Swedish progressive rock band Opeth have once again joined up with Northern Monk Brew Co. to launch their second beer, the Communion Pale Ale, on April 22nd.

Following on from their limited run of 2015’s XXV Anniversary Imperial Stout, Opeth have opted to take a different approach with their second beer as their choice in drinks is as varied as the music they create. Available in cans it’s a lighter beer than Opeth’s first offering, but still packs a punch full of flavour.

Head brewer Brian Dickson of Northern Monk Brew Co comments: "After the success of the XXV Anniversary Stout, it's great to be continuing our collaboration with the guys from Opeth This time we have come up with an easy drinking American Pale Ale with a solid UK malt backbone over which we layered lots of classic US hop varieties including Equinox and Citra. Expect pine, spice and all the punchy citrus you'd expect of the style, perfect gig refreshment!”  

The Northern Monk Co opened in late 2014 in Holbeck, Leeds and have quickly established themselves as producing some of the highest quality and exciting beers in the UK with their New World IPA, Northern Star Mocha Porter and Eternal Session IPA. Opeth and Northern Monk came together to celebrate the band’s 25th anniversary by producing last year’s XXV Anniversary Imperial Stout. The Communion Pale Ale is the second product to emerge from the collaboration between the band and brewery, as both parties realized they held similar ideals in how they approached their ‘craft’.

To celebrate the release, Northern Monk Brewery will be holding a free-entry release party at their tap-room in Leeds on April 22nd, from 6 PM Opeth guitarist Fredrik Akesson will also be there at the launch, celebrating the release of the Communion Pale Ale with a special DJ set.

Akesson comments: “The best drink in the world has now surprisingly got even better for life sustaining wealth! I hope to see you at the launch party on Friday April 22nd at the Northern Monk Refectory where you can enjoy some of our excellent Communion Pale Ale and I’m looking forward to spinning some tunes behind the DJ booth.”

On the night Northern Monk will be running a special launch offer for six cans of the Communion Pale Ale and a limited edition Opeth t-shirt for £25.
The Communion Pale Ale will initially only be available in the UK but Northern Monk Brew Co will be distributing it in 12 other countries over the next couple of months and it will be rolled out globally in time. Please note this is not a limited edition beer like the XXV Anniversary Stout so there will be plenty available.

If you’re based in the UK you can order online direct from Northern Monk Brew Co., here.

If you’re in the Leeds area you can visit the brewery and their tap room and pick up some beer in person – Northern Monk, The Old Flax Store, Marshalls Hill, Holbeck, LS11 9YJ.

Opeth will release their 25th anniversary commemorative book, Book Of Opeth, on April 15th via Rocket 88 Publishers based in the UK. It is available for pre-order at this location. Frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt offers a preview of the new book in the video below:

The book contains never before seen photos of the band's early days with full commentary from Mikael Åkerfeldt, Opeth original guitar player Peter Lindgren as well as former and current band members. The book spans the gamut of the band's colorful, rich twenty five year career paying close attention to detail from page one.

"There are photos in here I’ve never seen before," says Åkerfeldt. This sumptuously illustrated oral history presents the story of Opeth, from their earliest days until the present, in glorious dark colour. The book is told in the first-person by Mikael, the band, their friends, former members and collaborators and is illustrated throughout with hundreds of previously unseen, rare artworks and memorabilia. It includes early personal, candid, studio and live photographs, and an extensive illustrated discography.

Every copy of the first 4,000 books come with a vinyl pressing with acoustic versions of Atonement and Demon Of The Fall, which will only be available in the Book Of Opeth. The strictly limited edition, all numbered and signed by Mikael also includes three fine art prints by Opeth sleeve designer Travis Smith.

The Book of Opeth is the first official book to tell the true story of the band, by the band themselves. Mikael, Peter, both Martins, Fredrik, Joakim and former members have searched their memories and photo archives to contribute to this unique piece of work. Illustrated with photographs taken from their earliest days through to the recording of Pale Communion and beyond, this is Opeth as they have never been seen before. Band members cite their influences, recall their first days with the band and offer anecdotes and stories about each other that reveal the dynamics that have made up the band.

The book is sumptuously and lovingly packaged, and comes with otherwise unavailable recordings and images, is a true precious and rare item. Frank, funny, revealing and totally original, the Book of Opeth tells the story of one of rock’s most important, influential and original bands.

The Signature Edition:

- The Classic edition with a black-on-black cover 7” record exclusive to the book

- Limited edition of 500 hand-numbered sets

- Each set signed and numbered by Mikael Åkerfeldt

- Also includes three limited edition fine art prints by Travis Smith,

hand-numbered to match the book

- Presented in a clamshell box covered in black cloth with foil detailing

“There are pictures from pre-recording days, before we even had a contract, photos of us recording the first album, rocking out in our rehearsal room, getting our first tattoos; there’s loads of great stuff  in here...” - Mikael Åkerfeldt

The Classic Edition:

 - A large format, 208-page full-colour hardback, printed on heavy-weight art paper, bound in silk cloth with foil detailing

- Over 300 images, many of which are rare and previously unseen

 - 7” record exclusive to the book

More details, as well as pre-order opportunities at this location.

Opeth are set to play a one-off UK show at London's Wembley Arena this winter. The band are currently hard at work on their new album, the follow up to 2014's Pale Communion, which is pencilled for a release later this year.

Last year the band celebrated their 25th Anniversary with a string of special An Evening With... shows, that saw the band grace the stage of historic and celebrated venues such as London's Theatre Royal, LA's Orpheum and New York's Beacon Theater.

Mikael Akerfeldt states: "We have played Wembley Arena once before supporting Dream Theater but to be back on our own, so to speak, is a daunting yet exciting task. London has always been kind to us ever since our very early overseas shows, and I have no doubt that this will be yet another overwhelming experience. This will be the biggest show we have ever done on our own and we will approach it with our 25 years as a band in our luggage. It will be memorable and fantastic I have no doubt. I hope you'll be there to celebrate with us. A bunch of bums from Stockholm. Can't believe we're doing this. I'm nervous. Excited. Fucking hell! Opeth at Wembley Arena. Who would have thought?!"

The band will play the SSE Wembley Arena in London on Saturday, November 19th. General admission tickets and limited VIP packages at this location.

Opeth will headline New York City’s Radio City Music Hall on October 1st. VIP Upgrade packages are only available at Opeth.com.