Martin Lopez

Martin Lopez (born in Sweden on May 20, 1978) is a drummer, known best for his nine years with the Swedish progressive metal band Opeth. Lopez was born in Sweden and later moved to Uruguay, then back to Sweden. When he was living in Uruguay, he played in a melodic black metal band called Requiem Aeternam with Martin Mendez, they can be heard on that band's first album Eternally Dying. He joined Opeth in 1998, after leaving the viking metal band Amon Amarth, with which he can be heard on the album Once Sent From the Golden Hall. With Opeth, he recorded the albums My Arms, Your Hearse, Still Life, Blackwater Park, Deliverance, Damnation and Ghost Reveries. His drumming on these albums showcase strong Latin influences, as well as some jazz influences. His versatility is shown when he deftly and quickly transitions from soft, melodic drumming to brutal, double pedal-powered death metal beats. One beat that can be found in many of Lopez's songs is a 6/8 clave, played on the ride and the snare, often over double pedal or the bass drum imitating the ride. According to the factsheet on Opeth's official website, Lopez currently endorses Premier drums and sticks, and Sabian cymbals. A diagnosis of blood poisoning and a rare disease which he has are the most probable cause of Lopez's frequent problems (such as his panic attack on Opeth's "Lamentations" tour). As of May 12th 2006, Martin Lopez has permanently left Opeth to be replaced by Martin Axenrot. Opeth frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt wishes the best for him, for Martin has assisted Opeth greatly throughout the years. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.