Metal Hammer’s Defenders Of The Faith extravaganza got off to a flying start in Birmingham last night. Speaking exclusively to Metal Hammer before the bands hit the stage, Opeth frontman Mikael Akerfeldt shared our excitement on what’s sure to be an incredible tour.

“We are really looking forward to the tour.’ said Akerfeldt. ‘Its a great lineup and we get to play one of the new songs from Watershed which is exciting for us. We get to meet new people and hang with old friends. We have toured with DevilDriver before and we love those guys.”

It’s a feeling certainly shared by Devildriver vocalist Dez Fafara who plans on cracking open a bottle of claret with the Opeth boys as soon as possible.

“This tour is going to be awesome.’ says Fafara. ‘Opeth are so refreshing and out of the box its always good to play with them. I love Mike – he’s always good to hang with and share some wine and such a talented musician. If there’s ever gonna be another Led Zeppelin, its Opeth.”

Stay tuned to www.metalhammer.co.uk for more on the road exclusives from this blistering line-up.