MTV.com has confirmed that OPETH have finalized a deal with Roadrunner Records, a label who’s lineup already boasts such acts as SLIPKNOT, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, and CRADLE OF FILTH. The Swedish metallers are nearing completion on their eighth album and first for their new label. The as-yet-untitled effort will be their first with touring keyboardist Per Wiberg (SPIRITUAL BEGGARS) as a permanent member and their first album since 2003’s acoustic endeavor, Damnation.

Frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt comments on the new material: “Musically, Damnation was an experiment for us. It also helped us to develop our sound. So this time around, you can say the overall record is going to be heavy-sounding. There’s also a couple of songs that are more in the style of Damnation, so to speak. We also have a new member in the band, our keyboard player, Per Wiberg. So we have some vintage keyboards this time around on the heavy material as well. Overall, this one is heavy.”

Some songtitles to appear on the new album are “Ghost of Tradition,” “The Baying of the Hounds” and “Isolation Years.”

Åkerfeldt said OPETH will finish the record before month’s end and expect to release it as early as late August. He also said they’ll play some new material this summer as part of the inaugural Sounds of the Underground tour.

“We’ve never done anything like [a festival tour] before, but this is a new thing, so we’re excited,” he said. “It’s a good chance to reach out to people who’ve never heard from us. I’m also looking forward to seeing STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and CLUTCH perform. Many of the bands on the tour I’ve never heard of.”