Storm Corrosion
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Mikael Åkerfeldt, Steven Wilson |
| Defunct | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Sweden, United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums |
| Parent | Roadrunner Records |
Storm Corrosion emerged as a joint venture between Swedish artist Mikael Åkerfeldt of the progressive metal group Opeth and English musician Steven Wilson from the progressive rock ensemble Porcupine Tree. Their collaboration originated in 2001 when Wilson took on production duties for Opeth's fifth release, Blackwater Park. The duo began composing together in 2010 and unveiled their only studio album, Storm Corrosion, in 2012 under the Roadrunner Records label.
The album received widespread critical praise and represented a notable stylistic departure for both musicians. Eschewing the notion of a progressive metal supergroup, they delved into obscure influences such as Comus and Scott Walker. No touring or subsequent projects were arranged, with both artists returning to focus on their main bands.
Origins
Mikael Åkerfeldt first encountered Steven Wilson in the mid-1990s after his friend Jonas Renkse introduced him to Porcupine Tree's The Sky Moves Sideways. Later, Wilson reached out to Åkerfeldt upon receiving a copy of Opeth's Still Life, which led to a meeting in London where Åkerfeldt invited Wilson to produce Opeth’s upcoming album. This encounter laid the foundation for their enduring collaboration.
Wilson went on to produce three Opeth albums—Blackwater Park, Deliverance, and Damnation—and mixed three additional records, including Heritage. Åkerfeldt contributed guitar and vocals on Porcupine Tree’s Deadwing. The two bands co-headlined a North American tour in 2003. Although their joint project was announced in 2006, actual writing sessions commenced only in March 2010 on an irregular basis. Drummer Mike Portnoy was initially considered but ultimately excluded due to the project's minimal drum usage. The name Storm Corrosion was officially adopted in early 2011.
Storm Corrosion era (2010–2012)
Following more than a year of songwriting, Storm Corrosion’s debut album reached completion in September 2011. The partnership signed with Roadrunner Records in February 2012, revealing plans to release their self-titled record on 24 April, later postponed to 8 May. Åkerfeldt focused on guitar contributions while Wilson managed keyboards and arrangements. Drumming duties were provided sparingly by Gavin Harrison of Porcupine Tree, featuring on approximately 15–20% of the tracks. Both artists described the creative process as balanced, with equal input from each. Wilson characterized the album as part of a thematic trilogy alongside Opeth’s Heritage and his solo work Grace for Drowning, all launched between 2011 and 2012.
The promotional lead single "Drag Ropes" was made available on YouTube on 24 April. The album garnered critical acclaim and earned nominations for Prog magazine’s Album of the Year as well as Best Surround Sound Album at the 2012 Grammy Awards. Åkerfeldt and Wilson decided against touring or performing live under Storm Corrosion, although Wilson occasionally included "Drag Ropes" during his Hand. Cannot. Erase. tour. While open to future collaborations, no immediate plans for additional Storm Corrosion releases were announced.
In 2019, Åkerfeldt revealed conversations regarding a potential follow-up album, indicating it would probably explore a notably different musical direction.
Musical style
Although both Mikael Åkerfeldt and Steven Wilson have roots in heavy metal and progressive rock, they intentionally steered Storm Corrosion away from being classified as progressive metal. Wilson emphasized that the music diverged greatly from their earlier projects, including Opeth's Damnation. This collaboration provided an opportunity to delve into obscure inspirations such as Comus, Popol Vuh, Univers Zero, Steve Reich, David Crosby, Talk Talk, and Scott Walker.
Storm Corrosion’s musical approach is characterized by ambient textures combined with orchestral elements. Åkerfeldt described the sound as "intense, profound, exhausting, and frightening," whereas Wilson referred to it as "strange, mellow, and unsettling." Critics have noted its "eerie gloom" reminiscent of 1970s avant-garde experimental music, labeling it both "experimental" and "unhinged," yet recognizing it as an "undeniable success" with a "broad, flowing sound tinged with folk influences."
Discography
| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | US | ||
| 2012 | Storm Corrosion
|
45 | 47 |