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Martin Lopez (born in Sweden on May 20, 1978) is a drummer, known best for his nine years with the Swedish progressive death metal band Opeth.
Lopez was born in Sweden to Uruguayan settler parents of Spanish blood and later moved to Uruguay, then back to Sweden. He joined Opeth in 1998, after leaving viking death metal band Amon Amarth on whose album Once Sent From the Golden Hall he played. 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.
Lopez's frequent problems (such as a panic attack on Opeth's "Lamentations" tour) and diagnosis with blood poisoning are the effects of a rare disease which he has.
On May 12, 2006, Martin Lopez - due to health reasons - permanently left Opeth to be replaced by Martin Axenrot.
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