After writing material for their eighth album in late 2004 , the band rehearsed for three weeks before entering the studio , the first time they rehearsed since the 1998 album , My Arms , Your Hearse . Opeth finished writing material for its eighth album in late 2004 . The band rehearsed for three weeks before entering the studio , the first time the band rehearsed since the 1998 album , My Arms , Your Hearse .