How very clever of the randomizer to pick this today – it’s the 21st anniversary of its release. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the album that brought death metal to the masses. Now, I know a lot of people don’t like death metal because of the deep screams, but when they are done to emphasize the light and dark within songs, then it makes perfect sense. Opeth have always been more than an ordinary death metal band. The musicality has always been above any other band, and in this album, everything came together perfectly.
The Steven Wilson production and mix lifts the music and puts the spotlight on the melody and intricacies of the band (that were somewhat lost before). Make no mistake, this is the finest album of the genre and tracks like The Leper Affinity, The Drapery Falls and Blackwater Park are genre defining tracks. Take away Mikael’s growls, and you have an amazing progressive metal band – in fact – now the screams have gone completely and the band are just a great progressive band. The twelve minutes plus of the title track is as good as it gets. The twists and turns within the music, and the groove and rhythmic changes – you will not hear better.
There is no other band like Opeth. They are unique and instantly recognizable, which is a very hard thing to be in today’s music flooded world. I heartily approve this addition to everyone’s collection, and you should acquire it immediately.
10/10 from The Grooveman.
