Tag: opeth (Page 2 of 2)

Old Opeth don’t bare much resemblance to the band you see today. Their sound has developed way beyond the death metal band they set out to be. This is the bands’ second release from ’96, and the only surviving member from this release today is Mikael himself. It’s not a total growl fest, as there are still the lighter moments with clean vocals. There are also some acoustic and progressive elements to the music as we get more of today. After the release and tour for their previous album Orchid, the band were rehearsing and writing constantly and went quickly back into the studio to record this beast. There is a definite progression between the two records and the progressive elements are more focused here, but the riffs are still dark and aggressive. Mikael’s deep screams are amazing, and how he switches to cleans in a second is unreal.

My two favourite tracks are Nektar, and Black Rose Immortal, both taking up a side each. The riffs and the dynamics of these two songs is a step above the rest of the album IMHO. I’m a big fan of Opeth, and when you go back and listen to the older records, it’s great to see how they have evolved and progressed. This is the RSD release in shiny blue vinyl and it sounds crystal clear. A fantastic pressing.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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.

This is Opeth’s 12 studio outing, and the 4th without any death metal vocal. Not a concept album as such, but a more personal album lyrically for Mikael as he got divorced in 2016. This vinyl version of the album has two extra bonus tracks that are not on the CD. If you compare this to say Blackwater Park, which is a masterpiece of its genre, it’s like listening to two different bands. Such has been the shift in musical direction.

I, for one, love the more Prog elements to the music as I find it not as immediate, and it reveals its secrets over a longer period. I still listen to this album and it still sounds fresh and gives more – just like the first time I listened to it. It sounds almost medieval at times as the instrumentation and musicality are all over the map. Tracks like Persephone are more normal Prog metal fair, but tracks like The Wilde Flowers are venturing into folk territory. Parts of this album feel as though they were recorded in the seventies as the Prog rock vibe runs deep. Mikael’s voice is made for this music as his tone and range fit perfectly – as the title track shows. This is one of Opeth’s best tunes; from the opening keys, to the heavy riff and vocal, and the epic middle section. No one makes music quite like Opeth, and they have definitely found their niche.

I’m not sure how much of an inspiration his friend Steven Wilson is, but the beginning of The Seventh Sojourn could have been written by him. Strange Brew is the only track that Mikael has not written by himself – it’s a joint effort between him and guitarist Frederick Akesson. Another strong contender for best album track is A Fleeting Glance, with its choppy riff and heavier groove. Opeth don’t make bad records. They either make good or great records, and this is one of the good ones.

8/10 from The Grooveman.