Holy shit. This album is amazing.


It's not the Opeth of the past...but in my humble opinion they've completely redeemed themselves from the awkward Ghost Reveries, a trend exemplified in Damnation but truly begun with Blackwater Park.

Akesson and Axe do not dissapoint, and do a great job filling the legendary shoes of Lindgren and Lopez. Akesson brings a technical feel to the band, a very welcome twist; Axe lacks the finesse of his predecessor but brings new ideas and a certain brutality to an ornate band. Wiberg presents the keys much more tastefully this time around, I never once felt put off by the presence of synth. Akerfelt even brilliantly shares vocal duties in the opening track with a young female vocalist, who happens to be Axenrot's girlfriend.

But most impressive is Akerfelt's progression in writing; I was captivated from beginning to end. Maybe this was because I was so disappointed in the direction of the Ghost Reveries album that I've completely reformed my expectations of this band, or maybe the writing of this album is that revolutionary...either way, I'm impressed.

Coming from a fan of the blackest black metal and most brutal death, I highly recommend this album. And, oddly enough, my least favorite track is "Heir Apparent," the one so heavily promoted. Give it an honest shot, you won't be disappointed.

[Edited on August 6, 2008 at 6:10 AM. Reason : sdf]

8/6/2008 6:09:32 AM

who?

8/6/2008 6:10:46 AM

what?

8/6/2008 6:33:33 AM

capt crunch pizza

8/6/2008 6:35:44 AM

\m/

8/6/2008 7:49:38 AM

this is their worst cd.
only 3 tracks with growling?

3?

his clean vocals suck ass now. the songs on the bonus edition are terrible. Lotus eater is a great song. porcelain heart is that one riff for 5 minutes then the same riff from "The Grand Conjuration" for the last 4 minutes. and its not even a concept album. Burden is no better than a Scorpion song from the 70s

okay maybe orchid is worse but this cd is not good. i don't like frederik akesson either.


how could you think this is better than GR? The baying of the hounds & Beneath the mire...

8/6/2008 9:14:31 AM

I dunno...I just lost all hope for them maintaining the Opeth spirit of the past when GR was released. It was their "Metallica Black Album" for me. I guess by any standard it's a great album, but it just doesn't sit well with me and is my least favorite album to date. But it did prepare me for Watershed. Since I wasn't expecting a death metal band anymore, I came into it with an open mind, ready for whatever...and they definitely delivered.

It's incredibly well-written, the musicianship is a step up, and they break into new styles while retaining the characteristic Opeth style. It's a very deep album, seems to be one I'll be able to listen to and find new things in each time for a while to come. I wasn't disappointed in the lack of growling, I found it appropriate; there's nowhere else that really needs it. And Akerfeldt's clean vocals have come a LONG way.. there's only one part where I kindof cringe, but it's because I don't like the direction he took the vocal melody and not because he missed the note.

I love Akesson. I was worried he'd bludgeon an otherwise intricate band with Arch Enemy-style bullshit, but he was very tasteful while still introducing a technical side to the band that has never been.

And you don't like Orchid? Man I love that album.

GR is just too over-produced and ostentatious for my tastes...It has its moments, for sure...but it just seems to me that it's their temporarily-sober-bob-rock-production.

One thing this album is NOT though, and I'll definitely give you this...no instant gratification here. This is not an album I'd take with me for a run to the grocery store, no "Press Play...Commence Headbanging" here. This record takes a while to listen to and your full attention to appreciate,which is great, but I do miss the epic brutality of the past.

[Edited on August 6, 2008 at 2:40 PM. Reason : sfsd]

8/6/2008 2:34:53 PM

oops - need to clarify... in the OP when I said

Quote :

"And, oddly enough, my least favorite track is "Heir Apparent," the one so heavily promoted."

I meant Lotus Eater

and even that is only referring to the first half of the song

[Edited on August 6, 2008 at 4:11 PM. Reason : sdfsfa]

8/6/2008 3:49:22 PM

the solos in that song are soo good. almost as good as peter's.
Heir is pretty descent.

8/6/2008 3:51:11 PM