(Progressive Rock) Opeth - D*mnation

[RideTheSpiral]

Reviewed Damnation by Opeth


Opeth are a four piece from Sweden and in my option one of the most talented group of guys in metal today. They have their roots in Death Metal but this album is an experimentation with their mellow alter ego.

Drummer Martin Lopez and Singer Mikael Akerfeldt are the glue that hold the band together and in this album it is especially obvious, they blend perfectly and the guitar, drums and vocals are a treat to listen to.

Track by track

Windowpane 7:44
What a song! This song is definitely in my top five Opeth songs of all time which is saying a lot. The most progressive song on the album and it is simply brilliant. Martin Lopez displays his versatility as a drummer with this jazzy beat. One minute into the song it lapses into a completely unexpected guitar solo and the song finishes to some of the best guitar and vocal work Opeth have produced.

In My Time Of Need 5:49
The first song I heard from the album and it’s another amazing track. Very haunting vocals displayed by Mikael Akerfeldt and the talent of the band is on show again.

Death Whispered a Lullaby 5:49
Another brilliant track. Written by Steven Wilson from Porcupine Tree it is the darkest song on the album. Very interesting guitar work and Mikael’s vocals again are the highlights.

Closure 5:15
The Middle Eastern, almost Kashmir-like feel to Closure adds another dimension to the album. A very sad song, which is the trend of the album.

Hope Leaves 4:30
Very nice song. Mikael’s vocals shine again.

To Rid The Disease 6:21
Incredible song, my second favourite. This is Opeth’s piece de resistance, breathtaking song and perfect structure.

Ending Credits 3:39
Nice instrumental piece with excellent Spanish guitar, another very different track.

Weakness 4:08
My least favourite song on the album. Muted vocals and piano are the order of the day here. Still a very good song however.


This album is simply stunning and when compared to Opeth’s other work even more so. Opeth have managed to produce the most sad and beautiful album possible. For those who dislike Opeth they should give this album a listen, not just the songs but the album in its entirety. It flows through every emotion and captures them perfectly. The structure and sequencing is perfect and every song is art. If I had to pick one flaw with the album it would be its length but that is more or less irrelevant.

I will this much, if Opeth decided to call it quits this would be the perfect farewell album.

Highly recommended.

5/5

[TonyChoyIsGod]

Opeth is definatly one of my top 5 favorite bands. I saw them twice, once on the Deliverance tour and on the Damnation Tour. I've got all their albums, and if you are a fan of their more melodic stuff, definatly pick it up. The only downside I found with the album is that after you listen to it enough, the songs start to sound the same

4/5

[savarious]

This is my favorite CD purchase of the year. I can't get enough of it. IMO, this album is something that just about anyone can get into.

5/5

[Kaden]

So, if I had a choice between this, Lateralus (Tool), or Chaosphere (Mehuggah), I should get this?

[talk show host]

Yes

Great cd. Hope Leaves is my favourite 4/5

[d0ped0g]

yeah great cd
i think it didnt highlight opeths acoustics enough tho
although it was the first cd i have ever heard... after listening to ALL the opeth cds... if i had known them before, i wouldve expected more "To Bid You Farewell"esque acoustics... or at least one that matched its brilliance. Although the acoustics on the album are still VERY good.

Top 3 Songs:
Hope Leaves
Windowpane
To Rid the Disease

[caughtoffanoball]

"So, if I had a choice between this, Lateralus (Tool), or Chaosphere (Mehuggah), I should get this?"

PLEASE! GET LATERALUS! Infinitely more complex and beautiful. An incredible album. Then get chaosphere - one of the most intricate and intense metal albums i have heard. Both albums have amazing lyrics which really make you think...

[Kaden]

Originally posted by caughtoffanoball
"So, if I had a choice between this, Lateralus (Tool), or Chaosphere (Mehuggah), I should get this?"

PLEASE! GET LATERALUS! Infinitely more complex and beautiful. An incredible album. Then get chaosphere - one of the most intricate and intense metal albums i have heard. Both albums have amazing lyrics which really make you think...

I actually did get Lateralus without even seeing this post. I agree, it's completely awesome.

[Prowler01]

The only downside I found with the album is that after you listen to it enough, the songs start to sound the same

4/5

D*mn right!

[refnulf]

Impressive review, but you shouldn't have said "This album is simply stunning and when compared to Opeth’s other work even more so". Other Opeth albums have nothing in common with this album, except maybe the mandatory 70s prog rock track per album.

[sensitiveorgan00]

Good review, :thumb: I want to buy this album, but I spent so much cash this year though. :upset:

[Kaden]

HA! I got the album for Christmas, and it's amazing. Really makes me wanna hear some of Opeth's heavy stuff. My favorite song is Closure.

5/5

[streamline]

its a good album for sure, but without the heavy side of opeth i feel like i've been cheated, and that the band is holding back.......

but it is really good stuff nonetheless, but lets face it, lets hope opeth never do an album like this again - progressive death metal is where they truely shine - making just a clean or just a heavy album is not the band, that is not their sound, that is not them,,,,,,

[TheHandOfone]

^^^^^ i agree ....i liked this album ...but i kept waiting for it to get heavy ..and it just pissed me off

3.7/5

[Maveryck]

5/5

One of the greatest albums ever made.

Favourite track = Windowpane. That first solo is mindblowingly well done.

[PIGS(1 different one)]

It is good, but I do not really like Opeth's last 3 releases as much as the first four, and especially Orchid and Morningrise.
This album got old for me quick, and I hardly ever listen to it anymore.
All the songs kinda sound the same, and the album is not diverse at all.
Don't get me wrong, Opeth is my favorite band, but this is the album that was made to draw in more people to their music, and it worked.

2.9/5

[Four Ton Mantis]

Windowpane and Closure, I find stunningly beautiful.

4.7/5 :smoke:

[mexicanfloydian]

This is a great album , but compared to the other opeth albums, it isn't that impressive.
Good review.

[br3ad_man]

Good album. Opeth are cool.

[twinkles]

i just bought blackwater park today

and i love it........ opeth rules

[Happymeal]

I hope to get this one and Blackwater Park too. Deliverance is freakin' hard to digest as a first time Opeth listener.

[manuscriptreplica]

I would give this a 4/5, mainly because of the short length. 7:44 being the longest track for an Opeth CD? At that length, it's usually the shortest.

[splashfreak]

I have a REALLY dumb question, but what exactly is progressive rock?

[manuscriptreplica]

It's rock, but with extra stuff, that calling it rock wouldn't be right. This album isn't really a good indicator of what prog rock is, try a Yes or King Crimson CD.

[splashfreak]

Oh, Yes is prog rock? Nevermind, then. I never knew they were prog.

[Dancin' Man]

Closure is my least favorite track. Just doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the album

[spuddles]

just picked it up today. i think its incredible. its so orgasmic lol.

[sum1soiledMyBongos]

I love this. It may lack the dynamics that their other albums have because of the lack of metal, but nevertheless it's just full of top quality music. Not very complex, but very moody and with a great sense of structure. I like the production too.
I've burned copies for several people and they all really liked it too (including my mom, lol)

[Iai]

I played Windowpane for my Music exam last year, along with Master Of Puppets and Motorcycle Emptiness (Manic Street Preachers). I got an A, too. Man, I rock.

[Kaden]

Closure = best song on this album.

[Lateralias]

Closure = best song on this album.

I agree, the middle eastern'ish part of the song is amazing. I totally new side of music that Opeth randomly threw into that song, and I love it.

Favorite Songs:
Closure
Windowpane
To Rid The Disease
Also In My Time of Need is a great song, I love how Mikael does the verse in syllables :thumb:

[TTTSNB]

I love this album. Its so intricate and beautiful. Sometimes I get bored listening to it though ,so 4.5/5

[Gubbe]

i have downloaded closure and its awesome
but it ends very suddenly
is that normal or do i have the wrong version

[Gubbe]

oh, and can someone name all the opeth songs with no deathmetal in it? Cause i hate that, grunt is so aweful.

[manuscriptreplica]

Closure ends rather abruptly, you have the right track.

And this CD is full of non death metal growls. There are a few various tracks from the other albums with clean vocals, that I can't be bothered listing.

[Gubbe]

why does closure ends abruptly??
that is so ugly..

[Iai]

Benighted is the best Opeth track that's completely clean. Try Face Of Melinda too.

[Lumiere]

I loved this CD to bits when I first got it, now I'm not so keen on it. Still a **** good album though.

[Dancin' Man]

Benighted and To Rid the Disease are my two favorite non metal Opeth songs. Damnation should have had a few singles. Songs like In My Time of Need could have been big. A very radio friendly album

[Iai]

Windowpane was a single, I believe.

[Dancin' Man]

Bad choice. It's too long for a good single. Awesome song but it should stay on the album. The jazzy drums don't help either. Nor do the double solos. Oh well.