(Progressive Rock) Opeth - D*mnation

RideTheSpiral · 11-18-2003, 10:10 PM

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 · 11-18-2003, 10:43 PM

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 · 11-19-2003, 07:51 AM

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 · 11-19-2003, 11:20 AM

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

talk show host · 11-19-2003, 12:34 PM

Yes

Great cd. Hope Leaves is my favourite 4/5

d0ped0g · 11-20-2003, 02:49 AM

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 · 11-24-2003, 02:41 AM

"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 · 11-24-2003, 06:27 PM

Quote:

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 · 12-30-2003, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyChoyIsGod

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 · 12-30-2003, 12:01 PM

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 · 12-30-2003, 01:37 PM

Good review,

I want to buy this album, but I spent so much cash this year though.

Kaden · 12-30-2003, 03:04 PM

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 · 02-04-2004, 05:32 PM

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 · 02-05-2004, 03:05 AM

^^^^^ 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 · 02-06-2004, 01:50 AM

5/5

One of the greatest albums ever made.

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

PIGS(1 different one) · 02-08-2004, 02:08 PM

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 · 02-10-2004, 03:37 AM

Windowpane and Closure, I find stunningly beautiful.

4.7/5

mexicanfloydian · 08-14-2004, 06:47 PM

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

br3ad_man · 08-14-2004, 08:50 PM

Good album. Opeth are cool.

twinkles · 08-27-2004, 06:27 AM

i just bought blackwater park today

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

11-18-2003, 10:10 PM	#1
RideTheSpiral RideTheSpiral Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Adelaide, SA Posts: 14,020	*(Progressive Rock) Opeth - Dmnation** 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

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11-18-2003, 10:43 PM	#2
TonyChoyIsGod CO Bassist MX Jazz Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Celestial Terrestial Commuters Posts: 3,366	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

11-19-2003, 07:51 AM	#3
savarious o Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: VA Posts: 802	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

11-19-2003, 11:20 AM	#4
Kaden Little Nancy Callahan Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 8,550	So, if I had a choice between this, Lateralus (Tool), or Chaosphere (Mehuggah), I should get this?

11-19-2003, 12:34 PM	#5
talk show host not your damned apples Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 9,367	Yes Great cd. Hope Leaves is my favourite 4/5

11-20-2003, 02:49 AM	#6
d0ped0g RRRRAAAAWWWWRRRR!!!!! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,862	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

11-24-2003, 02:41 AM	#7
caughtoffanoball not out Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 37	"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...

12-30-2003, 12:01 PM	#10
refnulf Doom! Doom! Doom! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Peshawar, Pakistan Posts: 176	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.

12-30-2003, 01:37 PM	#11
sensitiveorgan00 Birds on Fire Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 3,568	Good review, I want to buy this album, but I spent so much cash this year though.

12-30-2003, 03:04 PM	#12
Kaden Little Nancy Callahan Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 8,550	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

02-04-2004, 05:32 PM	#13
streamline Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 16	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,,,,,,

02-05-2004, 03:05 AM	#14
TheHandOfone GO AWAY! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 405	^^^^^ i agree ....i liked this album ...but i kept waiting for it to get heavy ..and it just pissed me off 3.7/5

02-06-2004, 01:50 AM	#15
Maveryck Sith happens. Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 13,929	5/5 One of the greatest albums ever made. Favourite track = Windowpane. That first solo is mindblowingly well done.

02-08-2004, 02:08 PM	#16
PIGS(1 different one) ... Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 9,626	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

02-10-2004, 03:37 AM	#17
Four Ton Mantis Cake or death? Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 823	Windowpane and Closure, I find stunningly beautiful. 4.7/5

08-14-2004, 06:47 PM	#18
mexicanfloydian Welcome to the machine Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chihuahua, Mexico Posts: 1,181	This is a great album , but compared to the other opeth albums, it isn't that impressive. Good review.

08-14-2004, 08:50 PM	#19
br3ad_man out of touch Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 14,634	Good album. Opeth are cool.

08-27-2004, 06:27 AM	#20
twinkles Bleh Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 71	i just bought blackwater park today and i love it........ opeth rules