Album Rating: 2.5

I agree, this isn't particularly cohesive. The individual passages just don't mesh all that well. I don't think it's due to a overdose of theatrics tho, personally. However, I'm definitely finding the absence of memorable moments to be an issue - so maybe if it was less cluttered, a few passages might standout a bit more

yeah, that's a good way to put it. therfore, for me the closer works pretty well as it is just concentrating on writing a cohesive song instead of just another part of the story. I also think the opener and 6+7 do that better than most of the rest

Album Rating: 3.0

"I'm definitely finding the absence of memorable moments to be an issue"



this is my issue. I find there are almost no holy shit moments

Album Rating: 3.0

All I hear is ''growls are back'' but am I the only one to find them...lackluster? To the point where I am sincerely curious what this record would sound like without them. This just sounds like Newpeth + growls, while not adjusting the instrumentation in consequence. Feels unorganic to me.



New drummer slays though.

Disagreed about no standout moments

Definitely a very linear album but I feel like it flows really well. Nothing sounds jarring or forced

Album Rating: 3.0

nothing sounds like much of anything tho

Album Rating: 2.5

ThatDude nailed it. I agree entirely. (2)



I mean they’re not technically terrible or anything, I just don’t know understand their role in the context of the instrumentation etc.

I read an excerpt from a short interview with Mikael and he was frustrated feeling like people only liked Opeth for the growls

I understand where he’s coming from as an artist, it’s tough to have people reject your personal artistic journey and all that, but this album pretty much cements that it’s not just the lack of growls that a large contingent of fans don’t like, it’s that the newer music had and continues to have the quality of a thin vapor. There just isn’t much to it even though it is well made on a technical level

I enjoyed a few moments on this, but nothing more than me bobbing my head for 5 seconds only to be let down by the movement that follows. This band is cooked. Love ya Mikael

Album Rating: 2.5

yep, very fleeting moments of enjoyment and nothing is sustained. It’s weird how bringing the growls back has really solidified the idea of their obvious decline.



Heritage and ICV offered moments of hope and respite (for v different reasons), but generally they’re just not as inspired as they once were

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Im still iffy on their choice about bringing back growls. Part of me wished they didnt and they just stuck to their guns. Another part of me is glad to hear the growls in new tracks again but they arent implemented here as well as i would hope. The main thing i like about this record is that they managed to capture that atmosphere of earlier albums

growls or DIE

Album Rating: 4.0

If I have an issue with the growls its that Mikael's voice just lacks that relentless power it once did, however I think they add a contrast to the music that Opeth needs to be, well, Opeth. I'm fine with this being in the same musical vein as Progpeth, Pale Communion and Sorceress both had sections where growls would have added heavily to the music, and I'm glad Mikael learned that lesson. I really think treating this as back-to-the-roots Opeth does it a massive disservice, instead it deepens the prog sound they've been developing for the last decade

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Im calling it like i said in my sound off Progressive death rock



Also hope things have improved for you spec

Album Rating: 4.0

Easily one of their best albums actually

Album Rating: 4.0

I don't want to come off as a jerk, but saying that opeth is developing a prog sound the past decade sounds almost like you never listened to the first 20 years of the band

Album Rating: 4.0

Clearly there is a difference to how the band did prog pre-Watershed and how they've done it since, come on now

Album Rating: 3.0

"that the newer music had and continues to have the quality of a thin vapor."



All his rock albums have been stellar tho

Album Rating: 4.3

This album slays so hard some of you are smoking meth.

Album Rating: 2.9

That’s a terrible assumption.