I really like Lopez's drumming on GR...but that's just me.

[QUOTE=Cain]One thing that I have noticed is that ever since Still Life, whenever Mikael plays a chord-based rhythm, it tends to use the EXACT SAME rhythm. Duuh-duh-duh-duh-duh! Duuh-duh-duh-duh-duh![/QUOTE]
I don't see this at all, but whatever.

[QUOTE]I can see the critiques about heavy/acoustic relationships on this album. I see the keyboards replacing the guitar leads that added so much mood to previous efforts, and since the keyboards haven't become an integral part of Opeth's sound yet the focus is on the admittedly weak rhythm writing (which was always there to an extent, but there were sufficient embellishments to overlook it, in a sense). [/QUOTE]
I don't think the keyboards took the place of lead guitar, they just act to enhance the mood.

[QUOTE]I have confidence that the excellence of writing will resume when Opeth returns to focusing on creating moods and feelings rather than an idea of what their sound should be. [/QUOTE]
Well, considering how often they change their sound, I think it'll be hard to truly master one style.

[QUOTE]Mikael has been notoriously impatient with styles when he feels that they can be taken as far as they can go (as with Morningrise) but on the last few albums I feel like he's been promising drastic change and we haven't gotten it, really. The result is still very high quality but it doesn't mean that he's lived up to the promise. [/QUOTE]
This I agree completely with.

[QUOTE]Catch-22[/QUOTE]
Reading this book. Kicks As[B]s[/B].

[QUOTE]Also, I've come to the conclusion that Lopez's drumming style is almost entirely inappropriate to a metal setting at this point. It's a virtuosic drum style in the context of rock and heavy jazz, but for metal music the heavy focus on the ride cymbal--not to mention the general sixteenth feel of his beats, leaving no room for any groove or "hot space"--just KILLS the headbanging potential of some of Ghost Reveries' riffs.
I disagree with this as well. I really love the drums on TGC and GOP. It's a unique style, but I think it fits perfectly.
[/QUOTE]
Who said we are all fanboys who love eveything they do :) .

That was a great post though, even though I disagree with 90% of it :lol: .

I like his drumming on the softer parts of the cd, (like the first soft verses to TGC, they really add to the atmosphere) but the heavy parts lacked double bass..

[QUOTE=Det_Nosnip]Such as? I'm failing to remember any instances where I felt that way at all. I personally think Lopez's style fits the band perfectly and miss him sorely. Although I will agree that he shines during the lighter moments - his best playing by far was on the Dam nation record - I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing. Quite simply, the Dam nation record would not be what it was without Lopez on it, and I value the album just as much as the others, although Still Life is my personal favorite.[/QUOTE]

One reason why I think Opeth is Opeth is because they are not of the "norm" of metal. It's hard to classify them musically, but they are definitely under the genre of metal. It doesn't mean they have to conform to all the stereotypes that make up metal such as its catches, hooks, and whatever else makes up metal. That's what I love about Opeth. THEY ARE DIFFERENT!

With that being said, I love Martin Lopez's drumming. I don't care if it's metal or not, he makes up a huge portion of "OPETH." He is definitely a great part of opeth and makes Opeth the diverse band they are. It would suck if there was a drummer drumming 300 bpm with blast beats in opeth's songs, it would ruin the feel of the songs IMO.

Also with Opeth being different, I love Ghost Reveries compositions. Sure I wish there were more heavier songs rather than ****ation type songs such as Atonement, but the album IMO is solid and proves Opeth's diversity and non-corformity to the metal genre. This proves to me that Opeth is still being Opeth. Thank you Opeth!

[QUOTE=bball_1523]One reason why I think Opeth is Opeth is because they are not of the "norm" of metal. It's hard to classify them musically, but they are definitely under the genre of metal. It doesn't mean they have to conform to all the stereotypes that make up metal such as its catches, hooks, and whatever else makes up metal. That's what I love about Opeth. THEY ARE DIFFERENT!

With that being said, I love Martin Lopez's drumming. I don't care if it's metal or not, he makes up a huge portion of "OPETH." He is definitely a great part of opeth and makes Opeth the diverse band they are. It would suck if there was a drummer drumming 300 bpm with blast beats in opeth's songs, it would ruin the feel of the songs IMO.

Also with Opeth being different, I love Ghost Reveries compositions. Sure I wish there were more heavier songs rather than ****ation type songs such as Atonement, but the album IMO is solid and proves Opeth's diversity and non-corformity to the metal genre. This proves to me that Opeth is still being Opeth. Thank you Opeth![/QUOTE]
Good stuff. We seem to agree completely on these matters.

[QUOTE=Creeping_Deth]Good stuff. We seem to agree completely on these matters.[/QUOTE]
Unlike me and you eh Deth... the only thing we've agreed on is that riff with the pinch harmonic on Serenity Painted Death is awesome... :lol: :p

mmmm.... Opeth.... mmm... *drools*

I don't like sub-genre's of metal (black, death, extreme, etc.) that much, but I do enjoy melodic metal. but Opeth is by FAR my FAVORITE metal band of any kind. this kid in an intensive out-patient group (fancy name for group therapy) turned me on to them, and I thank him for it. IMO Opeth>all other metal band of any genre

EDIT: my favorite song is "Black Rose Immortal"

[Quote]Remember when Deliverance was supposed to be their heaviest album ever and ****ation was going to be a full exploration of their acoustic side? Remember when Ghost Reveries was supposed to be a black metal album?[/Quote]

I think that your expectations were a little too high and are distorting how you view these albums. I personally don't remember too much hype about either deliverence or ****ation. As I understood it then is how I understand it now--D&D were a detour in the Opeth discography. These albums didn't progress sonically, they instead focused on refining/fleshing out("exploring") an already existing sound--the one that we heard on Blackwater Park. Furthermore both albums were written and recorded shortly after Blackwater Park, so how much could we truthfully expect--regardless of hype.

I also recall Mike stating in an interview shortly after the release or during the recording of D&D, that writing songs was no longer a gargantuan task for him--musical ideas began to become easier to express. So its very possible that D&D may have actually been (rather than a detour) a neccessary stepping stone. Although the sound certainly didn't change much, Mikael still may have progressed as a musician.

Onto Opeth's latest effort,Ghost Reveries ;) The album as I see it certainly marks a new era for Opeth and is in sharp constrast with D&D--two rather stagnant albums--in terms of progression of course. Ghost Reveries is most definitely rooted in Opeth's established sound, but it also takes that step forward. Its NOT "Blackwater Park: Just in case you missed it".

The further integration of keys, a stronger vocal emphasis, and heck even Martin Lopez's drumming on GR (as well as many other things) are largely uncharted territory for opeth and each provide avenues for progression. I think you were expecting something radical with this album and Opeth instead gave you something natural--a gradual progression from BWP.

[Quote]Also, I've come to the conclusion that Lopez's drumming style is almost entirely inappropriate to a metal setting at this point. It's a virtuosic drum style in the context of rock and heavy jazz, but for metal music the heavy focus on the ride cymbal--not to mention the general sixteenth feel of his beats, leaving no room for any groove or "hot space"--just KILLS the headbanging potential of some of Ghost Reveries' riffs.[/Quote]

I personally felt that Lopez's drumming on GR, coupled with his performance on ****ation solidify his position in Opeth. I love his style, and that's a subjective feeling for sure (and that's where I'm coming from a subjective opinion), but I can't fathom a better fit for Opeth right now.

And I have a feeling you had those thoughts in ya for a while :lol: Thanks for putting them out there :thumb:

Good post. (just letting you know I read it... :p)

haha, I guess bitching works :lol: I don't want charity though, that's demeaning :p

I actually kind of agree with most of that post this time around... unlike last time. I still don't care that much for Ghost Reveries though, (THOUGH I DO LIKE SOME PARTS!! :evil: )

I've been really into Ghost Reveries. I think it has a pretty distinctive sound to it. I wish they would have made a video for Ghost Reveries or Reverie/Harlequin Forest instead of The Grand Conjuration.

[QUOTE=UpperDecker]I've been really into Ghost Reveries. I think it has a pretty distinctive sound to it. I wish they would have made a video for Ghost Reveries or Reverie/Harlequin Forest instead of The Grand Conjuration.[/QUOTE]
I don't think Opeth and videos really mix. A well-done video of an Opeth song COULD be good, but I think the mental pictures and atmospheres their music creates would be much better than any video. Each album takes me into a sort of sub-universe of its own, and having a video would mess that up.

A video for the last couple Still Life songs would be sweet though.

Master's Apprentice has one of the coolest riffs i've ever heard. The one that starts off the song. That song jams!

[QUOTE=Jude]I don't think Opeth and videos really mix. A well-done video of an Opeth song COULD be good, but I think the mental pictures and atmospheres their music creates would be much better than any video. Each album takes me into a sort of sub-universe of its own, and having a video would mess that up.

A video for the last couple Still Life songs would be sweet though.[/QUOTE]

Godheads Lament!

[QUOTE=UpperDecker]Master's Apprentice has one of the coolest riffs i've ever heard. The one that starts off the song. That song jams![/QUOTE]
I love that riff so much, and it's so simple to play! It's prety much the most straight-forward riff I've heard from Opeth, and I've heard everything. :p

[QUOTE=Jude]I don't think Opeth and videos really mix. A well-done video of an Opeth song COULD be good, but I think the mental pictures and atmospheres their music creates would be much better than any video. Each album takes me into a sort of sub-universe of its own, and having a video would mess that up.

A video for the last couple Still Life songs would be sweet though.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, if I had any knowledge of Flash and any artistic talent, I would make a video to play alongside the entire album.

[QUOTE=Creeping_Deth]Yeah, if I had any knowledge of Flash and any artistic talent, I would make a video to play alongside the entire album.[/QUOTE]
I totally would too, but honestly you have to admit no video could do justice to the mental images Opeth creates.

Problably a dumb question but since i just satrted listening to them i guess its justifyable: Did they do music for the Diablo computer games?

[QUOTE]I totally would too, but honestly you have to admit no video could do justice to the mental images Opeth creates.[/QUOTE]

i think the video was well done, i hate how they shortend the song though

[QUOTE]One thing that I have noticed is that ever since Still Life, whenever Mikael plays a chord-based rhythm, it tends to use the EXACT SAME rhythm. Duuh-duh-duh-duh-duh! Duuh-duh-duh-duh-duh![/QUOTE]

in "the moor" he does that but thats the only song i can recall him doing that in. i think it sound might good too.


[QUOTE]Master's Apprentice has one of the coolest riffs i've ever heard. The one that starts off the song. That song jams![/QUOTE]

ive only listened to still life, blackwater park, ****ation, and ghost and i dont know song names too well but im gonna check and listen to that song right now on my dell dj

[QUOTE=Cliff Em All]Problably a dumb question but since i just satrted listening to them i guess its justifyable: Did they do music for the Diablo computer games?[/QUOTE]
No. :confused:

I used to be addicted to that game and played it 24/7, and I don't remember anything sounding similar to Opeth.

[QUOTE=Damien Rhodes]No. :confused:

I used to be addicted to that game and played it 24/7, and I don't remember anything sounding similar to Opeth.[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't know, but I seriously doubt Opeth would have their music be used in a game. Especially not a lame clickfest like Diablo.

Which rhythm are you guys talking about? I can't seem to pin down which riffs you're referring to?

[QUOTE=Jude]I wouldn't know, but I seriously doubt Opeth would have their music be used in a game. Especially not a lame clickfest like Diablo.

Which rhythm are you guys talking about? I can't seem to pin down which riffs you're referring to?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Me]Drapery falls intro, Demon of the Fall intro, When riff right before the solo, TNATSW Emin-Esus2 riff (if I recall correctly). I could probably put more down if I went through every song.[/QUOTE]

It's half then 4 sixteenths repeated.

am i the only one who can't stop listening to benighted, such a nice song.

I just saw the video for The Grand Conjuration.

What the crap was that? :confused:

[QUOTE=Jude]Especially not a lame clickfest like Diablo.[/QUOTE]
Diablo I & II were so goood.

I can't wait for a Diablo III (If there will be?). Sorry about the spam :D

[QUOTE=Cliff Em All]Problably a dumb question but since i just satrted listening to them i guess its justifyable: Did they do music for the Diablo computer games?[/QUOTE]
Actually, I've always thought that the music in the first area (foresty places) in Diablo II sound STRONGLY like Opeth's acoustic work.

[QUOTE=Shattered_Future]I just saw the video for The Grand Conjuration.

What the crap was that? :confused:[/QUOTE]

It was crap. The band had little if anything to do with its production and they don't like it either, from what I've heard.

Diablo is crap. All you do is click on monsters and press a button to chug potions until you win. Recently people in my dorm have started playing this game Dungeon Siege 2 which is pretty much just Diablo in 3D and on a network. I can't see the attraction of these games.

I thought the video was pretty cool. I mean its new Opeth and on tv so who cares, at least they're getting played.

Yes, but that's good AND bad, which goes along with an idea i got when I saw Ghost Reveries in Hot Topic.

Sure, Opeth is getting more publicity.

But soon, they will be whored by all teenage mallcore fanboys who claim Opeth to be their "favorite band", and think that Opeth is a "totally k00l new band" with Ghost Reveries as their debut.

THAT I don't want to happen at any cost.

Anyone going to the Opeth/Nevermore tour?

[QUOTE=Scoot]Anyone going to the Opeth/Nevermore tour?[/QUOTE]

I wish, but the show closest to me is on a Monday, so I can't :upset:

[QUOTE=Scoot]Anyone going to the Opeth/Nevermore tour?[/QUOTE]
Hopefully I will be.

[QUOTE=UpperDecker]I thought the video was pretty cool. I mean its new Opeth and on tv so who cares, at least they're getting played.[/QUOTE]


Just because it's [I]new[/I], no matter how crappy it is, doesn't mean it's good. Of course it's new Opeth, but the video isn't all that great, IMO.

[QUOTE=Shattered_Future]Yes, but that's good AND bad, which goes along with an idea i got when I saw Ghost Reveries in Hot Topic.

Sure, Opeth is getting more publicity.

But soon, they will be whored by all teenage mallcore fanboys who claim Opeth to be their "favorite band", and think that Opeth is a "totally k00l new band" with Ghost Reveries as their debut.

THAT I don't want to happen at any cost.[/QUOTE]
I wouldn't worry too much about that. Those kids don't have the attention span for it.

Yeah. The preppy "aww abercrombie" mall boys will go back to their green day records after 5 minutes. They won't have the pationence to listen to a whole song by opeth much less a whole album. Nor understand its musical brillence.

Who listens to a song for 10 minutes? It's so boring. I'll just stick to my 3 minute pop-punk songs that are so much more hardcore than a bunch of stupid metal guys who play the same thing for three times that long. Sheesh.

[QUOTE=Scruples]Who listens to a song for 10 minutes? It's so boring. I'll just stick to my 3 minute pop-punk songs that are so much more hardcore than a bunch of stupid metal guys who play the same thing for three times that long. Sheesh.[/QUOTE]

You think thats just a lil bit ignorant?
Opeth songs evolve over the song. Plus to even compare Opeth to pop punk, makes me question wether you even have a brain. If you can't hear the difference you are not only stupid but deaf.

[QUOTE=Man_Made_God]You think thats just a lil bit ignorant?
Opeth songs evolve over the song. Plus to even compare Opeth to pop punk, makes me question wether you even have a brain. If you can't hear the difference you are not only stupid but deaf.[/QUOTE]
Here's your early Christmas present. It's a sarcasm detector. Enjoy.

[QUOTE=Jude]Here's your early Christmas present. It's a sarcasm detector. Enjoy.[/QUOTE]
Now that I look again, yeah.............. :lol: