I honestly think GR is what you get when you put D+D together. I wasn't disappointed with it.

[quote=Flynn]
I think Axe will have a tremendous influence on their new writing technique.
[/quote] :lol: I highly doubt it. Let's face it, it's not like they're bringing in Blomberg or Hoglan in on this one. In fact, they're bringing in somebody who is significantly worse in almost every respect than the man he's replacing...why would you think he would have any large impact on the songwriting process?

[QUOTE=Killtacular]We have higher standards than you.[/QUOTE]

No, you have different tastes. There is nothing "higher" or "lower" about it...it's simply an opinion.

Hoglan would be a dream come true!I'll keep dreaming for now...

[QUOTE=Killtacular]We have higher standards than you.[/QUOTE]

haha.

GR is one of Opeth's best albums, [i]some[/i] people are just too narrow minded to see it.

rawr.

I've been listening to GR more so than BWP and Still Life recently, I think it and Morningrise have taken over as my favorite Opeth albums.

I love how Harlequin Forest kicks in with..."Into the trees..."

[QUOTE=Moses]I honestly think GR is what you get when you put D+D together. I wasn't disappointed with it.[/QUOTE]
This. Well, sort of. GR has a quite different feel than D&D. However I like GR - just not as much as the previous albums. (Except Orchid)

[QUOTE=Carrionshine]Hoglan would be a dream come true!I'll keep dreaming for now...[/QUOTE]

Well, did you know that he filled in for Lopez during SOTU?

[QUOTE=Det_Nosnip]No, you have different tastes. There is nothing "higher" or "lower" about it...it's simply an opinion.[/QUOTE]
You just say that because...

you're GAY!

And you love George Michael.
[QUOTE=Shadius]haha.

GR is one of Opeth's best albums, [i]some[/i] people are just too narrow minded to see it.

rawr.[/QUOTE]
You too, Pinky.

Except you love Wham.

[QUOTE=Det_Nosnip]Well, did you know that he filled in for Lopez during SOTU?[/QUOTE]

Yep.I saw it with my own eyes.I would just love for him to be a fulltime member.But being that he's with SYL, it's a very slim chance of that happening.

[QUOTE=MidnightRider]I've been listening to GR more so than BWP and Still Life recently, I think it and Morningrise have taken over as my favorite Opeth albums.

I love how Harlequin Forest kicks in with..."Into the trees..."[/QUOTE]
Me too! :)

HF is good. my favorite song off GR though has to be Beneath the Mire. it kicks ***

[QUOTE=Det_Nosnip]:lol: I highly doubt it. Let's face it, it's not like they're bringing in Blomberg or Hoglan in on this one. In fact, they're bringing in somebody who is significantly worse in almost every respect than the man he's replacing...why would you think he would have any large impact on the songwriting process?[/QUOTE]

Hey, we don't really know that! All I've heard him in is Bloodbath, and although he wasn't a really nuanced player on that album, it is death metal!

[QUOTE=Det_Nosnip]:lol: I highly doubt it. Let's face it, it's not like they're bringing in Blomberg or Hoglan in on this one. In fact, they're bringing in somebody who is significantly worse in almost every respect than the man he's replacing...why would you think he would have any large impact on the songwriting process?[/QUOTE]


When someone replaces someone else in a band, they are bound to have different ideas and aspects in certain areas of a song in the making then the previous member, sometimes good, sometimes bad. For example: When Gene Hoglan replaced Sean Reinert there was a dramatic change in Death's music. Even though I thought Sean had more technicality, Gene brought a whole new vibe to the band and helped create one of the most technical death metal albums of all time (Symbolic). I respect them both and will not compare the two simply because I love their work, and the same goes for Lopez and Axenrot. I'm going to miss Lopez, and I'm sure we all will...but I think Axenrot will have a great impact with Opeth in the future and I am looking forward to hearing the next recording with him. -IMO

...plus I saw his potential with my own eyes, he's not as bad as you make him out to be.

[QUOTE=Killtacular]You just say that because...

you're GAY!

And you love George Michael.

You too, Pinky.

Except you love Wham.[/QUOTE]
This is true.

GR is listenable, but the lack of kick arse guitar riffs hurts it like you wouldn't believe, for me, anyway. I don't really care what any of you say, it's the mad evil riffing and acoustic lines that made Opeth what they are to me. Now the guitars are just kind of there, but theres plenty of keyboards!

[QUOTE=Dunkelheit509]This is true.

GR is listenable, [b]but the lack of kick arse guitar riffs hurts it like you wouldn't believe[/b]
[/quote]

YES. There are almost no memorable riffs on the album, electric or acoustic.
[quote]
, for me, anyway. I don't really care what any of you say, it's the mad evil riffing and acoustic lines that made Opeth what they are to me. Now the guitars are just kind of there, but theres plenty of keyboards![/QUOTE]
Agreed. The heavy guitar playing is just kind of getting the job done, and the fantastic acoustic playing of the past is overtaken by keyboards.

I like the riffs to The Grand Conjuration, GoP, Baying of the Hounds and Beneath the Mire. I understand where you're coming from, but I disagree.

[QUOTE=Dunkelheit509]GR is listenable, but the [B]lack of kick arse guitar riffs hurts it like you wouldn't believe[/B], for me, anyway. I don't really care what any of you say, it's the mad evil riffing and acoustic lines that made Opeth what they are to me. Now the guitars are just kind of there, but theres plenty of keyboards![/QUOTE]
I disagree 100%. I love the riffs on GR like I do on every other album.

I love Ghost Reveries...

The riffs in GoP and BotH are absolutely incredible (especially that one clean riff towards the end of BotH)...

I'm also really enjoying the acoustic stuff on this album...

TGC is pretty forgettable, though, I think most agree on that. Live, however, it is really awesome...

Really though guys, come on. Play GoP, then play Blackwater Park. There's almost no compariason. But I guess this all goes down to opinion.

[QUOTE=Shattered_Future]No, it's Opeth as it was meant to be played. No cutting out like the single version...the whole 10 minutes.[/QUOTE]

I <3 the "whispered conjuration a belief takes form" riff. That riff is badass and very evil sounding, at least to me.

[QUOTE=Dunkelheit509]Really though guys, come on. Play GoP, then play Blackwater Park. There's almost no compariason. But I guess this all goes down to opinion.[/QUOTE]
Heh, I think GR vs. BWP is more than a matter of opinion. It's a blowout.

Why the hell does everyone love that "whispered conjuration" riff? It sucks!

For me, it's because it's hard to seperate the rhythm of the riff while "singing". It's the same with most of the riffs in BWP's title track, it's just hard to do.

[QUOTE=Jude]Heh, I think GR vs. BWP is more than a matter of opinion. It's a blowout.[/QUOTE]
I agree, I just didn't want to get jumped on by the GR fans.

[QUOTE=Dunkelheit509]I agree, I just didn't want to get jumped on by the GR fans.[/QUOTE]
Ehh, whatever. BWP owns it. And BWP has way more memorable riffs. In GR they just dont' stand out (for the most part, there are a few that do) and the vocal melodies or something are taking the front seat. The guitar parts are often just boring.

[QUOTE=Jude]Ehh, whatever. BWP owns it. And BWP has way more memorable riffs. In GR they just dont' stand out (for the most part, there are a few that do) and the vocal melodies or something are taking the front seat. The guitar parts are often just boring.[/QUOTE]
Yup yup. GR was all about vocals, then keyboards.

If guitar riffing is your main arguement, Opeth are hasbeens that lost it after the Orchid and Morningrise eras.The guitar work on both of those blows everything else out of the water.But of coarse, Opeth have since vastly improved on many other things.Whatever.Every cd of theirs does something better than all the others, and GR is no exception.Opeth are probably one of the best examples of a band that has a fanbase that cant agree on their best album.You have the BWP crowd, the Orchid, Morningrise crowd, and the good ol' Still Life crowd.I'm sure there will be a GR crowd in time.It's all a matter of tastes.

The riffs may not be there, but the harmonies and synth certainly are there.

[QUOTE=Jude]Heh, I think GR vs. BWP is more than a matter of opinion. It's a blowout.

Why the hell does everyone love that "whispered conjuration" riff? It sucks![/QUOTE]


Personally, I take GR over BWP as a whole.If we were to compare individual songs, then maybe I'd pick BWP.I personally love to listen to albums from top to bottom without skipping or pausing or whatever.BWP vibes with me, then it gets to Dirge For November.Ugh.That song kills all the momentum for me.GR doesnt have a song like that.Which is why I find it to be a more enjoyable listen from top to bottom.

[QUOTE=Jude]Ehh, whatever. BWP owns it. And BWP has way more memorable riffs. In GR they just dont' stand out (for the most part, there are a few that do) and the vocal melodies or something are taking the front seat. The guitar parts are often just boring.[/QUOTE]
Too bad Still Life owns 'em both!