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User
Soundoffs 42
Album Ratings 1507
Objectivity 75%
Last Active 08-20-17 1:47 am
Joined 05-30-12
Review Comments 12
| Opeth: Anniversary, 1990-2015
Opeth is one of my favorite bands of all time. Their ability to blend so many genres without rrlosing direction, and crank out original, ass-kicking tunes at the same time is something that rrneeds to be heard to be believed. 25 years, 11 CD's and 3 DVD's strong, the Swedish titans rrshow rno signs of stopping. I present my revised arrangement of the Opeth catalog, from rrmost favorite to least. Notes: this was a difficult list to make, since the band's track record ris rso consistent. And yes, I am including live DVD performances as well. | | 1 |  | Opeth
My Arms, Your Hearse
A concept album with plenty to say about life and death, "My Arms, Your Hearse" or MAYH or short, is one of the lesser known albums in the Opeth canon, but also the heaviest, most inspired and most musical. It also laid the groundwork for future Opeth releases to follow. Doomy riffs, haunting clean sections and dramatic melodies at their most sincere, with an almost cinematic nature to it. Welcome to the 52-minute emotional spiral that is "My Arms Your Hearse", the first of three must-have albums that put Opeth on the map as a promising force in heavy metal. Standouts include "Credence", "Demon of the Fall", "April Ethereal", just to name a few. | | 2 |  | Opeth
Still Life
"Still Life" improved on the foundation of past Opeth albums in 1999. The album's themes of love, death and the beauty of life are well aided by top-quality writing, improved production, and more tweaks to the sound that we first witnessed on "MAYH". The band begins to push themselves further; One of the key tracks is "Face of Melinda", a ballad whose mix of jazz elements bring Cynic to mind. Bassist Martin Mendez more than makes a grand entrance here. Opening track "The Moor" is also a gut-punch. I could go on about this album, but I don't wanna spoil the rest. If Chuck Schuldiner were still alive, he would be proud of these boys. | | 3 |  | Opeth
Blackwater Park
Arguably the peak of Lindgren and Akerfledt's music careers, this album represents all that Opeth had been working on up to this point. Those who favor brutality can rejoice with many a song such as "The Leper Affinity", "Bleak" and the title track, while those who enjoy the more softer side of metal will have a field day with cuts like "Patterns in the Ivy" or even "Harvest". It doesn't hurt that Steven Wilson was by their side as producer and guest musician, as Wilson's experience in Porcupine Tree suggests more inspiration and subtlety for Opeth. This mammoth of a an album is one of the best ways to bring in newcomers to the legend that is Opeth, and doubles as an essential must-have for the die-hard fan. | | 4 |  | Opeth
In Live Concert at the Royal Albert Hall
No band has ever done a balls-out birthday bash better than the five-piece Swedish "Kings of Metal" Opeth. This extravagant film, taking place at London's celebrated Royal Albert Hall, has a two-set layout not seen since the exquisite "Lamentations". The first set consists of "Blackwater Park" done in its entirety, while the second contains songs from their back catalog that just happen to include "Advent", "Forest of October", "April Ethereal", and the list goes on! Each song here is performed so brilliantly and optimistically, it's hard not to imagine why these guys are a force to be reckoned with. The mixing is more balanced than the "Roundhouse Tapes", the musicianship is unparalleled, and the grand spectacle is overwhelming. Even the camerawork is oozing with greatness. Not to mention, some copies are paired with CD versions of the set, so you're basically getting the full package. This confirms Mikael Akerfeldt as a true innovator in the rock and metal genres. | | 5 |  | Opeth
Ghost Reveries
Ghost Reveries is the ideal Opeth record for newbies, and a success for heavy metal fans. Breathtaking melodies, earth-shattering brute force, dynamic instrumentation, an epic scope, grade-A production values, simmering band chemistry, honest expression and expansive variety are all mixed perfectly into every single track. Such tracks are not limited to, but include "The Grand Conjuration", "Reverie/Harlequin Forest", "Soldier of Fortune" (yes, a cover of Deep Purple), "Ghost of Perdition", and the jazzy, other-worldly "Atonement". Overall, This package fascinated me from beginning to end! Ranks highly among
"MAYH", "Still Life" and "Blackwater Park." | | 6 |  | Opeth
Lamentations
Opeth's first official DVD, 2004's "Lamentations" contains two completely different setlists: A softer set consisting mostly of "Damnation" songs, and a heavier set with songs from "Deliverance" and "Blackwater Park". This two-hour concert film, shot in England, just took my breath away. The two sets are executed seamlessly, with genuine emotion, mind-bending instrumentation, sharp mixing, and to top that off, a first-rate performance from the Reigning Kings of Metal themselves. The standard just couldn't get higher; all hail Opeth! | | 7 |  | Opeth
Damnation
It may be the shortest and softest of the bunch, but "Damnation" features some of the band's most focused songwriting and inspired instrumentation, and also the absolute best vocal delivery from Mikael Akerfeldt on any Opeth album. Not to mention, it has a really good flow to it. Best tracks here are a no-brainer: "Closure", "Hope Leaves", "Windowpane", and the mellotron-laden finale "Weakness". A clear inspiration by progressive rock albums of yesterday, the 7th chapter in the Opeth canon officially confirms that the band has taken the rock/metal world by storm. | | 8 |  | Opeth
Deliverance
The title track itself is pretty much worth the full price of admission; it is one of the most memorable songs in their catalog, and "Master's Apprentices" is another big anthem. They both share a brutal gut punch and display a wide canvas of musical beauty. The guitar work is to die for. "A Fair Judgement" is very melodic, and a welcome addition to the Opeth songbook. But yet, the album (as a whole) simply doesn't have the same level of excellence as, say, "Still Life" or "Blackwater Park". | | 9 |  | Opeth
The Roundhouse Tapes
Their second concert film, 2007's "The Roundhouse Tapes" is everything you would expect from an Opeth DVD, and so forth. It has plenty in common with other Opeth videos (shot in England, big setlists, etc.), but the biggest and best thing you'll notice is that the band uses a single, shorter and varied setlist that features some older songs like "When", "Face of Melinda", "Bleak" and "Demon of the Fall". These songs are all performed superbly (their earliest songs could not be better), the mixing is a bit subdued (Mikael's voice ended up a bit higher than the instruments!!), which brings this down a bit. Otherwise, I'd say go for it! | | 10 |  | Opeth
Watershed
One of Opeth's most challenging productions, "Watershed" blurs the line between rock, metal, pop, soul and other genres even further than before, and yet the boys come out without incident. It is a satisfying record, even if it doesn't reach the standards of past albums (then again, what will?). The band opens a door for new musical opportunity without losing track of their origins (their origins would later be explored further on future albums). Standout tracks: "Coil", "Heir Apparent", "Hessian Peel", "Porcelain Heart" and extras like the all-Swedish "Den standiga resan". | | 11 |  | Opeth
Morningrise
There's only 5 songs on the record and they're pretty long. Outsiders will not be familiar with this one compared to newer Opeth titles, as this was recorded around the same time as "Orchid". However, the songs are a bit more adventurous and richer in atmosphere; the 20-minute "Black Rose Immortal", and the truly heartfelt "To Bid You Farewell" are the real successes. | | 12 |  | Opeth
Orchid
The first, and least recognizable album in the Opeth canon, due in part to fans being more familiar with newer releases. But it still gets points for being brutal, original and exciting. The band's unique blend of death metal and progressive rock attributes would only come to define the band later on, setting the tone for future releases. Standouts include the sweeping epics "Forest of October" and "Under the Weeping Moon" and my personal choice, the all-piano "Silhouette". | | 13 |  | Opeth
Pale Communion
As the band turns 25, Opeth returns on a stronger note with "Pale Communion", an eclectic mix of old-school blues, progressive hard rock and jazz fusion. As far as I am concerned, these boys may finally start transcending metal. The gutsy one-two punch of "Eternal Rains Will Come" and "Cusp of Eternity" suggest new live anthems in their ever adventurous catalog, while the mind-bending "Goblin" represents a new creative high for the Swedish titans. And let's not forget the album closer "Faith in Others". If "Watershed" hinted at change, and "Heritage" ushered in said change, then "Pale Communion" improves
and completes this new-meets-old style. Very strange and deliciously melodic, "Pale Communion" marks the fourteenth consecutive slam-dunk in a row for Opeth (if you including their concert films.) | | 14 |  | Opeth
Heritage
After 20 years of blending death metal fury with progressive ambience, Opeth decided to focus more on their roots. "Heritage" eschews the soft/heavy dynamic in favor of a jazz-tinged, 70's inspired progressive rock sound with clean vocals, reminiscent of some key influences: Deep Purple, Genesis, and King Crimson. The slow-burn "Heritage" completes the transition last seen on "Watershed" and represents one of the most unpredictable records they've put out in their entire career. Some people including myself have praised the record for its audacity (being vintage and simultaneously groundbreaking is not easy). Others have grossly denounced it for the same exact reason. It's up to you to decide which camp you'll fall under after you
hear it, but I think "Heritage" is a winner for the band. "Slither", "Folklore", "The Devil's Orchard" and
"The Lines In My Hand" are real highlights. | |
TheArkitecht
08.10.14 | .htepO | ChoccyPhilly
08.10.14 | Really good list. one of the only opeth lists i've seen that deserves a feature | Relinquished
08.10.14 | apparently looking forward into the future when they break up next year |
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