Overall not a bad song (miles above that last turd they released...) but the degree of 70's rehashing going on here is getting out of hand

Good song.

super super bad

#growlswhen

Sableye
Leftovers
Prankster

Will O Wisp
Protect
Substitute
Recover

Just bad. Bad lyrics, bad vocals, bad instrumentation

It's nothing great, but it's pleasant enough

It's a nice song, but that's about it.

Yea that was nice I guess. Nothing too interesting as usual.

"Sableye
Leftovers
Prankster

Will O Wisp
Protect
Substitute
Recover"

I run Sableye Prankster with Calm Mind, Recover, Will O Wisp, and Snarl. It works better for me.

My speakers are all clogged up with cheese after playing this

I liked "the River" from PC, but this continues the prog follk path into blandness.

"Great song. First Opeth song since 2007."

lmao

Can't believe how much their style has changed since heritage, but I guess it's expected of a band this late into their career

"Great song. First Opeth song since 2007."

hope ur just getting the years mixed up, but does Watershed not count as Opeth

Getting Moody Blues vibes from this.

Also this literally sounds like a 70's prog band going through the 2000's still playing music even though they lost all creativity. Example: Yes

Some female vocals and smaller duration would make this better. The bluesy solo is nice.

opeth aren't inventive anymore

sigh... T/t was really good for me, but the last one I find utterly disappointing.

kill me

sput pokemon showdown tourney when

kill me [2]

boring as fuck surprise surprise

hugh mungus

Music is pleasant enough, but the nasal singing and weak lyrics really drag this down.

he actually does over sing this one a bit but i quite like it generally
solo is very lovely

Jethro vibes. Opeth Tull. I like both of these songs

I can dig it.

shit, now i gotta go listen to Minstrel in the Gallery

man this sucks

I'm just losing so much interest in this release. I'm one of the biggest Opeth fans around and this was just very boring

MetallicOpeth

that's SIR metallicopeth to you

hugh mungus [2]

not a bad song by any means, but jesus what a shame with the direction they've went in over the last 3 records

I was expecting more prog wank, but this was actually very pleasant to listen to.

Boring

I really like this song now tbh. Only bad thing is the lyrics.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

hahah this sucks!

You're welcome Michael.

for just a second i thought this would be good, but alas it is awful

just like the last track it goes nowhere and does absolutely nothing

Jethro Tull is a hell of a drug.

once again akerfeldt drives his band off a cliff

how many times can you drive your band off the cliff tho

Maybe it's a flying car

Awful is a stretch. The guitar solo is good. However, the lyrics, try-hard singing and overall lack of direction leaves the song mired in it's own mediocrity. 6.4/10

yea, song gets good towards the end, but overall it's really mediocre and forgettable
still better than the first single

Hippy bullshit

Can't say I'm hyper for this album tbh, what's happened?

Mikael fully metamorphosed into a dad

A complete snooze-fest. What a surprise.

is this a creed video

How can they go from Harvest to this shit...

Sableye
Leftovers
Prankster

Will O Wisp
Protect
Substitute
Recover

Still need to sit down and actually give these guys a listen. Song is average, rather just put on porcupine tree.

considerably better than the other single

reminds me of something from Watershed

and this is much better than porcupine tree (but what isnt)

Mikael addressing fans that want old growls:

"When your tired of waiting and time is not on your side. When your tired of hating me you no longer want to hide. Your stuck to the failures of your life.."

lol

boring jethro tull worship, pass

How can they go from Harvest to this shit...

for real. i dont give a fuck about growls, their new stuff just sounds so much less inspired and unique than even the clean stuff from that era.

Agreed. Fuck the growls, it's the songwriting that's letting them down. They are playing one of the innovative genres ffs, 70's prof was some out there shit but here they are sounding boring. At least heritage had some of those weird as shit moments.

fuck someone beat me to the pokemon reference.

This song is as good as the better moments on PC imo.

lol what the fuck is this

I love the lead guitar work in the second half. Feels like classic Opeth.

How dull.

When you read Opeth (Mikael's) track by track of Sorceress, it shows painfully how passionless they've become. "I like Middle Eastern scales so I based something on that", "I was listening to this song and liked a riff, so we based a song on something similar", "I wanted something Mexican-ish". This song is based on Dun Ringill by Jethro Tull, and it's so bleeding obvious. Opeth are on track to become a parody of themselves. It wouldn't be so upsetting if they hadn't made some of the best records of the last 15 years.

just as dreadful as their last song.

Not even close. This song is way better.

its way better in the sense that less people died in the Hindenburg crash than on the Titanic sinking

woo i love thick as a brick

I'd rather listen to Thick as a Brick than listen to Opeth do a tribute to it.

This song is better [2]

Sorceress was good though, especially the second half.

I can go into any white dads record collection of I wanna hear 70's prog, I get that their new sound is meant to be paying tribute to those that inspired mikael but it's not unique at all. It's literally "Jethro Tull folk part" and now comes the King Crimson part with jazzy solos and odd time sigs.
To me they are wearing their influences a little too proudly. Its like when (hate incoming) Trivium released Crusade and it was literally Metallica but then did Shogun and it was more influenced by then actual ripoff.

"I'd rather listen to Thick as a Brick than listen to Opeth do a tribute to it." [2]

I do dig the track, though. Much better than the t/t. Don't care about growls, do care about how Opeth basically set fire to their old style and dynamics and buried them in an unmarked grave, though.

guitars are really beautiful. outro makes up for the lyrics which are just as boring as sorceress'

It's fine. It's what I've come to expect from Opellica.

Kinda wish I just made a mixtape of the influences for the album rather than preordering it. When will I learn? Also, naming a song influenced by Cream 'strange brew' just doesn't seem like a good idea..

I agree with Zuzek's assessment regarding the track-by-track - http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-08-26/opeth-s-track-by-track-guide-to-sorceress

Q. Can Opeth even be considered "progressive" at this point?

A hell of a lot better than Sorceress. Personally dread that song but this one is nice

'and soon you are forgotten'

META AS F

This track is just okay

"for real. i dont give a fuck about growls, their new stuff just sounds so much less inspired and unique than even the clean stuff from that era."

hard. damnation was proof that they can do this shit properly without the harsh vox

shit, so was Heritage

Reminds me so much of Jethro Tull, but not nearly as good. Not a bad song however. I like it more than the other track.

no, it could not. not even close

[2]. Would not fit at all.

"Q. Can Opeth even be considered "progressive" at this point?"
er, they're not progressive in the sense of making music that makes music in itself progress (which is a misconception of the term "progressive music" imo). but they are kinda progressive in the sense of writing songs that "progress" as they go (this one not so, but Sorceress does, even if the progressions are out of the blue at places). anyway, they're definitely playing the genre "prog rock", which doesn't have to be "progressive" in the ways mentioned above. it's just a particular sound and genre. "prog" doesn't have to be progressive in the literal sense of the word, just like "pop" doesn't have to be "popular" to be classified as pop, you know? The term made itself independent from its original meaning.

What are u on about

even on past releases, despite going full king crimson mode, opeth at least managed to sound somewhat distinctively like themselves

this is just a bland, forgettable disaster that could have been recorded by anyone with a middling interest in prog

''they are kinda progressive in the sense of writing songs that "progress" as they go''

Most prog bands out there are all about this. Truly progressive bands are more and more difficult to find, and they don't call themselves progressive. Avant-garde is another term about true, litteral progression.

"Sableye
Leftovers
Prankster

Will O Wisp
Protect
Substitute
Recover"


Cmon man, you have to get spicy and run calm mind with something offensive like dark pulse/shadow ball

bands that are obsessed by not being defined as a genre are obnoxious

also, this song couldn't fit in on damnation wth

''being defined as a genre are obnoxious''

Why is that?

So...uh...I don't see anything wrong with the vocals or the lyrics. And it's pretty clearly Jethro Tull worship, but it still sounds nice.

Seems like everybody just whines about what Opeth aren't nowadays.

i meant not being defined by a genre, like if some band is sort of progressive, then they become upset by being labeled a prog rock band

I understood what you meant. What I don't agree with is calling them obnoxious. If they truly want to be progressive, with the full meaning of the word, tagging them is a drawback. For instance, PoS don't want to be called Prog. They have elements of the genre, but come to think of it, they are not the stereotypical prog band, not anymore at least. They passed through Thrash, through Heavy Metal, Folk, Disco, Garage and Rock. Not wanting to be called anything can be seen as a need to free themselves from the restraint the tag brings.

I thought it was a pretty good song.

Average at best

Nah I like using petty set ups on Sableye

I've liked both songs but therein lies the problem, they're just fine.

I cut Opeth some slack with PC but this album sounds like a retread of past material thus far, only lumped together more lazily and without any true direction.

I like the ending of this song a lot starting around 3:00. It's not mindblowing but it's very Opeth and those guitar tones are top notch.

yea that part saves the song

Song is boring, has nothing to do with how good Opeth used to be - it just is.

Seems like everybody just whines about what Opeth aren't nowadays. [2]

These songs have been mostly fine, but this sounded beautiful. At this point those moments are what I'm looking forward to most on the album. I'm guessing the heaviest sections will just resemble the band Ghost more than anything else, as Sorceress indicated.

Song SUCKS

If this song had been made by any other band, I'd say it a good one, but coming from a band who gave us Ghost of Perdition, The Moor, and my favorite, The Leper Affinity, it's kinda disappointing. Even by Damnation standards, it would come short as being on par with the other songs on this album.
But at least, it's listenable, which, by Opeth standards, means it's pretty much a failure.

I feel like most people haven't even given this song a chance tbh

Still enjoying the track after some listens.

Yeah, I've listened to this several times now. Still rules.

"How can they go from Harvest to this shit..."

Quite easily I'd imagine. One fairly bland folk track with a melodic guitar solo to another fairly bland folk track with a melodic guitar solo. Admittedly Harvest is a bit better but there's not exactly a huge difference in quality and certainly not in style.

"there's not exactly a huge difference in quality and certainly not in style"

he probably used that song specifically as an example because they're similar stylistically, but Harvest is a hauntingly beautiful and atmospheric song, while this is just... whatever

I get that but like I said, I don't see that much difference in terms of quality.

at least for me, Harvest builds up an imaginary landscape within a mere second. This song, on the other hand, while being nice and all, is just much less distinct in its atmosphere imo

I liked it - hope this album is good, mrs pre ordered the picture disk for me. at least if not the art is nice

the art is nice, that's true.

I agree with JT. This and Harvest are at pretty much the same level quality to me. Meaning both are great songs.

this song sounds like the stock instrumentals you hear in a fantasy themed movie when the character is exploring the rural town in the kingdom of mydolia or whatever the hell.

Mydolia lmao. Spot on.

all its missing for maximum cliche is a lute interlude

Will o the Wisp...ah knu u'd come, but you are just a part of Hardy and AH UWN EVERYTHING that is the name...HARDY! so now ah must delete u...

DELETE! DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!

3.5/5

accurate rating

I really enjoyed it. 4.5/5

Can't we all just agree that this band has always been extremely overrated?

this song is a 4.5 but overall they've always been like a 3.3 to me

Kusangii dooooes have a point

aye

"Sableye
Leftovers
Prankster

Will O Wisp
Protect
Substitute
Recover"

Ahh, the perfect set for PP Stall battles, kinda like this song.

Jk, this song was fine, but the lyrics were bad for an Opeth song and was inoffensive to the point of being offensive.

P.S. Am I the only one who thinks Eternal Rains Will Come has been their best song in the 2010s?

"Can't we all just agree that this band has always been extremely overrated?"
BULLSHIT (- fmj, 1987)

They're not an overrated band. They just have several overrated albums.

First 3 albums are infallible.

orchid is not infallible lol

Second half drags on. First half was pleasant. Musically this might be Opeth's most "happy" song

Production quality seems to have dropped a bit

BWP tho. Worth the hype imo

Love it

''Am I the only one who thinks Eternal Rains Will Come has been their best song in the 2010s?''

One of the best, for sure.

This song is good, but I can't help but feel like I'm listening to Jethro Tull. Both of the new songs sound like Opeth imitating other bands.

''Am I the only one who thinks Eternal Rains Will Come has been their best song in the 2010s?"

that's my fav, yea. although Heritage is a better album overall.

"This song is good, but I can't help but feel like I'm listening to Jethro Tull"

Yes it was influenced by a particular Jethro Tull track but it doesn't sound exactly like Tull or anything. It has similarities to that particular song but it's not like it's full of distinctly Tull-esque moments.

meh

Agreed with Jamie about the Jethro Tull influence. I only listened once and I quite enjoyed it.

My dad loves this song

That checks out.

'Am I the only one who thinks Eternal Rains Will Come has been their best song in the 2010s?"

Folklore tho

Häxprocess >

"Häxprocess >"

yeah but we are talking 2010s

Folklore, Nepenthe, Haxprocess, Faith in Others... Eternal Rains is up there tho, for sure

Felt like it was gonna build into something really awesome.






And then it didn't :[

Agree with Talons. Also Lines n My Hand.
Heritage was actually quite a good album.

"yeah but we are talking 2010s"

Heritage was 2011 bro. feels like a long time ago i know. was a great album tho, shows that prog rock Opeth doesnt have to sound uninspired

It had the hazy as fuk parts and also had some serious prog.

Lines in my Hand is fantastic too. Heritage is indeed an excellent album, way better than its reputation and easily superior to PC and probably this album. PC was cool though, and I have high hopes for Sorceress.

I just couldn't get into PC, I loved the solos and some drumming parts but overall, it felt like very safe.

I feel like they already just dropped an album, where did that time go?

PC seems like it came out yesterday ye

Seems like the wait times are getting shorter, they'll probably start smashing out these 70's prog albums

Yeah PC was only two years ago, and it was good but probably their weakest. That or Deliverance

"I just couldn't get into PC, I loved the solos and some drumming parts but overall, it felt like very safe."

exactly this

yoo cant believe PC is 2 years old wtfff

The river had some sweeeeet fredrik shred, I love hearing him solo.

River is weirdly happy but I dig it, especially that shredding ending you mentioned. Even though I liked PC well enough I'm hoping that this will be even better, I'll be more than satisfied if it's as good as Heritage.

This albumhas to rule or I'm giving up on music entirely.

nah I'll just go listen to new meshuggah, we all know that will rip face

Yeah Meshuggah should be sweet, there's Alcest, new Nick Cave on Friday, the new Neurosis is awesome, Blackfield in October. This is a crazy stacked couple months.

You got a Neurosis promo? Lucky.

Yeah writing my review now, it's an awesome record.

Swee.

Siiick.

didn't even know there was new Neurosis, nice

^^^ There's like new everything this year, it's crazy

You're stuck with the faaaaaiiiluuures

Of your laaahiiife

when you're ti'ed ov waitin'

Yup, those are some pretty bad lyrics *spit*

The lyrics are kind steve wilson-ish, this is not a good thing.

True, but the music makes up for it.

For Wilson? His solo stuff too self-serving for me.
Porcupine Tree on the other hand, they have had some absolute bangers.
Opeth, I am hoping this album will deliver but it probs wont. As myself and other have mentioned, not even because of the growls, it's just not particularly original. there's a difference between being inspired by your influences and then just ripping them off.

@chug: Fair point but you're forgetting that, time it waaaits for nooone. Wwwit heaals them wheeeeen you diiiieeeehhh

Catchy vocal melodies. Good vocal performance

Seriously though chug has good points. Opeth hardly seemed inspired on PC. I was hoping for Heritage to be a platform for Mikael to really experiment with the sound, but it looks like he's just delving further into mundane territory

Like I said, new meshuggah.

Never got the hype behind Meshuggah

Meshuggah's so weird for me, sometimes the albums hit me good (ObZen) and sometimes they miss me completely (Catch Thirty-Three) but the records all sound pretty close to the same

Catch 33 was a bit out there even for them.
ObZen still holds up to this day, but man the production was just overkill.

Yeah, but the production on most modern metal albums is overkill, if I dig the music enough, I can usually ignore the shitty brickwall

Meshuggah, to me, seem to have release the same album over and over

yeah, but for some inexplicable reason sometimes it's great and sometimes it ain't

polys tho