Review Summary: It was me, peering through the looking glass...
Death is probably the most frequently written about topic in metal, and it's second only to love when it comes to music across all genres. And then there's the albums that cover both. What death does to love. What love does for death. My Arms, Your Hearse is truly remarkable in how it touches on both. It feels unique and fresh, which is truly incredible considering how frequently these topics are touched on throughout music. It's beautiful, and truly haunting, but also brutal, and crushingly heavy. In other words, it's a great Opeth album.
The album tells the story of a ghost, one who has recently passed, and still being mourned by his loved ones, namely his significant other. Throughout the tale, as best I can make out, he tries to contact her, and when that doesn't work, he tries to kill her so they could be together. And in the end, after the attempt on her life fails, he realizes his time on earth is done, and that she should have a chance to move on and live her life. It's a beautiful story, and only serves to enhance an incredible piece of music.
It is clear to the listener that this is when Opeth truly struck gold. One could debate the merits of Morningrise and Orchid over MAYH, and I wouldn't be one to argue with that person, as those albums are incredible. But this album is the first that brings that classic Opeth sound to the forefront of metal consciousness. It's the first that stands out above the pack as something truly unique, something that put the band beyond others in their field. The "Opeth formula" was born with this album, and basically serves as a blueprint for the majority of albums to follow, namely Blackwater Park. If I were to recommend Opeth to someone, I would recommend this album to start with.
The thing most apparent from the start in comparison to the previous albums is the massive upgrade in production. Guitars are heavier, bass is clearer and much better blended with the rest of the music, and drums are crisper and heavier. It all works in tandem to bring the band to their peak thus far. Also seeing an overhaul is lyrical content, as it's begun to have more in common with the works of Poe than any standard metal lyrics. Åkerfeldt always stood above the pack in terms of lyricists in his field, even from the start, but the imagery is more beautifully written, more haunting, like words dancing around each other, playing at the ideas they want to portray, and they all come together to stick inside your soul for years to come. Åkerfeldt's vocals have also seen a massive improvement, with the growls more demonic and guttural, and the cleans containing not one syllable of imperfection or poorly chosen inflection. This most exemplified by the track Credence, the first soft Opeth song. It's absolutely gorgeous, and an album highlight. Coincidentally, it serves as a glimpse into the future, as Opeth would soon after write songs like Harvest and everything on Damnation. It was a risky move on the band's part, and it paid off in spades.
In essence, that's why My Arms, Your Hearse works as perfectly as it does. In comparison to the strong foundation laid by Orchid and Morningrise, so much of this album feels like a risk, an experiment, like Opeth was toying with their sound, and seeing just how many directions they could take it. And every single risk paid off. All of it worked, and served as a foundation on which every brilliant move the band made afterward was built. All of this instrumental experimentation is topped off by a beautiful story, and one that stays with you long after the album ends. A truly perfect album, and not the only one Opeth would pull off.
Favorite Tracks: When, Karma, Credence, Demon of the Fall
Least Favorite Tracks: Um.... The Amen Corner... I guess? Still a damn good song.
