I admit, when I first heard this band I was bored out of my mind, I really couldn't even begin to see how this was the highest rated metal album at the time it was. However, with each forced listen I discovered more and more parts of the album that really made it stand above anything else I've heard, soon the forced listens became casual listens then turned into daily listens. This album took a while to grow on me but after hearing it over and over, the haunting atmosphere, amazing musicianship and memorable riffs and solos made this album become my personal favorite out of everything I have heard, its awesome how Opeth can mix brutal moments and transition into soft ones so perfectly without it sounding forced or out of place (take the title track and The Drapery Falls for instance).
In short this is what I consider Opeth's magnum opus. The blending elements of death, progressive and folk metal work beautifully to make this a truly enjoyable album that can appeal to any metal head that isn't looking for the best album ever made, but one that is an essential showcase of musicianship and songwriting. |
