Quite possibly the greatest band on Earth - Opeth album review (1601 hits)
Category: Sound & MusicRating: 1.17 on 31 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by A-Daamage (View user info) at 2005-09-02 13:47:36 EDT
Album review: Opeth - Ghost Reveries
If there was any doubt regarding the brilliance of Opeth, that sentiment has been utterly decimated with the unbelievable Ghost Reveries. This album is so far beyond any expectations I had that I was struck speechless so many times on my initial listen that I lost count. How is it that a band with a core sound that is so unique NEVER get stale? Mikael Åkerlfeldt (vocalist/guitarist/songwriter) seems completely incapable of writing a boring or filler song. Of particular note are his vocals on this album. He has completely outdone any of his previous vocal work with this monolithic and storied band. Tracks like "Ghost Of Perdition" and "Hours Of Wealth" show a sophistication and maturity in his vocals never before heard. I must also mention his death vocals have never sounded so vicious. And of course, I can't leave out the rest of the band, who perform with their usual so-close-to-perfect-you-can't-tell ability. Martin Mendez's drums are clever, solid and never boring. Martin Lopez's bass is full and accentuates every piece of music with grace and confidence. And Peter Lindgren's second guitar is always the perfect compliment to Mike's, providing just the right accompaniment harmony or solo or beefing up the rhythm section. Also, on this album, they've added a fifth member, Per Wieberg, who contributes mellotrons, piano, organ and various atmospheric keyboards to the already vast Opeth sound with an elegant touch.
Musically, this album takes twists and turns all over the place, and yet everything is so seamless that it flows like a sheet of silk over field of jagged obsidian. Songwriting this adventurous hasn't been witnessed since the days of Jeff Lynne and ELO. About every two albums, Opeth generally undergoes a transformation and unfolds into something different and yet the same, still keeping that Opethian sound but incorporating new elements and ideas and infusing them into their unique musical vision. And, odd as it sounds, Opeth even got a little bluesy on this album, and holy hell does it work in their favor. Don't be expecting any John Lee Hooker or B.B. King licks here, but instead a few subtle nods to the blues style in general that intertwine magnificently with their dark, brooding musicscapes.
I also cannot speak about this album without mention of the production quality, which has a clarity like never before displayed on an Opeth recording. As with flocks of other Swedish bands, Opeth has utilized the services of the quickly rising star Jens Bogren and his spectacular Fascination Street studio. The sound quality from this studio has provided immaculately crisp and full productions for bands like Soilwork and Bloodbath, and now Opeth has profited massively from the superbly lucent production quality.
I cannot praise this album enough. Opeth has completely gone beyond all conventions and trends and created something truly special here. You may be turned off by death metal, but this is no one-horse band and you would be robbing yourself of a rare experience by passing this album by. This album and this band go so far beyond any mere labels. The dynamic created by the violent death vocals and rhythms moving along with the haunting clean vocals and acoustic/atmospheric passages, done with such maturity and soul, makes for a breathtaking experience. And for the squeamish, there are three completely mellow tracks if you absolutely refuse to open your mind and ears to something less conventional.
Bottom Line: There is no doubt, Ghost Reveries sits calmly and confidently at the peak of the Album Of The Year list, with only Strapping Young Lad's Alien screaming and shaking its fist at it from its silver-medal position below.
note: I'm using Metalbite's (www.metalbite.com) method of rating as it's pretty thorough.
Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 10
Originality: 10
Overall: 9
Rating: 9.8 out of 10
"In time the hissing of her sanity faded out her voice and soiled her name, and like marked pages in a diary everything seemed clean that is unstained." - Ghost Of Perdition, Opeth
User Reviews
Submitted by HighFructoseCornSyrup (user info) at 2005-10-23 03:42:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by Tombomb (user info) at 2005-10-23 03:12:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This is my first listen of opeth, and all I have to say is 'WOW am I ever blown away by this band!" If this isint even their best album, then I will go pick up still life ASAP. Great, kickass CD. If you like metal or even rock, then you would be doing yourself a great favor by picking this one up.
Submitted by XII (user info) at 2005-09-09 08:59:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
as i type im knocked right down. *listening to baying of the hounds, such a sweet name for a song. i nearly actually bought blackwater park yesterday but settled on SOAD and bloodhound gang for $10 each (aussie $).
anyways track 5 is so sweet!!!
Submitted by A-Daamage (user info) at 2005-09-03 06:14:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
shitfuck - Of course I'm biased. Opeth is just so much better than 98% of the other bands out there. I can't help it that they kick so much ass. Blame it on their overwhelming talent.
XII - You're going to get knocked the fuck down by this album. Have fun.
Submitted by XII (user info) at 2005-09-03 03:22:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
and i was already planning to buy this album
+2
Submitted by shitfuck (user info) at 2005-09-03 01:09:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I saw Opeth last month at a huge show, good stuff.
I think you;re just a little biased though.
Submitted by Death_Metal_Dude (user info) at 2005-09-03 00:56:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I've always really wanted to cover an entire Opeth song but I just don't have the equipment for it (no real mic, no effects processor, random smattering of pirated software that I don't know how to use to its full potential)
Submitted by Death_Metal_Dude (user info) at 2005-09-03 00:45:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"(DMD's band did a sweet fockin cover of that solo, I'd like to hear the whole thing)"
hahahahahah I don't have a band, I just programmed the drums
it doesn't even have any bass
in case anyone cares, here it is anyway
http://people.ucsc.edu/~dgreenbe/Leper%20Affinity%20Solo.mp3
Submitted by A-Daamage (user info) at 2005-09-02 23:37:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Shit, I forgot to add this to the last reply: to get a sense of what my vocals sound like, you can check out samples of two demos I did with a band I was in a year and a half ago at purevolume. Here's the link - www.purevolume.com/adaamage Please remember that I didn't write any of the music, but came in to replace a former vocalist and only wrote the lyrics and vocal structures. They are demos, mind you, so keep in mind the sound quality isn't the greatest, although we did utilize both a condenser and beta 58 Shure mics for the vocals.
Submitted by A-Daamage (user info) at 2005-09-02 23:19:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
There is an Opeth cover project going on at some Opeth fan site (can't remember which one) which is being run by the actor who was the main character in Dark City (can't remember his name either; the Benadryl is really kicking my ass right now, but hey, no projectile mucus ain't a bad tradeoff for a detached thought process). Unfortunately, all the musicians have already been picked. If anyone here ever plans on recording an Opeth tribute cover, please let me know as I would love to do the vocals. I would prefer one of their mellow songs as my clean vocals are much more refined and practiced than my death, but I can do the harsh vocals if necessary. I would love to do Credence, A Fair Judgement, To Bid You Farewell, Hope Leaves, The Face Of Melinda, White Cluster, The Drapery Falls or Isolation Years. I have some friends with the capability of recording with decent equipment, so let me know if any of you decide to record something.
Submitted by CoreaPeekay (user info) at 2005-09-02 22:56:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Now that I have read it, I agree almost wholeheartedly.
This is once again a different side of Opeth. They're too musically diverse to be labeled, and their asskickery is unmatched.
My favorite album is Still Life, which to me is their perfect transition between Melody and Death Metal. It just seems to mix so fluidly compaired to Blackwater Park or Deliverance.. which seem contrived and have a more bipolar kind of thing.. Whereas Still Life was like a loose cannon of a schizo, you know? Eerie intro, Death Metal, Jazz interlude, rock, Folk, Death Metal, etc. Its just like a changeup.. Whereas blackwater park and Deliverance are both very solid in their soft and heavy parts (which almost are just divided into entire songs)
As far as musicianship and creativity goes, The Ghost Reveries is definitely Opeth's most defining album yet.. But it doesn't quite have the classic Opeth charm ala MAYH or Still Life. It shows the progress and maturity of the band, however I can't stand some of the more chord-based riffs, rather than the classic melodies and constant ownage of the fretboard ala The Leper Affinity (DMD's band did a sweet fockin cover of that solo, I'd like to hear the whole thing) and other classics such as Moonlapse Vertigo and Godheads Lament.
I was dissappointed with the album until I really looked, listened, and read about it. Apparantly all songs but two are in Open-D, which explains why the chording is so blah and dry, but the solos are amazing (definitely challenging..)
I could rant on for ages about this shit, though. My band is covering two Opeth songs currently (White Cluster and Moonlapse Vertigo) so thats cool. There is a huge Opeth thread on www.ultimate-guitar.com as well, something like 4200 posts of awesomeness. Check it out sometime.
Oh, i was going to write a tribute to Opeth post but I couldn't come up with anything to describe their awesomeness, lol.
Submitted by CoreaPeekay (user info) at 2005-09-02 22:43:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
FUCK YES MOTHERFUCKING OPETH +2
Submitted by A-Daamage (user info) at 2005-09-02 22:21:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Blackwater Part? Is that what Moses would've done if he were at the Black Sea instead of the Red? Okay, infantile response, I know, but internet shoving matches are fun.
Also, I think this is part of the reason why Opeth is such an awesome band; no one can agree on what their best album is. Tool - almost everyone says Lateralus. Metallica - most say Master Of Puppets. Megadeth - Rust In Peace. Green Day - who cares? But for Opeth, all their albums are so amazing and unique that different people adhere to certain albums more than others. Old-school fans refuse to budge from putting Morningrise at the top. People such as DMD consider Still Life their masterpiece. I say My Arms, Your Hearse, although this new one is really burrowing into my brain and may very well tie with MAYH.
And last, I just think it's a shame not to use the logo on every album, as it's the most beautifully intricate logo I've ever seen. I know quite a few people have already done so, but I'll be getting the Opeth O tattooed on my left shoulder; Devin Townsend's Ocean Machine logo will be going on the right. I just don't understand why they went through the trouble of placing the logo and title on the album cover for the web and then not using it for the tangible product. But, the point is, Ghost Reveries is fucking exquisite and you should go buy it instead of the reeking piles of horseshit the radio spews nonstop like Syndrome Of A Down and Green Day.
Submitted by Death_Metal_Dude (user info) at 2005-09-02 21:53:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
yeah so did mine, it looks better I think
my list:
Still Life
MAYH
Ghost Reveries
Blackwater Part
Morningrise
Orchid
Damnation
Deliverance
Submitted by A-Daamage (user info) at 2005-09-02 17:50:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Also, my copy of the album came sans logo or album title on the cover. Did every one else's copy not look like the cover Opeth posted on their site (which is also the cover I attached to this post)? I know Mikael wanted the first three albums to be without logo or album title as well, so I'm wondering if he didn't just finally do it with this album, although I really would've preferred the logo and title to be on the cover, as I think it looks better; but then again, Opeth is Mikael's band, not mine (un-fucking-fortunately).
Submitted by A-Daamage (user info) at 2005-09-02 17:42:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
After the first couple of ratings, I was thinking to myself, "How long until DMD makes his way to this post?"
And I can't believe I fucked up the Martins, especially since I usually give shit to others who do the same thing. My sincerist apologies to the Martins. Since Opeth is one of my top 5 favorite bands, I can't believe I fucked up something like that. That's my "doh!" for the day.
And here's my list of Opeth albums from best to least best:
1. My Arms, Your Hearse
2. Ghost Reveries
3. Still Life
4. Damnation
5. Blackwater Park
6. Deliverance
7. Morningrise
8. Orchid
But, as I said, I love them all.
Submitted by Death_Metal_Dude (user info) at 2005-09-02 16:57:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"Martin Mendez's drums are clever, solid and never boring. Martin Lopez's bass is full and accentuates every piece of music with grace and confidence."
dude you mixed up the Martins
anyway this album is phenomenal, and takes 3rd place after Still Life and MAYH in their repertoire
Submitted by A-Daamage (user info) at 2005-09-02 16:21:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
bob, I saw that show, and it was beyond sick. Tool's live show is really something to behold.
Also, Mikael's death vocals are awesome in part because he articulates his words instead of just trying to rupture an artery to deliver the growls. You can actually understand what he's screaming/growling. And like I stated in the post, his clean vocals are almost beyond words. He's easily my favorite singer with one of the most silky, pure voices in music history. All of my vocal work is based on his sound, both clean and extreme styles. He's a fucking monster and I don't know how he doesn't throw his voice out. You HAVE to hear his singing on this album. If you don't like death vocals, there's PLENTY of clean singing to admire. And admired it should be. This band has gone unnoticed for far too long.
Submitted by A-Daamage (user info) at 2005-09-02 16:15:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Oh, definitely, GLALL. Corporate bullshit and trend-pimps have been killing the music scene for years. Which is why I love the fact that Opeth has signed to Roadrunner, a label that's almost completely gone down the shitter in the last 5 years, being a home to such unbelievable crap as Nickelback and Dry Kill Logic. With the loss of Type O Negative and other big hitters that gave the label its reputation, RR was in desperate need of a band with the talent and maturity that Opeth brings along. Son of a FUCK this album rules. I just can't stop listening to it.
Submitted by bob (user info) at 2005-09-02 16:09:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
man...i would have loved to see the meshuggah and tool in 2003.
that would have been a sick show.
i really havent dabbled in metal too much.
cant stand the yelling and screaming and the really deep voices.
i want to be able to hear what hes saying with other emotions then just: RAWR THE PAIN I FEEL!!!
Submitted by GodLovesALittleLovin (user info) at 2005-09-02 15:05:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Damn fine point A, I see what you're saying about Still Life being slightly choppy and the whole "taking it in as a seperate entity" thing. I'm willing to listen to any album from close to any genre with an open mind as long as I get the feeling that it's passionate, not for commercial success, or just really out of this world. Contracts and obligations to record companies have been killing music for years I must say.
Submitted by A-Daamage (user info) at 2005-09-02 14:43:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
GlALL - Actually, I thought Still Life was a slight (very slight) letdown after MAYH completely changed how I looked at music. I absolutely love Still Life, but I have to disagree your mention of it flowing perfectly. The most obvious point is the end of Serenity Painted Death. They basically bulled a Type O Negative and just cut the song off abruptly. It's a very jarring transition between that song and White Cluster. Other than that, I love the album, as I do all their albums, even Orchid, which seems to fall under the radar with most Opeth fans.
Also, I know what you mean about expectations, which is why I now buy new albums from artists I love with as much objectivity and naivity as possible. This allows me to treat the album as a blank slate and I just let it roll over me, leaving a brand new, untainted impression. This is also why I refuse to listen to leaks or sample tracks before an album is released. I don't want my perception of the album tainted or biased by one song I've already heard and therefor would be unable to keep from comparing the rest of the album to. I want to hear the album as a whole, completely fresh, for the first time and then base my judgment on that initial listen. I also don't go in with an expectation of "I hope this is as good as their last one". I go in thinking "I wonder what they'll do on this one?" Treat each album as a seperate entity without comparing each one to older ones and you'll be able to really let it sink in and focus on only those songs on the album at hand.
Submitted by w_t_a_y_s_t_r_m (user info) at 2005-09-02 14:09:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Not heard the new one yet to be honest, but I cant imagine anything beating deliverance. And if it does, I'll be well impressed
Submitted by GodLovesALittleLovin (user info) at 2005-09-02 14:07:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm still one of those hardcore Still Life fans, I just still think that album was flawless as far as craft and the flow of the album. In no way am I saying that Ghosts Reveries is anything but excellent, with fantastic production and some of great riffs. I even think it's better than (Gasp) Blackwater Park, which was fantastic in it's own right. I think my expectations of this band were just so high by this point that when it came out that I was almost looking for a reason to criticize it and became dead-set in the thought-pattern that I didn't like the last track for some reason, but I'm coming around to it now, and I think that this is definitely one of their best offerings.
Submitted by w_t_a_y_s_t_r_m (user info) at 2005-09-02 14:01:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Opeth were the opening act at download last year. they were the best band imaginable. only band i've ever seen better live were lamb of god. They deserved to be much higher on the bill (as in headline)
Submitted by Bubba2341 (user info) at 2005-09-02 13:57:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I gotta listen to some new music. I've never even heard of this
band. The rating is for the writing, which was great.
Submitted by A-Daamage (user info) at 2005-09-02 13:56:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
GLALL - you think so? I don't think they've made this cohesive of an album since My Arms, Your Hearse and I'm having a hard time deciding which one I like better. MAYH has long been my favorite especially since it contains my favorite Opeth track, When. But with this album, they've really outdone themselves. Mike's voice just radiates through the whole album.
Submitted by The_Yellow_Dart (user info) at 2005-09-02 13:52:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Opeth is awesome
Submitted by kai070169 (user info) at 2005-09-02 13:52:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
Lynard Skynard, dude!
Submitted by mastershake (user info) at 2005-09-02 13:50:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
No Comment
Submitted by GodLovesALittleLovin (user info) at 2005-09-02 13:49:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I saw that this was going to be a review of the new Opeth and just +2'ed it. Solid album, even though I think near the end it starts to wear on you. Ghosts of Perdition is probably one of the best songs that band has ever done in my opinion.