― bob snoom, Thursday, 17 October 2002 13:11 (twenty-one years ago) link
― J0hn Darn13lle, Thursday, 17 October 2002 13:29 (twenty-one years ago) link
I'm inclined to echo the sentiment that they could be great if they got their shit together and write something coherent. People seem to love them though - and I do enjoy some of it (mainly "Orchid", probably because that's the first thing I heard from them and it has quite well done twin guitar melodies). It's nothing like Dream Theater who always had that annoying 70s/early 80s "heavy metal" wanking thing along with the OTT prog attitude. And nothing like the "smothering the listener with rhythmical chaos" approach of Meshuggah either. It's quite laid back stuff really, even the "heavy" passages aren't extreme at all.
― Siegbran (eofor), Thursday, 17 October 2002 15:10 (twenty-one years ago) link
How I heard of the band in the first place, actually! Thanks to Steven Wilson producing...
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 17 October 2002 15:28 (twenty-one years ago) link
― dog latin, Thursday, 17 October 2002 15:34 (twenty-one years ago) link
they get points for naming one of their albums using a line from a comus song, though.
― your null fame (yournullfame), Thursday, 17 October 2002 19:48 (twenty-one years ago) link
― your null fame (yournullfame), Thursday, 17 October 2002 19:49 (twenty-one years ago) link
I can see why Opeth is so popular outside metal circles, it's very much a metal band for people who don't like metal. They're very conventional melodically, not very inaccessible or harsh and keep the distorted guitars and growly vocals in bite-sized 2 minute chunks. They might be formulaic, but they're not one-dimensional and can pull off a range of vocal styles and melodies. Plus they don't talk about Satan, Odhinn, misanthropy or nuclear armageddon, which also broadens their appeal...
― Siegbran (eofor), Thursday, 17 October 2002 21:12 (twenty-one years ago) link
'still life' is still the masterpiece.
everything else with the exception of 'damnation' (which is pretty average) ranges from very good to excellent. at their sharpest and most focused, they are pretty unbeatable in the metal genre, i'd suggest. they are weaker at times when their songs don't follow a cohesive structure and there's discordance between the heavier and more mellow parts.
― Charlie Howard, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 08:06 (sixteen years ago) link
I haven't heard anything earlier than Blackwater Park, but everything I have heard ranges from very good to excellent. Both the clean and death vocals took some getting used to for me, but I don't mind them now. I suppose they might infuriate metal purists because of their prog/folk tendencies. Great riffs, melodies, and musicianship; interesting textures, arrangements and song structures. They might be a bit too earnest for some tastes.
― o. nate, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 17:53 (sixteen years ago) link
the deeper I got into metal, the less I liked Opeth, though Blackwater Park still does the trick for me - it's pretty much all the Opeth I need
IOW Siegbran OTM, unsurprisingly
― J0hn D., Wednesday, 27 June 2007 18:03 (sixteen years ago) link
i still like the old stuff best. the last album lost me completely, even though it's a pretty impressive performance. well, i did like damnation/deliverence, so i guess i don't only like their old stuff. the only album i truly love by them though is morningrise and i haven't played it in ages.
― scott seward, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 18:08 (sixteen years ago) link
well, the last album didn't LOSE me, really, it's a natural progression from damnation/deliverence, i just never want to play it. i listened to it twice, i think.
― scott seward, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 18:09 (sixteen years ago) link
i would definitely recommend damnation/deliverence to prog fans and hard rock fans and i would definitely recommend morningrise to metal fans. most metal fans have probably already heard it though. but just in case!
― scott seward, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 18:11 (sixteen years ago) link
the deeper I got into metal, the less I liked Opeth
I'm curious- is that because you found other metal bands that do what Opeth does, only better? Or is it because your tastes changed and you found less need for what Opeth does well? Does that make sense? I suppose maybe that what you liked in Opeth when you first heard them was their metal side, and as you got more into metal, you found other bands that hit that nerve more directly. However, if what you liked about Opeth at first was not their metal side but the way they fused different styles, then perhaps you would have had a different experience as you listened further into metal.
― o. nate, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 18:38 (sixteen years ago) link
yeah - other bands who on the surface seemed super-harsh turned out to be up to at least as much interesting stuff as Opeth. Especially Katatonia (who have also jumped the shark tho), the Brave Murder Days comp was kinda my "why would I listen to Opeth when this is sorta aiming for the same mood only hitting it so much harder and deeper" moment - Opeth starts to seem like the whitewashed version of something a lot more complex & interesting
― J0hn D., Wednesday, 27 June 2007 19:33 (sixteen years ago) link
I'll check out Katatonia. The first thing I noticed when I looked up Brave Murder Day on Amazon is that Mike Akerfeldt (Opeth's vocalist, guitarist, and, from what I gather, primary songwriter) is also the vocalist on it.
― o. nate, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 20:00 (sixteen years ago) link
I'm still into Opeth plenty...they're definitely one of my faves. And I thought still think Ghost Reveries is fantastic. Right up there with Blackwater Park, Still Life, and My Arms, Your Hearse.
And Katatonia jumping the shark??? The Great Cold Distance is the strongest thing they've ever done.
― A. Begrand, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 20:48 (sixteen years ago) link
"The Great Cold Distance is the strongest thing they've ever done."
it really really isn't, but i think it's nice of you to feel that way.
― scott seward, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 22:31 (sixteen years ago) link
It has some of the best clean vocals I have hear on a metal album in years. And yeah, in this band's case, I prefer Renske's more understated vocal approach, it works extremely well.
― A. Begrand, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 22:49 (sixteen years ago) link
well, yeah, but it's similar to their last four albums in that regard. i just don't think the songs are as strong.
― scott seward, Thursday, 28 June 2007 00:21 (sixteen years ago) link
listened to Brave Murder Days on the airplane today for, like, the tenth time this year - Christ but Katatonia was well beyond great in those days. I don't think Opeth ever did anything as good as that early Katatonia stuff.
― J0hn D., Tuesday, 7 August 2007 02:15 (sixteen years ago) link
i agree with a. begrand about 'the great cold distance'. and contrary to what a lot of people think about it being 'alternative rock', it's actually a pretty HEAVY record. i think it's just got the edge over 'last fair deal gone down' which is more rock-based, with a pervading cure influence (see: intro to 'tonight's music')
and i think 'still life' is much more developed and interesting that early katatonia, which i nevertheless still like a lot. :)
― Charlie Howard, Tuesday, 7 August 2007 04:14 (sixteen years ago) link
Morningrise is the only Opeth I like as much as early Katatonia. Morningrise and Damnation/Deliverence might be all I need from the band. Or the only ones I want to play anyway.
― scott seward, Tuesday, 7 August 2007 04:29 (sixteen years ago) link
i just want a new October Tide album. Or a new Diabolical Masquerade album.
― scott seward, Tuesday, 7 August 2007 04:32 (sixteen years ago) link
this is cool info too about the Diabolical Masquerade albums:
ENTIRE BACK CATALOGUE TO BE RE-ISSUED
Peaceville records has bought the rights to the back catalogue previously released under Avantgarde and Adipocere records and will re-master and re-issue each title in the near future. Up first on November 6 is Nightwork with bonus track called Cryztalline Fiendz (previously only available on the Nightwork LP version, ltd to 500 copies) now entirely remixed and orchestrated. The digipak will also feature liner notes + different photos.
~BlaKKheim
― scott seward, Tuesday, 7 August 2007 04:34 (sixteen years ago) link
though i think i'm only missing the first one.
any katatonia fans who have never heard the october tide albums need to beg borrow or steal copies:
http://www.myspace.com/octobertideband
(i like them just as much as prime katatonia)
― scott seward, Tuesday, 7 August 2007 04:44 (sixteen years ago) link
yeah, they're pretty mega - scott is correct. check it out
― Charlie Howard, Tuesday, 7 August 2007 13:06 (sixteen years ago) link
wondering what opeth's next one is going to sound like (yes, i still care)
― Charlie Howard, Wednesday, 8 August 2007 15:09 (sixteen years ago) link
Just watched Lamentations. I think it's probably better (for me, anyway) to approach Opeth as if they are a prog band rather than a metal band.
― roxymuzak, Thursday, 3 January 2008 21:15 (sixteen years ago) link
This means, of course, approaching them in a cape.
― roxymuzak, Thursday, 3 January 2008 21:16 (sixteen years ago) link
Right, that does it. I only have 4 of their albums, my bro has the rest. *gets copying*
― Just got offed, Thursday, 3 January 2008 21:18 (sixteen years ago) link
the first four albums are definitely classic, especially Orchid, Morningrise, and STill Life (I really like My Arms Your Hearse too)
I was bored by Blackwater Park and haven't heard the rest.
― Bo Jackson Overdrive, Friday, 4 January 2008 00:26 (sixteen years ago) link
I have seen Opeth 5 times. I am Agalloch's booking agent. I have never heard Katatonia. Where the hell do I start?
― Nate Carson, Friday, 4 January 2008 09:52 (sixteen years ago) link
OK now I have all the Opeth albums, but no real inclination to listen to them. I think Siegbran has a point when he says that they don't really stretch themselves towards dissonance or unusual sounds. It's generally either heavy-ish melodic metal or folkiness, with little in between. Their very best songs make this not matter, but there's no way I can love this stuff as much as the majority of new-era black metal I've heard so far.
"The Baying Of The Hounds", "The Moor" or "The Drapery Falls" are as good a place to start as any. Their best folky section IMO is the bit between about 2 and 5 minutes in "Blackwater Park". That bit actually chills me slightly.
― Just got offed, Friday, 4 January 2008 10:09 (sixteen years ago) link
"Their very best songs make this not matter, but there's no way I can love this stuff as much as the majority of new-era black metal I've heard so far."
Why compare it to this (not that you have with this sentence, but it sounds like you have compared them or are associating the two in some way)?
"...they don't really stretch themselves towards dissonance or unusual sounds"
Unusual sounds? I agree. Dissonance? They use dissonance all the time!
― roxymuzak, Friday, 4 January 2008 10:13 (sixteen years ago) link
Dissonance is perhaps too general. I'm talking about what many would term 'noise', clashing genuinely obtuse amelodic sounds in order to disorientate and challenge the listener. Too much of Opeth is, I believe, comfortable in its tried-and-trusted melodicism. The dude's cookie-monster vocals don't count!
My comparison is perhaps a fallacy, based on my relatively recent pledge to 'get into metal'. I've known about Opeth a lot longer than I've known about all this wonderful stuff I've only recently found out about, and it's natural to compare the two. As you say, treating Opeth as a prog band may bear more fruit, and may prevent me from abandoning them entirely.
― Just got offed, Friday, 4 January 2008 10:24 (sixteen years ago) link
Certainly clean production is a key ingredient in Opeth's studio work. It was the first hurdle I had to get over before beginning to love them.
But I agree that there's plenty of dissonance in say the title track on Deliverance.
Just understand that they were a studio band for years and years, almost never playing live at all until Blackwater Park. And as for the noise... they are really technically advanced players. They don't want to be Darkthrone.
These guys are by far the best at what they do.
― Nate Carson, Friday, 4 January 2008 10:40 (sixteen years ago) link
My only gripes about Opeth are:
1) The production on the first 3 albums is sub-par 2) The first song on Ghost Reveries has a Tool-ish riff 3) Their incredible drummer has left the building
Otherwise, I love love love Opeth.
― Nate Carson, Friday, 4 January 2008 10:41 (sixteen years ago) link
"I have never heard Katatonia. Where the hell do I start?"
brave murder day. then discouraged ones. then continue forward if you like that stuff.
Even Though Katatonia Are One Of My Very Favorite Rock & Roll Bands I Do Have A Complaint
― scott seward, Friday, 4 January 2008 10:43 (sixteen years ago) link
Hmm. Well my comments on this thread amount to a battle within myself, really. I want to have absorbed and appreciated their entire output, but I'm not sure whether I can motivate myself to go through the process. Some of what I've heard demonstrates inspired songwriting and breathtaking musicianship, but equally a lot merges into an indistinct soup of Nordic handwringing. If you could suggest a couple of songs from each album to concentrate upon, I'd be grateful!
― Just got offed, Friday, 4 January 2008 10:47 (sixteen years ago) link
"Bleak Harvest", "Windowpane", "Deliverance", "Baying of the Hounds" are a few of my favorite tracks from the last 4 albums respectively.
― Nate Carson, Friday, 4 January 2008 17:13 (sixteen years ago) link
Haha, "Baying of the Hounds" is my favourite Opeth song full stop (at this point)!
― Just got offed, Friday, 4 January 2008 20:48 (sixteen years ago) link
i think this is my favorite metal album:
http://static.metal-archives.com/images/4/7/4/474.jpg
just sayin' (although the dude from opeth does guest on it).
― Jordan, Friday, 4 January 2008 20:51 (sixteen years ago) link
A friend of mine criticized Lamentations for not containing enough chaos (haw), but, as I said before, I think this is an innapropriate way to approach a band that is essentially a prog band anymore (ok, there are the occasional deathy vox, but what else, especially anymore?). I appreciate Lamentations as a musical performance, not in the same way that I would appreciate, say, Bad Brains Live at CBGB's (as a show). It seems like a common criticism (from metal fans) of Opeth is exactly that: not enough chaos (dissonance, heaviness, etc). This isn't really a criticism in itself, though. It's just about frustrated expectations.
― roxymuzak, Friday, 4 January 2008 20:57 (sixteen years ago) link
*inappropriate, ugh
― roxymuzak, Friday, 4 January 2008 20:58 (sixteen years ago) link
Frustrated expectations, yes, but I can't help listening to this stuff and sometimes really wishing they'd throw in a really awesome techno breakdown or noisescape or whatever, just to heighten the sense of progression, to give the ear more things to play off one another.
― Just got offed, Friday, 4 January 2008 21:00 (sixteen years ago) link
See, I can't imagine any of that in Opeth's music. There is a lot of stuff going on in there as it is!
― roxymuzak, Friday, 4 January 2008 21:02 (sixteen years ago) link
other albums i liked in high school:
http://www.icedearth.com/discography/c_burntofferings_400.jpg
― Jordan, Friday, 4 January 2008 21:03 (sixteen years ago) link
http://fsmat.at/%7Eatrax/Florilegium/Paradise-Lost_Draconian-Times_cover.jpg
― Jordan, Friday, 4 January 2008 21:04 (sixteen years ago) link
http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/images/stories/interviews/amorphis/amorphis-elegy.jpg
(lj this one has a silly techno break in one song)
Yeah, Roxy, there's a lot, but I dunno, a lot of the loud parts and a lot of the folky parts sound similar to one another, even if they're devilishly complex or immaculately juxtaposed or whatever.
Look, I'll shut up and listen to the yet-unheard albums, see if anything changes. :)
Haha, I only threw techno breaks in as an example of contrast, of surprise. I can't imagine many bands pulling it off *in actuality* without it sounding a teeny bit incongruent/silly.
― Just got offed, Friday, 4 January 2008 21:07 (sixteen years ago) link
JGO:
Perhaps you should start with the recent live album, The Roundhouse Tapes, which is a fairly career-spanning 2CD set.
― unperson, Friday, 4 January 2008 21:15 (sixteen years ago) link
...but I have all 8 studio albums right here on my computer!
*checks brother's collection*
Haha, he's got the Roundhouse Tapes AND Live in Toronto...
― Just got offed, Friday, 4 January 2008 21:22 (sixteen years ago) link
OK fuck I stick Blackwater Park (live) on and the idiot crowd are CLAPPING their way through the REALLY CREEPY, MOVING, BEAUTIFUL FOLKY BIT, aaaaargh
― Just got offed, Friday, 4 January 2008 21:27 (sixteen years ago) link
I agree that Still Life is their masterpiece.
― roxymuzak, Saturday, 5 January 2008 05:15 (sixteen years ago) link
Ghost Reveries is the only one I have, it leaned a bit too much toward the folky/soft for my taste. Love the first track!
So Still Life or Blackwater Park next?
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Saturday, 5 January 2008 06:18 (sixteen years ago) link
so you agree with me, roxymuzak. yay!
big hoos, opt for 'still life' next, but really you can't go wrong with 'blackwater park' either, since it's fantastic as well, and perhaps the acknowledged fan favourite.
louis, i can imagine that slogging through their entire catalogue in one go is a pretty full-on task. there is just so much to take on board - the evolution of the band, the path that it has taken to get where it is today, is actually one of the more intriguing aspects of the band. also, there's so much to discover in opeth's music, a lot of which will only become apparent after several listens. 'the moor', as you identified somewhere, is one of the defining moments though.
nate, i really like the production on 'morningrise' :) often sounds like the tunes are hiding beneath layers of frost, but the music and sound does an impeccable job of encapsulating the atmosphere of the classic cover art.
― Charlie Howard, Wednesday, 12 March 2008 13:28 (sixteen years ago) link
I have listened a bit to "Blackwater Park" as they have been sort of recommended to me as the metal band I could like.
And, I mean, parts of it is really great. Some really nice atmospheric arrangements, great playing, great compositions. Some of the track I really like.
But then, in other parts of the record, they have to drag the entire thing down with that unbearable growling and way exaggerated über-heavy marshall riffs that make me scream "Why???" Why do they have to ruin an otherwise good record with those unlistenable elements?
― Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 12 March 2008 19:01 (sixteen years ago) link
Hey, Geir, you might like their acoustic album "Damnation".
― o. nate, Wednesday, 12 March 2008 19:04 (sixteen years ago) link
Oops, sorry, not exactly acoustic - but from what I've read, it's minus the growling and heavy riffs.
― o. nate, Wednesday, 12 March 2008 19:06 (sixteen years ago) link
Yeah, Geir, you would like Damnation a lot, and I think there are gonna be a lot of things you'll like about the upcoming album.
― unperson, Wednesday, 12 March 2008 19:39 (sixteen years ago) link
I definitely haven't written off the first 3... but at this point I own so much Opeth. It's hard to feel like I'm missing anything. Anticipating the new album though!
― Nate Carson, Wednesday, 12 March 2008 20:12 (sixteen years ago) link
Well, the parts I liked sounded kind of like Porcupine Tree - a band that is obviously not metal but I know they still have several metal fans. And Opeth without the obvious metal elements would be really good. I checked out that album because it is sort of considered their "classic", but maybe I should have a listen to the others too. Except they will then be their answers to "The Elder" and "Their Majesties Satanic Request", I suspect: "Unrepresentative" albums that I like just because they sound atypical of the act's usual style.
― Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 12 March 2008 20:24 (sixteen years ago) link
'blackwater park', the record is largely phenomenal. 'bleak' is perhaps the best opeth track out there, and then you have undeniable classics like 'the drapery falls' (awesome live incidentally) and 'the leper affinity'. but i've never been sold as much on the second half of the record. the title track is an engaging riff-monster, but 'dirge for november' (one of the least inspired opeth tunes ever) and 'funeral portrait' are pretty unimpressive to me when weighed up against the band's best material.
anticipating 'watershed' along with everybody else!
― Charlie Howard, Thursday, 13 March 2008 01:54 (sixteen years ago) link
just sat through 'black rose immortal'. it's majestic all the way through, but doesn't have much of a cohesive feel to it. sort of feels like a pastiche of a whole bunch of individual passages. that's sort of cool in a way - makes the experience of listening to it feel like an expression of distinctly different moods, kind of like the ballet.
― Charlie Howard, Thursday, 13 March 2008 14:08 (sixteen years ago) link
i've actually been on a bit of a 'morningrise' kick recently. i used to play this one a few times a day back in around 1998. i haven't revisited it in a serious way in quite a while. pretty fantastic record.
― Charlie Howard, Sunday, 23 March 2008 12:47 (sixteen years ago) link
If the "Brave Murder Days comp" is the same as the Brave Murder Day album (or overlaps it), then I have finally gotten around to listening to this. I ahve to say though, I don't find the Katatonia to be "a lot more complex & interesting" - in fact, the opposite. Not that the Katatonia is bad. I like it and will continue to listen to it, but it seems a bit apples & oranges to compare it to Opeth, despite having Akerfeldt's vocals on it. The Katatonia is a lot more goth, even a bit shoegazer - where Opeth is more prog & folk. Katatonia is a bit droney - not as much dynamic and structural varation - though perhaps more consistent in mood. I can see why some might prefer it, but I don't think it's quite the Opeth-killer it was made out to be.
― o. nate, Wednesday, 23 April 2008 15:44 (fifteen years ago) link
yep, it's definitely very difficult to put opeth and katatonia in the same basket. the beauty of it is, you can have both bands in your world and they'll provide completely different listening experiences and take you to different places.
in terms of hitting a particular mood in a profound way, i'd agree that katatonia is more fitting. the premise of the songs often relates to melancholy and depression of a day-to-day nature. raw, candid emotions are channeled very explicitly and directly through both the lyrics and vocal deliveries. jonas renkse appears to be some sort of depressive.
opeth are undeniably sombre and melancholy at times, but listening to their songs is like hearing a story or narrative unfold. m. akerfeldt is all about developing and creating a sad scenario and musical backdrop for us. there is a fairly elaborate creative process to most opeth songs that stems from an imagined and often rather ethereal and otherwordly vision. the listener is therefore best advised to approach the music as a complete construction, rather than as an expression of sheer tangible emotion that naturally translates itself into song. that's not to suggest that opeth are wooden, soulless bores a la dream theater. for opeth, the emotive element is derived from an all-encomassing love for music and a desire to explore the possibilities of song and sound in innovative and touching ways. the fact that the crafting of music is such an honest and inspired process for opeth is one of the principle resons the music can be so affecting.
― Charlie Howard, Thursday, 24 April 2008 10:00 (fifteen years ago) link
C
― strgn, Thursday, 24 April 2008 10:02 (fifteen years ago) link
Blackwater Park is a great work soundtrack today.
― Four-TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN! (HI DERE), Friday, 31 July 2009 18:37 (fourteen years ago) link
Blackwater Park's alright, but I'm really not into the clean vocals, they're limp. And the cookie monster vocals sound a bit noncommittal too. My favourite parts are the intros to The Drapery Falls and the title track - great epic riffing. Are there any bands who do this kind of thing but better?
― chap, Sunday, 4 October 2009 02:53 (fourteen years ago) link
Honestly I feel like "Ghosts of Perdition" is their ultimate high point, everything they do well at top level within a mere 11 minutes!
― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Sunday, 4 October 2009 02:58 (fourteen years ago) link
crapeth
― Spectrum, Sunday, 4 October 2009 03:07 (fourteen years ago) link
― roxymuzak, Thursday, January 3, 2008 9:16 PM (1 year ago) Bookmark
― ian, Sunday, 4 October 2009 03:13 (fourteen years ago) link
the grand conjuration
― kamerad, Sunday, 4 October 2009 03:33 (fourteen years ago) link
I'd been following them for a while but Blackwater Park was where I really got on board. That's also when they started touring the states.
At this point though, I think the production has improved so much, that I strongly recommend the last two for the new listener.
If you're just looking for brutality though, Deliverance is their heaviest work through and through. That title track... wow.
― Nate Carson, Sunday, 4 October 2009 06:33 (fourteen years ago) link
Also want to add that I've seen them live six times now. I've seen them be good, and I've seen them totally suck (due to the drummer not showing up, and the drum tech attempting to fill in). But this year's tour, with Enslaved in support, was just epic. Opeth has finally become a world class stage act. I mean I felt like I was seeing Rush or Zeppelin. It was that powerful. Took them 20 years, but they've got it.
― Nate Carson, Sunday, 4 October 2009 06:34 (fourteen years ago) link
― Spectrum, Sunday, October 4, 2009 11:07 AM (3 hours ago) Bookmark
― power, corruption & plies (dyao), Sunday, 4 October 2009 06:34 (fourteen years ago) link
yeah, the last time i saw opeth they were unstoppable. they've always exuded confidence and know-how, but these days they're just so incredibly on-song when you catch them live. it's a shame that i rarely feel like listening to them these days (most of the records i've played to death and the others i've never quite been able to embrace unconditionally). i do find myself returning pretty consistently to my arms, your hearse though. it's kind of a singular release in the opeth canon - can't really find any discernible link to what came before or after it. 'april ethereal' is a bit of a show-stopper.
― charlie h, Thursday, 16 September 2010 05:34 (thirteen years ago) link
and the second half of 'when'. i mean, wow.
― charlie h, Thursday, 16 September 2010 05:43 (thirteen years ago) link
So I'm enjoying Ghost Reveries more than anything else I've heard by them. Highest placing Opeth in the metal poll iirc?
― Rejoice that you weren't eaten (chap), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 13:46 (thirteen years ago) link
The guitar solos still stink of cheese though.
― Rejoice that you weren't eaten (chap), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 13:49 (thirteen years ago) link
Ghost Reveries is easily the best of their post-Still Life material. I love how they reined in their noodling tendencies and tightened their songwriting, while still keeping the "metal" bits metal.
Lots of the melodies remind me of 70s prog rock. Really a high point in their catalog.
Its not my favorite--my love for the first four albums prevents that, but definitely a favorite in the catalog.
― emma goldbond (San Te), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 13:51 (thirteen years ago) link
Hmm can't say I see much cheesy about the solos, never considered them real memorable but its not like they are Quiet Riot solos
― emma goldbond (San Te), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 13:52 (thirteen years ago) link
I've only listened to post-BWP stuff in any detail, I'll check out their earlier stuff.
― Rejoice that you weren't eaten (chap), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 13:52 (thirteen years ago) link
I think it's the guitar tones they use for the solos that bothers me, in some parts they sound like Chris Rea or something.
― Rejoice that you weren't eaten (chap), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 13:53 (thirteen years ago) link
Xpost Ahh yea then - I didn't like BWP, was bored by Damnation and Deliverance...liked but didn't love Watershed.
Earlier stuff is more meandering and progressive, less clean vocals (though they're still there). Think Morningrise and Orchid are my favs.
― emma goldbond (San Te), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 13:56 (thirteen years ago) link
BWP has three great tracks IMO (the first two and The Drapery Falls).
― Rejoice that you weren't eaten (chap), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 13:59 (thirteen years ago) link
am really partial to the title-track, and yeah TDF
Baying Of The Hounds from Ghost Reveries is their best song. Every part kills it. This band often bores me but that song goddamn nails it.
― I've been dancing since 9 and I'm tired and hungry (acoleuthic), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 14:00 (thirteen years ago) link
The opening couple of minutes of TDF is prob my favourite passage of theirs.
― Rejoice that you weren't eaten (chap), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 14:01 (thirteen years ago) link
― Just got offed, Friday, 4 January 2008 10:09 (3 years ago)
haven't really changed my mind about this band in 3 years haha
Watershed had its moments too, for sure. I've got every Opeth album on my computer, sometimes they come up on shuffle and satisfy me
― I've been dancing since 9 and I'm tired and hungry (acoleuthic), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 14:04 (thirteen years ago) link
I finally deleted Blackwater Park out of my iTunes after like 4 years of having it in there and telling myself I was going to listen to it all the way through someday.
― kkvgz, Tuesday, 25 January 2011 14:08 (thirteen years ago) link
nah, BWP is a great album. it just peters off for a bit after the drapery falls. but it comes back for a king hit with the title track. i still think bleak is the all round best opeth song out there. hard to go past still life as the best album though.
anyway, i get tired of posting about opeth on here. seems like a bit of a losing cause singing their praises, when there's so many people wanting to tear them down.
― charlie h, Tuesday, 25 January 2011 16:08 (thirteen years ago) link
;_;
― I've been dancing since 9 and I'm tired and hungry (acoleuthic), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 16:09 (thirteen years ago) link
See, I don't think I ever made it to Drapery Falls.
― kkvgz, Tuesday, 25 January 2011 16:10 (thirteen years ago) link
it's a great song it's their shoegaze song
― I've been dancing since 9 and I'm tired and hungry (acoleuthic), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 16:11 (thirteen years ago) link
dude, i sound like a broken record when i talk about them on here. always jumping to their defence and rehashing the same shit.
i got into opeth when i was 16 and back then i had the patience to listen intently to everything they released. i'd probably have a much harder time bothering these days. i mean i can barely listen to two maudlin of the well songs back to back.
― charlie h, Tuesday, 25 January 2011 16:16 (thirteen years ago) link
oh dude did you hear the kayo dot ep, it was awes
― I've been dancing since 9 and I'm tired and hungry (acoleuthic), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 16:17 (thirteen years ago) link
that one that came out last year? yeah, i heard that. definitely the best thing i've heard from either of those bands with the exception of the first KD album.
― charlie h, Tuesday, 25 January 2011 16:23 (thirteen years ago) link
yah it's awesome but dude you're sleeeeping on the second KD album, that was the stone classic imo, ___on limpid form is insanely good
stained glass ain't a bad place to start for the curious tho
opeth should release a 20-minute EP! actually all their albums should be shorter, then they'd be more approachable
― I've been dancing since 9 and I'm tired and hungry (acoleuthic), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 16:31 (thirteen years ago) link
i do think opeth need to do something drastically different with this next album. i mean all their albums are different from each other SOUNDWISE, but the basic approach towards songwriting, structures and dynamics has always been the same (MAYH and obviously damnation were a bit different though). i think their angle on progressive music has become a little narrow - things really don't need to be fleshed out for the sake of fleshing them out. and yes, they need to do something shorter. around 35 minutes would be perfect, provided there's not a wasted second of music.
― charlie h, Tuesday, 25 January 2011 16:51 (thirteen years ago) link
maybe steven wilson will streamline them into a soft-prog outfit
lawlz
― I've been dancing since 9 and I'm tired and hungry (acoleuthic), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 16:54 (thirteen years ago) link
btw if yr reading steven yr a good dude rly and porcupine tree are sometimes very good indeed, also u have excellent taste
that vocal interplay between wilson and akerfeldt on bleak is the stuff of genius.
― charlie h, Tuesday, 25 January 2011 17:04 (thirteen years ago) link
so awesome i had to post it twice. wtf
the STUFF
of GENIUS
― I've been dancing since 9 and I'm tired and hungry (acoleuthic), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 17:09 (thirteen years ago) link
should also mention while i'm on a roll that BWP is a brutal live track. i don't think they play it very often though.
― charlie h, Tuesday, 25 January 2011 17:16 (thirteen years ago) link
― Just got offed, Friday, 4 January 2008 21:27 (3 years ago)
haaa
Still Life is the one I'll probably return to next, tbh
― I've been dancing since 9 and I'm tired and hungry (acoleuthic), Tuesday, 25 January 2011 17:17 (thirteen years ago) link
SL is the only album of theirs that i wouldn't change a second of (ok, maybe face of melinda drags slightly). but yeah, it's a really nicely paced album with some unstoppable highlights (the folky midsection on godhead's lament, that lofty drawn-out intro to moonlapse vertigo, the tension of white cluster etc. etc.)
― charlie h, Tuesday, 25 January 2011 17:28 (thirteen years ago) link
I own several Opeth releases, saw them live on several ocassions and self-identify as a metalhead. But I have never been able to get into them at all. I used to think of this as a personal failing but now I blame them instead for boring me.
― NYCNative, Tuesday, 25 January 2011 19:47 (thirteen years ago) link
i'm quietly anticipating the next one. release date of september 20 apparently. meant to be a bit of a departure stylistically. could be pretty interesting.
― charlie h, Friday, 10 June 2011 23:06 (twelve years ago) link
new song starts just like "heart of the sunrise"
http://stereogum.com/766792/opeth-the-devils-orchard-stereogum-premiere/franchises/haunting-the-chapel/
not sure how i feel about the vocals. this worked on 'damnation,' but that was all mellow, folk-inflected stuff
― reggie (qualmsley), Thursday, 4 August 2011 02:39 (twelve years ago) link
I like the album a ton, his singing has never been stronger, plus it goes perfectly with the more progressive rock direction of the album.
― A. Begrand, Thursday, 4 August 2011 03:00 (twelve years ago) link
On my second listen and I'm really loving it, can't wait to hear the whole album. This is hitting my prog-loving sweet spot right now.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Thursday, 4 August 2011 03:02 (twelve years ago) link
almost tediously stop-start, but there's some great stuff going on in there somewhere. really nice guitar solo right at the end.
― charlie h, Thursday, 4 August 2011 03:17 (twelve years ago) link
loving "nepenthe" and "haxprocess." i've been waiting for songs like this since 'damnation'
― reggie (qualmsley), Saturday, 3 September 2011 13:12 (twelve years ago) link
interesting move for them. didn't realize heritage would be a throwback record from hearing "the devil's orchard" but wow is it ever. good stuff though.
― borntohula, Saturday, 3 September 2011 15:50 (twelve years ago) link
The more I hear about this album, the more excited I am. I mean, it pretty much makes 100% sense for them to just go ahead and do a full-on prog throwback album at this point.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Saturday, 3 September 2011 18:41 (twelve years ago) link
yeah, it does make sense. the problem though is that sound-wise this album isn't too far removed from the mellower parts of the last couple of opeth records. so, it's not so much a progression or departure as a more detailed exploration of sounds they've touched on previously. stylistically, this album probably has more in common with watershed than damnation -- i think i was hoping these songs would have more precise structures or something. i'm not particularly enthused by the vocal lines here either, which are really sounding recycled and cursory by this point. still these are earlier days, and it could all yet grow on me...
― charlie h, Saturday, 3 September 2011 20:55 (twelve years ago) link
the instrumentals that book-end the album are gorgeous, however.
― charlie h, Saturday, 3 September 2011 21:29 (twelve years ago) link
Listening to the live CD attached to the new issue of Rock Hard magazine. Pretty great. I'm gonna go see them (for the first time since 2003 or so) when they play NYC later this month.
― that's not funny. (unperson), Monday, 5 September 2011 12:36 (twelve years ago) link
should I go see opeth and katatonia in October, or go see belew and levin touring with their respective bands and apparently playing all of Discipline? these are on the same night. it is my week of prog, kicking off with the Musical Box doing the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Ending with Portishead though so not really.
― akm, Friday, 23 September 2011 05:51 (twelve years ago) link
Thats a tough call, if it were my choice I'd probably go with the Belew and Levin thing, it seems less likely to happen again soon than another Opeth tour.
Anyway, I'm still not sure how I feel about the new album. I do love how full-on prog it is, but on the first two full listens I've found myself wishing for some more upbeat moments to spice things up a little. Its striking me all as a little too pretty and safe I guess, even if the musicianship is wonderful.
― jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 23 September 2011 14:58 (twelve years ago) link
What a video:
http://www.pitchfork.com/news/44090-video-opeth-the-devils-orchard/
This is a real surprise, Opeth had never made good videos before.
― A. Begrand, Friday, 23 September 2011 15:02 (twelve years ago) link
it's a good album but it's also kind of dull, to me.
― akm, Friday, 23 September 2011 15:37 (twelve years ago) link
Show last night was excellent. The three acoustic songs mid-set ("Throat of Winter," "Credence" and "Patterns in the Ivy II") was received with a mix of bafflement and appreciation. What's really interesting is hearing them Heritage-ize their older songs. They're really working hard to put the new material into context of their whole history, and I think it's working.
― that's not funny. (unperson), Friday, 23 September 2011 17:35 (twelve years ago) link
I'm psyched to see them for the first time in a couple of weeks. Heritage is where I hoped they would go after the last record and I don't miss the death metal trappings at all. A beautiful, autumnal record hitting at a perfect time.
― EZ Snappin, Friday, 23 September 2011 17:39 (twelve years ago) link
that is an amazing week of music akm. portishead has gotten pretty prog imho, at least third . . . and barlow's involvement in crippled black phoenix and beak
thanks for that video. that is awesome
― reggie (qualmsley), Friday, 23 September 2011 17:40 (twelve years ago) link
Here's some video I shot of Opeth's NYC soundcheck last week...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcTQcKM6MqU
― that's not funny. (unperson), Monday, 26 September 2011 15:37 (twelve years ago) link
Seeing them for the first time tonight. Still psyched.
― EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 22:12 (twelve years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe65yrvlEDo
― that's not funny. (unperson), Thursday, 6 October 2011 19:30 (twelve years ago) link
That Devil's Orchard video is sweet!
Saw them a few nights ago at Stubb's in Austin. It was a good time, though I personally could have done without the acoustic set and with a bit more hard rocking. Both Opeth and Katatonia have very congenial stage presences as far as metal acts go.
― Moodles, Saturday, 8 October 2011 05:34 (twelve years ago) link
Only just caught up on Deliverance, pretty good! Might be tied with Ghost Reveries as my favourite.
― the joke should be over once the kid is eaten. (chap), Monday, 7 July 2014 13:30 (nine years ago) link
A Fair Judgement is massive.
― the joke should be over once the kid is eaten. (chap), Monday, 7 July 2014 13:47 (nine years ago) link
the new one sounds awesome, straight up complex and intricate, unabashedly progged out, way more what i was expecting from 'heritage', which i think half-stepped it a bit. just a few listens and already this is edging into motorpsycho 'death-defying unicorn' decade highlight territory
― reggie (qualmsley), Friday, 18 July 2014 00:35 (nine years ago) link
Ghost Reveries was the last one I loved, but i didn't hear Heritage.
― Neanderthal, Friday, 18 July 2014 00:41 (nine years ago) link
New one's fantastic.
― Humorist (horse) (誤訳侮辱), Friday, 18 July 2014 01:41 (nine years ago) link
"goblin" lives up to such a tall name. the versatility of these guys is really kind of staggering
― reggie (qualmsley), Friday, 18 July 2014 15:24 (nine years ago) link
where are you hearing this? it's not out yet is it?
― odd proggy geezer (Moodles), Friday, 18 July 2014 15:27 (nine years ago) link
It's not out until August 26, but it leaked yesterday.
― Humorist (horse) (誤訳侮辱), Friday, 18 July 2014 15:38 (nine years ago) link
it is available. sound quality is no good though. this is gonna sound enormous legit
― reggie (qualmsley), Friday, 18 July 2014 17:20 (nine years ago) link
The problem is that Opeth are both brilliant and shit, usually in the same song, since Mikael Akerfelt's way of writing a prog 'epic' is to sling disparate and unconnected riffs/parts together until he has 10 minutes worth of music. Or at least that's what it sounds like to me a lot of the time.
I love a lot of prog but Heritage was not a good example, it was just bloated and disjointed in all the bad ways. I'll still give this new one a listen, but my hope aren't high.
― ultros ultros-ghali, Friday, 18 July 2014 22:16 (nine years ago) link
lol my favourite opeth song is 'the baying of the hounds' but that's basically because of its 7 only vaguely connected parts about 5 or 6 are absolutely brilliant, their best strike-rate imo
― i'm elf-ein lusophonic (imago), Friday, 18 July 2014 22:18 (nine years ago) link
Akerfelt's way of writing a prog 'epic' is to sling disparate and unconnected riffs/parts together until he has 10 minutes worth of music. Or at least that's what it sounds like to me a lot of the time.
to be fair, this is pretty much what constitutes 95% of current "prog"
― Bus Sex Teen Busted After Queef Beef (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Friday, 18 July 2014 22:19 (nine years ago) link
depends what you mean by ""prog"", mayne
― i'm elf-ein lusophonic (imago), Friday, 18 July 2014 22:22 (nine years ago) link
I'm not even sure I know what I mean by """prog""", I just know that digging into the current bands that get hyped in places like the progarchives, a huge percentage of the bands are really bad at composing "epics" for the very reasons you suggest. I was just trying to say it isn't a trap that only Akerfelt falls into. The good thing about him is that his highs are so fucking high that it covers for the lackluster bits, for the most part.
― Bus Sex Teen Busted After Queef Beef (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Friday, 18 July 2014 22:24 (nine years ago) link
that's fair
― i'm elf-ein lusophonic (imago), Friday, 18 July 2014 22:26 (nine years ago) link
Album with the most highs per song = Blackwater Park, for me
And jon/via/chi I'm sure I'd be in agreement if I listened to more modern *prog* prog, as it is I prefer the more avant/RIO-leaning stuff that's bloated and disjointed in GOOD ways, y'know? (OK not all the time)
― ultros ultros-ghali, Friday, 18 July 2014 22:33 (nine years ago) link
blackwater park title-track and the drapery falls are up there yeah
ultros otm, the best 'prog' usually chooses to not define as such
― i'm elf-ein lusophonic (imago), Friday, 18 July 2014 22:37 (nine years ago) link
I think "Lotus Eater" is a brilliant assemblage of different segments, one of their best songs.
― Robert Adam Gilmour, Saturday, 19 July 2014 00:39 (nine years ago) link
yeah Watershed's a good record. I quite like Opeth!
― i'm elf-ein lusophonic (imago), Saturday, 19 July 2014 00:43 (nine years ago) link
I've always thought the "omg Opeth is nothing but Frankenstein-ish melding of parts that don't go together for ten minutes" accusation was greatly overstated. Not that I'm saying there's zero truth to it, but it isn't as if they sounded like a bunch of dorks in a guitar shop dicking around for a half hour.
They managed to write compelling songs and over time, streamlined their sound and honed their songwriting skills considerably (hell, "Still Life" and ongoing often have traditional song structures!).
I still love old Opeth too though - even when it's all over the place at times.
― Neanderthal, Saturday, 19 July 2014 00:49 (nine years ago) link
My Arms, Your Hearse through Blackwater Park is a pretty astonishing run. always thought they dropped off significantly after that, perhaps even getting progressively worse with each album. this new one seems a step up from Heritage though.
― charlie h, Saturday, 19 July 2014 00:50 (nine years ago) link
and not all of their stuff has been particularly disjointed. take a listen to Moonlapse Vertigo, for instance. that thing's a 10-minute opus and it flows gorgeously.
― charlie h, Saturday, 19 July 2014 00:53 (nine years ago) link
"April Ethereal" is one of my fav songs by them as well
― Neanderthal, Saturday, 19 July 2014 00:55 (nine years ago) link
she faced me in AWWWWEEEE
― charlie h, Saturday, 19 July 2014 00:56 (nine years ago) link
When could be my favourite Opeth song. the second half of that song is incredible.
― charlie h, Saturday, 19 July 2014 00:59 (nine years ago) link
The second song on the new album starts in one mode and stays there for the entire run. In fact, their guitarist Fredrik Åkesson joked about it in a recent interview - he said it was the first of their songs not to have a "forest-y part" in the middle.
― Humorist (horse) (誤訳侮辱), Saturday, 19 July 2014 01:02 (nine years ago) link
people who were disappointed by the last one might be more into this new one
― reggie (qualmsley), Saturday, 19 July 2014 14:54 (nine years ago) link
Saw them the other night on tour, fuck they are great live. I love their albums but I have to say that live it all kind of washes past me; he's doing much more growl-voice live than I expected. Anyway Sorceress is very good, I like it more than Pale Communion and maybe more than Heritage. That is all.
― akm, Thursday, 27 October 2016 23:56 (seven years ago) link
Massive C. Every decade has its bad metal, but all this gentrified middlebrow "smart" "artistic" metal for Hillary voters makes me kinda nostalgic for the bad metal of the 90s.
― punksishippies, Friday, 28 October 2016 00:35 (seven years ago) link
I mean D.
..............
Anyway, I tried to give Sorceress a go the other day but only got like three songs in. They just make me want to go and listen to some actual good prog, you know? Even their buddies Anekdoten do the retro-prog thing much more convincingly.
― ultros ultros-ghali, Friday, 28 October 2016 13:55 (seven years ago) link
It's fun to imagine Iron Mike saying it:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153966086531299&set=p.10153966086531299&type=3&theater
― Blood On The Knobs, Friday, 28 October 2016 15:30 (seven years ago) link
lol punksishippies you wasteman even phil fr33man thinks opeth are real metal
― imago, Friday, 28 October 2016 15:42 (seven years ago) link
punksishippies doesn't like anything the imaginary square living in his head wouldn't hate.
― Don Van Gorp, midwest regional VP, marketing (誤訳侮辱), Friday, 28 October 2016 17:07 (seven years ago) link
"the wilde flowers" rules. opeth going full prog is still totally mindboggling, like motorpsycho-, decemberists-, his name is alive-, and enslaved-level amazing imho
― reggie (qualmsley), Wednesday, 12 July 2017 15:43 (six years ago) link
Nah I keep frustratedly waiting for the shouty bits. D since Ghost Reveries pretty much.
― chap, Wednesday, 12 July 2017 16:02 (six years ago) link
That's not entirely fair of me, there have been some decent tracks.
But it's the tension between the pretty sections and the punishing sections that made them interesting to me. The pretty sections are pretty on their own, but somewhat inert.
― chap, Wednesday, 12 July 2017 16:08 (six years ago) link
No you're absolutely right. I wouldn't mind that Opeth went straight prog if they were any good at it, and they're not particularly "pretty" anymore anyway
― ultros ultros-ghali, Wednesday, 12 July 2017 16:11 (six years ago) link
To clarify, I meant they went off after Ghost Reveries. GR is excellent.
― chap, Wednesday, 12 July 2017 16:22 (six years ago) link
An important Facebook page:
"The Same Picture of Mikael Åkerfeldt Every Day"
https://www.facebook.com/SamepictureMikael
― akm, Wednesday, 24 January 2018 04:26 (six years ago) link
I don't know much about these guys, as people, but Mikael seems pretty cool. And to be honest, more than most rock guys I kinda feel like learning he was an asshole would totally bum me out. Anyway, this is entertaining:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPRCNGE9H9Y
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 September 2019 20:11 (four years ago) link
Like the last few, the new one is unapologetically prog, pomp and cheese and all, modestly heavy at times but kind of awesome at all times.
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 28 September 2019 00:11 (four years ago) link
I was surprised how much I enjoyed the new one
― Brad C., Saturday, 28 September 2019 12:23 (four years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xedYz1vZWsA
― Stockhausen Serves Empirical Jism (Matt #2), Saturday, 28 September 2019 12:47 (four years ago) link
That's awesome.
The addition of keyboard to Opeth really underscores the Van der Graaf influence. I've never heard of Univers Zero, where to begin? Also reminds me that I've never really listened to Jethro Tull, but it might be too late, because there are too many Jethro Tull albums.
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 28 September 2019 13:09 (four years ago) link
I'm liking this so far. Maybe a little more focused than the last couple ones. Sorceress was pretty good though.
― Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Saturday, 28 September 2019 13:36 (four years ago) link
I've never heard of Univers Zero, where to begin? Also reminds me that I've never really listened to Jethro Tull, but it might be too late, because there are too many Jethro Tull albums.
Univers Zero - 1313 or HeresieJethro Tull - Aqualung or Thick as a Brick I guess?
― Stockhausen Serves Empirical Jism (Matt #2), Saturday, 28 September 2019 13:43 (four years ago) link
lol at Mikael on Opeth covering Gershwin: "I think it might be a good idea if we don't"
― Brad C., Saturday, 28 September 2019 13:54 (four years ago) link
The new one is the heaviest of the prog-era albums, but it's also really beautiful. "Ingen Sanning är Allas" is one of the most Floyd-ish things they've ever done (with some OK Computer thrown in, weirdly enough) and it's fantastic.
― shared unit of analysis (unperson), Saturday, 28 September 2019 13:57 (four years ago) link
Have all the albums been released in English and Swedish? I've only heard the new one in English, I should listen to the Swedish version, might (er) cut the cheese a little. (Which of course is a joke, this album is awesome.)
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 28 September 2019 14:03 (four years ago) link
Really good video but I just cant respect the crazy collector stuff at the end. Had a similar feeling with Geddy Lee collecting signed baseballs.
― Robert Adam Gilmour, Saturday, 28 September 2019 14:35 (four years ago) link
Geddy also collects wine and, apparently, guitars!
At least Mikael collects, you know, music. I saw some other interview with him that suggests he's taking these collectors items away from other people, but he defends it by saying actually he buys multiple copies of stuff to give as gifts to friends who have never heard his favorite albums. Like Robin Hood!
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 28 September 2019 14:51 (four years ago) link
I have the Geddy Lee bass collection book, it is absolutely bonkers, hundreds of pages of rare basses. I would be super psyched if I owned one bass like that.
― Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Saturday, 28 September 2019 15:01 (four years ago) link
Presumably Geddy tries out the bass guitars and uses some of them and drinks the wine. But all those baseballs?
It would be nice if Mikael was gifting his multiple copies but would he really say he owns all these multiple copies if he is gifting them?
― Robert Adam Gilmour, Saturday, 28 September 2019 15:10 (four years ago) link
Have all the albums been released in English and Swedish?
No. This is only the third time they've recorded in Swedish at all (they've done Swedish-language covers on the deluxe editions of Watershed and Pale Communion).
― shared unit of analysis (unperson), Saturday, 28 September 2019 15:14 (four years ago) link
export No, I mean, apparently Geddy collects guitars, too! Like, six-strings.
https://www.mecum.com/auctions/las-vegas-2019/collections/a-boutique-selection-from-the-geddy-lee-guitar-collection/
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 28 September 2019 15:22 (four years ago) link
That '59 Les Paul alone could very well go for over $250k.
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 28 September 2019 15:23 (four years ago) link
I read an interview where Mikael says he writes in Swedish and then translates to English.
Probably their best since Heritage and my favorite since Ghost Reveries
― gman59, Saturday, 28 September 2019 17:47 (four years ago) link
Listening to the Swedish version now, it's fascinating how in English my ear goes right to the lyrics, rising out of the music, but in Swedish it all sounds very much of an equal-tiered piece.
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 28 September 2019 17:49 (four years ago) link
Really like this
― When I am afraid, I put my toast in you (Neanderthal), Sunday, 29 September 2019 01:33 (four years ago) link
I love listening to Mikael talk about music he likes. That "Whats in My Bag" makes me want to go out and listen to all of those records.
― o. nate, Monday, 30 September 2019 01:03 (four years ago) link
I shot this video with him back in 2012, when I worked at Roadrunner:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgbEajT3TnE
― shared unit of analysis (unperson), Monday, 30 September 2019 01:49 (four years ago) link
Same. Hoping they do all their future records in Swedish as well.
― Simon H., Monday, 30 September 2019 01:52 (four years ago) link
this album just didn't do anything for me on first listen, and I've really liked their stuff since Ghost Reveries or so. Will give it another shot.
― akm, Monday, 30 September 2019 12:59 (four years ago) link
North American tour dates!
Feb 13 - Cleveland, OH - The Agora BallroomFeb 14 - Chicago, IL - Riviera TheatreFeb 15 - Detroit, MI - Royal Oak Music TheatreFeb 17 - Worcester, MA - PalladiumFeb 18 - Montreal, QC - MtelusFeb 19 - Toronto, ON - RebelFeb 21 - New York, NY - Apollo TheaterFeb 22 - New York, NY - Apollo TheaterFeb 23 - Silver Spring, MD - The FillmoreFeb 25 - Indianapolis, IN - Egyptian Room at Old National CentreFeb 26 - Nashville, TN - Ryman AuditoriumFeb 28 - Houston, TX - House of BluesFeb 29 - Dallas, TX - The Pavilion at Toyota Music FactoryMar 1 - Kansas City, MO - Arvest Bank Theatre at the MidlandMar 2 - Denver, CO - The Mission BallroomMar 4 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Palladium
Also, there's a non-album track streaming on Decibel's site.
― shared unit of analysis (unperson), Wednesday, 2 October 2019 16:08 (four years ago) link
I gotta admit that having never been to the Apollo Theater, the idea of going there for the first time to see Opeth feels a little weird.
― shared unit of analysis (unperson), Thursday, 3 October 2019 19:10 (four years ago) link
I bought Ryman tickets. Unless something comes up it'll be my first Ryman show and it's definitely an odd feeling.
― EZ Snappin, Thursday, 3 October 2019 21:49 (four years ago) link
opeth are playing the ryman? that fuckin rules
― american bradass (BradNelson), Thursday, 3 October 2019 22:00 (four years ago) link
They're hitting so many classic venues on this tour.
― EZ Snappin, Thursday, 3 October 2019 22:08 (four years ago) link
Another good one, includes embarrassing drunk Steve Wilson storyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjV8JYcbtFw
― Robert Adam Gilmour, Saturday, 5 October 2019 13:50 (four years ago) link
I love his honesty and shamelessness. Such a soft-spoken dork, he seems like he's the best.
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 5 October 2019 15:33 (four years ago) link
Blackwater Park remains tough to find at a good price.
― Duke, Tuesday, 19 January 2021 23:23 (three years ago) link
20th anniversary this year, perhaps a reissue is imminent.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Wednesday, 20 January 2021 01:44 (three years ago) link
It really went out of print?!
― Robert Adam Gilmour, Wednesday, 20 January 2021 17:44 (three years ago) link
Nah, it seems like it is still in print; Music For Nations is under Sony/BMG now.
― but also fuck you (unperson), Wednesday, 20 January 2021 17:59 (three years ago) link
but I can't help listening to this stuff and sometimes really wishing they'd throw in a really awesome techno breakdown
― if Spaghetti-Os had whammy bars (Neanderthal), Saturday, 23 January 2021 05:57 (three years ago) link
The other day I went out to rake the leaves, and I felt like listening to Opeth, but not their early growly stuff or their more recent stuff, something in the mid-catalog Steven Wilson sweet spot. My instincts told me "Damnation," but for the life of me I couldn't remember where it fell on the Opeth spectrum (getting old). So I took a gamble, and yep, jazz/folk/prog/Radiohead Opeth hit the spot.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 23 November 2023 18:54 (four months ago) link