DELIVERANCE

I don't understand why so many call this a step back for Opeth. "Blackwater Park" may have been a more critically acclaimed and commercially succesful album, but "Deliverance" is Opeth's true swan song. The songs have terrific compositions which are less overwhelming and complex than on it's predecessors, yet more compelling. "Wreath", "Deliverance" and "Master's apprentices" are ultra heavy epics which take the group to a new level. "A Fair Judgment" is a beautiful, tender piece with a heavy, pulsating climax and one of Åkerfeldt's best vocal performances. The instrumental "For absent friends" is the best I've heard by them yet. And the closing "By the pain I see in others" is just stunning. The ending, with it's backwards vocals reminding you of an Oriental song, is specially mesmerising.

Deliverance ranks together with "Still Life", "Blackwater Park" and "Damnation" among Opeth's greatest works. The overall heaviness doesn't stand in the way of the ultimate musical greatness of this album. Listen to it carefully and patiently and the brilliance will be revealed.

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