BLACKWATER PARK

BWP is the very first opeth album i listened to. In fact the first time i heard one of their songs was on this site. And of course it was The Drapery Falls. This album's imagery definately fits the title. The feel is a little different than past Opeth albums. A little heavier metal riffs and the Phrygian flat 5 which were used extensivly in still life. The tone of ALL the insturments is perfect and the vocals fit right in whether screaming or singing. Akerfeldt really extended his singing range by this point, and can hit a quite a few semi-tones higher than last album.

The Leper Affinity - Starts out with the ever so sinister reverse recorded dim chord on the piano and blast into double bass an harsh vocals and pretty much keeps the groove going.

Bleak - On of my favorites. Starts out with a classic Em then goes into the quick unison phrygian b5 run which pretty much defines the song. It is followed by the eirie slow melody until the bridge which changes keys quite well into an awesome proggression, great vocals and does a great job leading into..........

Harvest - A very "Damnation like" song. Best non damnation acoustic song of opeth. Very excelent phrasing in the solo.

The Drapery Falls - Starts out with the ever so ominous Cm9 and pretty much defined opeth at this time. The acoustic Harmonic minor verse is enough to make you a worshipper of the opethic relgion. And yes a lot of key changes later on.

Dierge for November - Starts with a kind of jazz lead tone leading into a classic opeth metal riff.

Funeral Portriat - Starts out with a really wierd chord, really different feel.

Patterns in the Ivy - Great instrmental piano/guitar intro into ....

Black Water Park - The odd proggression in the beggining of BWP is one of my favs. It leads into an awsome quick acuostic interlude and pretty sets the stage for the rest of the song. But i do have to admit the ending did leave me hanging... but overall 4/5.