HERITAGE

I've been holding off on my review for "Heritage" simply because i've been trying to find the right words to express how I feel about this latest OPETH album. Maybe I should take a step back so you know where i'm coming from. I'm not big on growly vocals but on albums like "Blackwater Park" and Still Life" I think they serve to make the more laid back sections sound even more amazing. So while i'm thankful they toned things down it's not without it's consequences."Damnation" will always be my favourite OPETH album and it is unique in their catologue not just because there are no growls but because the music is atmospheric and non-metal. It's a seamless album with mellotron, melancholy and atmosphere throughout and it moves me incredibly. "Heritage" is a big change in style for this band and again it's not just because there are no growls. There's also none of that low end distortion and the mixing of metalic sounds. The instruments here all can be heard clearly and the drummer certainly gets a chance to show what he's got, and he has plenty by the way. There are several sections that remind me of "Damnation" which I enjoy but overall i'm far from being blown away by this.Travis Smith did one of his best ever album covers here. It's fantastic !

"Heritage" is Per offering up some laid back piano melodies throughout. "The Devil's Orchard" opens with outbursts of sound including some powerful organ. I like when the vocals come in around a minute. When it settles 3 minutes in i'm reminded of "Damnation". Great section. It kicks back in and we get some soaring guitar late. "I Feel The Dark" is mellow with reserved vocals and acoustic guitar. A beat and mellotron-like sounds roll in. It kicks into gear around 3 minutes and guitar comes to the fore before 4 1/2 minutes. It settles back a minute later. "Slither" is dedicated to Ronnie James Dio. This is an uptempo rocker although it calms down before 3 minutes to the end. "Nepenthe" has a quiet intro then vocals come in just before 1 1/2 minutes. It starts to build then settles back as contrasts continue.

"Haxprocess" is dark and melancholic. Reserved vocals before a minute then it kicks in fuller at 2 1/2 minutes. The mellotron-like sounds bring "Damnation" to mind. It's laid back with guitar before 5 1/2 minutes. "Famine" opens with atmosphere as percussion joins in from none other than Alex Acuna (WEATHER REPORT etc). Piano at 1 1/2 minutes then reserved vocals. Guitar before 3 minutes as it builds then kicks in. It settles then kicks in heavily as contrasts continue. "The Lines In My Hand" is a little more uptempo than most of the ttracks on here but it's not heavy. The vocals and drumming standout. "Folklore" picks up after a minute then distorted vocals come in. It kicks in before 2 1/2 minutes with normal vocals as themes are repeated. "Marrow of Then Earth" has this "Damnation"- like guitar throughout. Very nice. It's a little fuller after 3 minutes.

A low 4 stars and far from their best in my opinion, and this is from a guy who's not big on growly vocals.