DAMNATION

Opeth

Tech/Extreme Prog Metal

4.01 | 1465 ratings

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infandous

Having only heard two Opeth albums, I would still say this isn't the best place to start.

For one thing, if you like this album, there is a pretty good chance you will be disappointed with their other albums (especially if you don't like growling vocals and Sabbath heavy riffs). Still, it's not a bad album by any means. The only other album I've heard is Blackwater Park, and I have to say I like it better. More variety, more contrasts, more interesting compositions. The main issue I have with this album is the sameness of the compositions. It all starts to blend together after a while.

One thing that I notice with Opeth so far is that to me at least, they don't seem to be a prog band. I suppose I wouldn't call them pop or mainstream or even straight metal, but I have yet to discern much of what I consider to be "prog". But that is such a vague, broad and ultimately personal determination, that I won't really argue with the people who think of this band as prog. From the two albums I heard, I can't really even consider them progressive.

Basically, I do enjoy the vocals on this album. The lyrics are interesting, the guitar playing is well done, and the production is first rate (as you would expect from Steve Wilson). I can listen to the album and enjoy it. But I can't ever remember a single tune or melody or even riff after it ends. I like the overall sound, but the album does not move me or pull me in like my favorite albums do (or even some of my less than favorite albums). And, as I said, I have a hard time thinking of this as a prog album (despite the mellotrons and spacy effects). Having said all that, I can't really give this a low rating. I will probably pull it out from time to time, and maybe someday it will click more for me and I'll "get it". And I still want to hear more representative Opeth albums.

So definitely good, and definitely not essential (unless you are an Opeth fan already I suppose). And if you want to know what this band is really like, you probably don't want to start here.

| 3/5 | 2007-2-23

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