STILL LIFE

The fourth album of Opeth came as the mellowest album, considering the previous releases. And the reason what could it be? A woman, Melinda. She's the inspiration. A man goes back, facing his suffering past with the hope to convert her to him "Melinda is the reason why I've come". Somehow, he knows that on that trip his destiny will decide: to "prosper or fall" (pronounce of a tragedy? We'll see).

Instrumentally, we can see the Opeth's mark on the album: long and complex songs structured with: parts containing heavy complex riffs and Mikael Akerfeldt's growls; intercalated with extreme soft and mellow acoustic parts as seen in PORCUPINE DREAM (but in my opinion, even deeper).

This album has two tracks with no growls, which are Benighted and one of the best of the album, Face of Melinda. But those tracks which have growls (and this is for those people who don't like growls at all, like me), these tracks have excellent melodious and calm passages between, emotionally intense (I never seen such beauty). And in the parts of growls, focus on the guitar riffs (which are great, so powerful and complex), try to abstract from Mike's growling and you'll see you'll get used to. But then I realized it is the best way to show the anger, the suffering, the emotional tension! The album starts with the 11 minute suite The Moore, where there are impressive heavy guitar riffs which leads to parts of such a calm, tender, melodious and epic guitar work (specially in 7:20 minute). This transition touches you in a way you can not imagine. It's like you're in the dark, in the shadows and slowly you are transported to heaven, relieving all the pain. Fantastic extreme sensations! Then it comes the angst at the end of the music. One word just to Akerfeldt's transitions on the voice, he is superb. For those who don't like growls this could be a good song to get used to. Be patient, listen 3, 4 or more times, do what I said before and you will see. Godhead's Lament is an image of the previous track, with excellent heavy riffs leading to melodious subtle parts. The peace song Benighted is exclusively acoustic. The album gets again into form with the great ambience of Moonlapse Vertigo. Face of Melinda is a two parts suite, the first with several epic beautiful acoustic arrangements as Mike describes Melinda; the second part is the climax, with exploding electric guitar riffs leading the tension. The album ends with Serenity Painted Death (which shows the most elaborated riffs of the album) and White Cluser, heavier tracks predicting the death of the main character, ending tragically this album. Melinda was from other man.

A superb album, presenting you fantastic extreme sensations!

My rate: 8,5/10