STILL LIFE

Still Life is one of the greatest progressive metal records of all time and one of the best albums Opeth has done. It combines flawless technique, beautiful singing, brutal growls, creepy atmospheres and all of the elements that turned Opeth into the monster they are today.

This record has some of the best riffs in Akerfeldt career (Godhead's Lament for example) and some very nice acoustic work (The Moor's intro). Mikael's vocals are outstanding, he gives a melancholic, sad, desperate feeling, great for songs like Face of Melinda and Benighted.

Opeth seems like a mature band at this point of their career (1999), and is demonstrated by the complex song structures, the balanced use of the gutural voice and the way they create tension by using the more mellow sections of the songs.

The highlights of the album: every single song... it's just an awesome album. If you make me choose I would probably have to go with The Moor (may be Opeth's best song) or Face of Melinda.

To me, this is vintage Opeth; if you really want to know what they're all about you should get this album. You won't be disappointed.