MORNINGRISE

As a fan retroactively working his way through Opeth's catalogue, I can appreciate and forgive this early release its faults given the band's relative infancy at the time. Songwriting is generally strong, with the group experimenting with the elements which will later become their signature sound. Taken as a whole it's hard to say that "Morningrise" is anything other than slightly more ambitious death-metal of its day, and more than likely will not please newer fans as much as Opeth's amazing later albums-- but it's easy to see how fans who were here from the beginning latched onto this unique group. However, I don't recommend it to any who haven't already experienced albums like "Ghost Reveries" or "Blackwater Park"; it will be hard to latch on to "Morningrise's" sound without prior exposure.

Songwriting: 3 Instrumental Performances: 2 Lyrics/Vocals: 2 Style/Emotion/Replay: 2