HERITAGE

Been a long time since I wrote a review - so here goes. I actually felt so strongly about this album that I wanted to review it here to share my thoughts. I saw Opeth during the Ghost Reveries tour and then again on the Watershed tour. In my opinion Ghost Reveries was/is a classic album and Watershed was an acceptable follow-up. Opeth tour Scotland in November again and as I turn 50 in that month I was looking forward to seeing them. That was before buying Heritage - the special edition of course. The album opens with 'The Throat of Winter' and features melanchony meanderings on piano. Its not a demanding track to listen to and it sets the tone and would have made a nice final track on Watershed. The next track 'The Devil's Orchard' is retro-prog and sounds quite 'muggy' in places. It's one of the better tracks and has a quiter passage in the middle. 'I Feel the Dark' opens with nice acoustic guitar and builds slowly. The vocals are crisp and clear, and as everyone knows by now, there are no death growls on this album. I can live with that because I really like Mikael's vocals. This track actually sounds like Opeth, and if that sounds a strange thing to say then read on. The next track 'Slither' is where I think Akerfeldt is taking the piss. This song is a traditional rocker and sounds like Rainbow. I appreciate that it might be some kind of tribute to Ronnie James Dio but the guitar lead halfway through is pure Rithchie Blackmore. This track should have been a bonus track added on at the end. I don't want to hear Rainbow/Dio tributes on an Opeth album to be honest. 'Nepenthe' only comes alive two thirds in and then fades away again. It's not a classic. Haxprocess is pretty dire and belongs (as Opeth might say) 'in the mire'. The next track 'Famine' opens with free form jazz flute - not a good sign. Demonic rumblings follow and then piano. This track has elements of Tull/Gentle Giant/VDGG in it. I don't like it. The next track is more my cup of tea - 'The Lines In My Hand' is a busy-sounding song with the drummer to the fore. 'Folklore' has a Wishbone Ash intro which is quite pleasant. The vocals are absolutely Jethro Tull-ish. I think this is the problem with this album for me. It's not enough like Opeth. Certainly not the Opeth that I have seen on the previous two tours. I've decided to go see Dream Theater in February in Scotland. At least their new album was not the disappointment that Heritage was for me.