L'Edition Metallique

Opeth - Deliverance (2002)

By Le Philosophe Athé
Translated by Loutzenheiser

Opeth's sixth observation is excellent in all aspects, as were the 5 previous ones. Deliverance is not, and probably never will be, considered in the same breath as Morningrise (masterpiece), but it is nevertheless the confirmation that this band is here to stay for a long time. A very profound existence.

Talented musicians and Mikael Akerfedlt's creative genius can only result in a great album. Once again, the band delivers some long and bewitching songs that somehow seem so short. The album starts out with a steady rhythm and quick drums. Opeth are not short of breath despite the years and creations they've accumulated. Mikael Akerfeldt's voice is just and harmonious, his screams are powerful. Once again, there is nothing new, but it's what Opeth fans were expecting. This is a winning formula.

Released by Koch Records/Music for Nations, Deliverance includes a superb sleeve and sober, pretty and professional graphic art. Much like Opeth's music. The electric and acoustic guitars flow with the impressive fluidity that we have come to know of Opeth. This time, however, a tiny touch seems to make this album stand out despite the Swedish band's recognisable sound. The music is a bit more direct and heavy, almost violent. Troubled. Unfortunately, the end of the album seemed redundant to me and that hidden surprise was useless since it's lightly used.

NOTE: The Damnation album was released a few months later in 2003. It's a softer, more acoustic album. Initially thought out as a double album, the two were released separately a few months apart. Granted, the band's creativity doesn't seem to be anywhere close to running out.

http://www.opeth.com/ (supreb)

Progressive Metal

Opeth - Damnation

By Ragnarok
Translated by Loutzenheiser

When you talk of Opeth, you think of originality and a good mix of acoustics and metal. I strongly suggest you forget about this sentence because Opeth have, once again, pushed their limits further back to give us a very different new album.

Damnation contains no Death growls, no blast-beats. With this album, Opeth have reached out to a new public, i.e. the Soft-Rock and, at the limit, Progressive public. Even though this album is a major difference compared to the others, it keeps the typically Opeth, and famous, sound and feeling.

Small parenthesis: when I went to see this record's release show, I was saddened to hear several die hard Opeth fans say that they had gone soft and that the future was all the more bleak. According to Michael, the band's front man, the following albums will be like the older ones. On this, let's close this parenthesis...

The eight tracks presented here were Depressive ballads. Slow riffs, slow drums, lots of acoustic and amped guitars with no distortion, save for a few moments like on Closure. Michael only does clean vocals. He's an excellent singer, by the way. Either Death or Clean. One amusing addition which also adds a lot of depth to the music: keyboards. Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) plays piano and does some Back Vocals and a bit of in-studio guitars for Damnation.

Using a very slow tempo, Damnation will appeal to fans of calm, gloomy music. If you're into Death metal and the old Opeth is your priority, I don't recommend this album. However, Opeth fans will find satisfaction, and a bit of diversification.

Progressive/Rock

Opeth - Morningrise

By Kint

When I first heard this album, I knew anything I would listen to after would never be as good as this.

Opeth is, without a doubt, the BEST Melodic Death Metal band ever.

These swedes do not fear style and sound experimentation, thus making them unequaled as far as innovation and song quality goes. Never before have I heard a so talented and inspired band. Actual Rock, American Death and Norwegian Black Metal are only a few of the styles Opeth's music blends together... but how could I describe it all?

Describing this band's music is impossible.

"Morningrise" contains five songs, and lasts more than an hour. The shortest song lasts 10:09, and the longest one, 20:14. I bought this album two years ago, and it's the only one to which I've been listening to at least one time each day, no joke. Seriously, Opeth crushes Melodic Metal opposition with ease and confidence. Even Amorphis and Dark Tranquility aren't on the same level as Opeth.

The lyrics are truly deep, so much many people don't understand them at first. I am myself actually beginning to understand - two years after I began trying - the emotions behind these lyrics.

To this date, "Morningrise" is the best album of Opeth's trilogy, and will probably remain so for quite a while.

Get this immediatly.

Melodic Technical Metal

Opeth - My Arms Your Hearse

By Kint

"My Arms Your Hearse", Opeth's latest masterpiece, is of the same caliber as the band's previous album, "Morningrise".

This time though, "heavy" seems to be a more appropriate adjective to describe the band's music. Twenty minutes songs have also been left behind. Nonetheless, I would still describe "My Arms Your Hearse" as 1998's best album. It isn't any better than "Morningrise" though, only different.

This album contains nine songs, yet only 55 minutes of music. The general idea behind the different tracks is that they all form one long crusade song, and so it is difficult to hear the transitions leading from one song to the other. An helpful tip : the last word of each song is the next one's songtitle.

As usual, Opeth's music is so unique, it's hard to classify it. Another thing : until now, never has one of their cover pictures featured either the logo or the album's title. Only the general visual feeling remains from one album's cover picture to the next. Lyrics are still as complex, feeling like poems.

In short, a brilliant follow-up from a brilliant band. Get it.

Melodic Technical Metal