Ouch
09/27/08, 05:20 PM
Opeth - Watershed
Record label: Roadrunner
Release Date: June 3, 2008 (US)
Who?
Opeth is a progressive metal group out of Sweden whose influences range from acoustic music to the grueling depths of Death Metal. Opeth’s lead singer, Mikael Akerfeldt, is pretty much the “brain” of the band. He writes all of the songs, giving the lyrics a certain feeling, a personal presence, that only he can give them. The band’s new album, Watershed, was hyped to be Opeth’s best and heaviest release yet.
How is it?
Opeth’s new album, Watershed, is a change from the heavier metal that they have made before. Watershed is different in that they have become much softer and more melodic. The emotion of the music is given much more emphasis, and thus the sound is lush and smooth. The diversity and complexity of Opeth’s music is still there, but it is much more accessible now then it has ever been. While beautiful and touching, the album also has its hard-hitting moments, like in the song “Heir Apparent”, where the guitar work nears Death Metal levels of intensity. Unfortunately, the album also has its dull and blurry moments, like in “Hex Omega” or “Porcelain Heart”, which are both very repetitive.
While I do believe that Opeth’s songwriting chops are still alive and well, some of the aspects that made them lovable to old fans have been terminated to a point (like Akelerfelt’s wonderful death growls), thus slightly weakening the band. With Watershed, Opeth make a large turn around and make something vastly different from a majority of their discography.
Despite that, Watershed kicks where it needs do, and it does its job well.
Porcupine Tree; Bloodbath; most progressive music
myspace.com/opeth (http://www.myspace.com/opeth)
Record label: Roadrunner
Release Date: June 3, 2008 (US)
Who?
Opeth is a progressive metal group out of Sweden whose influences range from acoustic music to the grueling depths of Death Metal. Opeth’s lead singer, Mikael Akerfeldt, is pretty much the “brain” of the band. He writes all of the songs, giving the lyrics a certain feeling, a personal presence, that only he can give them. The band’s new album, Watershed, was hyped to be Opeth’s best and heaviest release yet.
How is it?
Opeth’s new album, Watershed, is a change from the heavier metal that they have made before. Watershed is different in that they have become much softer and more melodic. The emotion of the music is given much more emphasis, and thus the sound is lush and smooth. The diversity and complexity of Opeth’s music is still there, but it is much more accessible now then it has ever been. While beautiful and touching, the album also has its hard-hitting moments, like in the song “Heir Apparent”, where the guitar work nears Death Metal levels of intensity. Unfortunately, the album also has its dull and blurry moments, like in “Hex Omega” or “Porcelain Heart”, which are both very repetitive.
While I do believe that Opeth’s songwriting chops are still alive and well, some of the aspects that made them lovable to old fans have been terminated to a point (like Akelerfelt’s wonderful death growls), thus slightly weakening the band. With Watershed, Opeth make a large turn around and make something vastly different from a majority of their discography.
Despite that, Watershed kicks where it needs do, and it does its job well.
Porcupine Tree; Bloodbath; most progressive music
myspace.com/opeth (http://www.myspace.com/opeth)