Stickman-X-
//JonoWatershed
Opeth have been for a long time, one of my favourite metal bands. It’s not their heavy songs which are my favourite, however. It’s the acoustic songs, the instrumentals or simply slow progressive rock pieces which are scattered through their nine studio albums. I realise I’m just a few years late on the uptake here, but when I found out that their 2003 release, Damnation, was purely a progressive rock sound I was really excited to say the least. It’s a fantastic album and I love every song as much as I love some of their heavier, more death metal orientated songs such as; The Grand Conjuration, The Baying Of The Hounds and Masters Apprentices.
Why this album captures me is because of the positively gorgeous guitar work, the symphonic flowing synth and most of all Mikeal’s beautiful vocals which are displayed brilliantly in the flowing, melodic yet captivating style which is Damnation.
I can’t say it is my most loved album by Opeth as Ghost Reveries has so many songs which are instrumental in building my love of Opeth. However, it is just what I was looking for from Opeth, a softer sound which musically displayed all that they have to offer.
When I heard that they had a new album, Watershed set for release in May, I was rather excited to say the least. I finally heard the album last week and it was everything I hoped for and more. They picked up from where they left off with Ghost Reveries. The opening track is simply gorgeous: acoustic guitars, guest vocals by Nathalie Lorichs and brilliant use of stringed accompaniment which seals the song with an iconic brilliance only Opeth can achieve. The second kicks in, hard, heavy and melodic, building a dark atmosphere which is in turn built on throughout the album as it slowly gains pace, interspersed with slower more progressive rock sounding songs such as Burden.
The first single off the album, Porcelain Heart is all that a lead single should be. It’s as hard, catchy and musically diverse as The Grand Conjuration (still my favourite song, but only just).
In short, I cannot find a single fault in this entire album as it captured everything that is best about Opeth, packaged in one album. If you have the chance to pick up the special edition, do so as it includes two bonus cover songs and one previously unreleased track.
I realise this comes a few months late as the album was released months ago, but for those who haven’t already got Watershed, make sure you give it a listen as it wont disappoint.
Why this album captures me is because of the positively gorgeous guitar work, the symphonic flowing synth and most of all Mikeal’s beautiful vocals which are displayed brilliantly in the flowing, melodic yet captivating style which is Damnation.
I can’t say it is my most loved album by Opeth as Ghost Reveries has so many songs which are instrumental in building my love of Opeth. However, it is just what I was looking for from Opeth, a softer sound which musically displayed all that they have to offer.
When I heard that they had a new album, Watershed set for release in May, I was rather excited to say the least. I finally heard the album last week and it was everything I hoped for and more. They picked up from where they left off with Ghost Reveries. The opening track is simply gorgeous: acoustic guitars, guest vocals by Nathalie Lorichs and brilliant use of stringed accompaniment which seals the song with an iconic brilliance only Opeth can achieve. The second kicks in, hard, heavy and melodic, building a dark atmosphere which is in turn built on throughout the album as it slowly gains pace, interspersed with slower more progressive rock sounding songs such as Burden.
The first single off the album, Porcelain Heart is all that a lead single should be. It’s as hard, catchy and musically diverse as The Grand Conjuration (still my favourite song, but only just).
In short, I cannot find a single fault in this entire album as it captured everything that is best about Opeth, packaged in one album. If you have the chance to pick up the special edition, do so as it includes two bonus cover songs and one previously unreleased track.
I realise this comes a few months late as the album was released months ago, but for those who haven’t already got Watershed, make sure you give it a listen as it wont disappoint.
