Swedish progressive metal stalwarts Opeth’s 10th album Heritage — which follows 2008′s Watershed and 2005′s Ghost Reveries — is their strangest, most genre-melding to date. For starters it includes guest spots from Swedish flautist/composer Björn J:son Lindh and Weather Report percussionist Alex Acuña. As you may have guessed, it also includes 100% clean singing. Main man Mikael Åkerfeldt refers to Opeth records as “observations.” Of this one he notes, “[I]t feels like I’ve been building up to write for and participate on an album like this since I was 19.” Fittingly, he says he listened to a bunch of Alice Cooper over the past year. There’s also something youthful about the exuberant blend of jazz upswings, “God is dead” lyrics, and stop-on-a-dime tempo shifts in lead single “The Devil’s Orchard.” On the album it follows the two-minute scene-setting opening piano piece “Heritage,” a song Åkerfelt says was inspired by Swedish jazz pianist Jan Johansson and Swedish folk music. That in mind, take a listen to Heritage‘s first explosive moment:
Tracklist:
01 “Heritage”
02 “The Devil’s Orchard”
03 “I Feel the Dark”
04 “Slither”
05 “Nepenthe”
06 “Haxprocess”
07 “Famine”
08 “The Lines in My Hand”
09 “Folklore”
10 “Marrow of the Earth”
Heritage is out 9/20 via Roadrunner. Åkerfeldt produced the record and mixed it with Porcupine Tree frontman/guitarist Steven Wilson. Travis Smith worked with Åkerfeldt to create album artwork.
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…um, oh my.
WOW! This was the most amazing musical trip i’ve been on in ages. Definitely a new high for Opeth! See you guys in Bristol!
This is going to be a great album for sure!!!!!!
This reminds me of how Soft Machine, around their fourth album, just decided “Fuck it. We’re a fusion band.” Opeth has always skirted boundaries, but I think they have always done so from a safe “home base,” so to speak. Here they’re really out of their comfort zone, and I applaud them for that.
As a old school Progger (Yes,Gentle Giant) I am dying to get this CD. DT introduced me to Opeth around 2000 and at first I was not into Death growls and the like but kept coming back to their music, blew me away. After repeat plays I dug it. So now with Opeth turning full circle this going to be EPIC! Long Live SM,Rush,Genesis,Moody Blues,Spock’s Beard,Enchant,BTBAM,Colosseum,Nektar,Beardfish,Riverside etc. To @Fared Cod Swedan If all you listen to is Death Metal stay with Kataklysm and Goreguts rock on but Opeth is great at all they do.
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you sir, are an idiot!!
I agree at 100%
how can you judge by hearing of just one song? this is very good song!! psiho prog
If you were really a fan of Opeth, you would realize that Mikael has wanted this album since he was a teenager. If even if you don’t like this new movement of Opeth, you should at least show some god damned respect for a true artist who is doing what he truly wants to be doing. Opeth is far from dead, this is merely the beginning of something great.
Worst song of 2011? I guess you haven’t heard the new Morbid Angel album yet?
hahaha win!
true story
The new Arch Enemy sure is disappointing after the crushing awesomeness of Rise of the Tyrant. Back on the topic of Opeth…I think that many rejected Watershed because it wasn’t ‘metal’ enough, but after a few listens, you seriously can’t stop listening to it. I don’t want to hear Blackwater Park II. That would be Opeth becoming a caricature of themselves, and who really wants that? Successful Prog bands are a moving target. Sometimes they go where you want and sometimes, they evolve in ways you could never imagine.
Death metal rules!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah right, if you were really a fan of this band you would realize they are more than just a death metal band.
Can’t wait to hear the entire disc, once again Opeth is setting the stage for prog rock
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It’s one damned song, there always were some clean songs on every album, Hours of Wealth, Burden, Harvest etc. What the hell do you seriously think?
It was posted earlier but it seems has been edited out. Not sure if it’s still applicable, but there was a reference to the entire album being done with Clean Vocals.
Not necessarily a bad thing, but we’ll see.
Ever hear of a critically acclaimed Opeth Album entitled “Damnation”?
Clean vocals. 100%.
Oh yes, and Damnation is an killer album.
This song is amazing. It might not have the death growls, but it’s still Opeth, and it’s still Prog. I’m looking forward to the rest of the album.
Thank You! This song has been a long time coming and I fuckin love it! Derilec herds as well as Throat of Winter were a good indication that this was the style they were going to go towards…the major change to me is the drum tone.. so jazzy…
Damnation album = amazing….but then again so was Deliverance…especially the title track, WOW! I think Mike put it best when he said essentially that there’s no way for him to push the medium forward with growls. If you want straight up death metal, there’s always Bloodbath, although what I heard from them so far didn’t do much for me. Oh, and guitarists, do yourself a favor and get his signature PRS SE guitar, it plays amazingly.
yes, the entire album is gonna be clean vocals. Just see this interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ht1seTCcDQ
you are an ediot
If ONLY the “Black ” album was like this.
I might still be listening to Metallica today.
Nice thing about about Opeth is that they are not for the casual listener and therefore not subject to being the flavour of the month.
Pure gold for musicians and those who like their music to require something of the listener though.
This is fucking incredible. So happy to see Haunting The Chapel getting the premiere too. I am unbelievably stoked for September now. Holy shitting dickballs.
Oh yes, Album of the year anyone? ;D What a killer solo from Freddy! <3
Very progressive. Very awesome indeed! Love the fact Mikael is singing 100% clean! Yeah BOI!!
Man, this HAS to be Liturgy’s best work yet!
Truly transcendental
Andrew… ha ha ha.
The death-metal kiddies cant take the proggy awesomeness of this tracks and start to cry… glorious.
Yeah…but when has Opeth ever been a “Black Metal” band?
Apart from vocals that is.
Interesting. I’m really diggin’ it.
great sound …. love the music. definitely into new grounds … can’t wait for the release
I hate people who can’t accept change from bands. Everyone moves on to a new sound no matter what. Good track, I’m sure this will be a good Opeth album!
agree… this new album will be great!!
you just have to make yourself to listen to OPETH. they are very cool band even if they don’t make death -growl voice effects.they are very prog in the esence of that meaning!!
wow, what a strange but lovely trip. i hear some neat little psychotic waltz references here and there, i’m psyched to hear the whole thing :D
Im confused at the moment.. i cant get grip from this song until the vocal part.. But dont judge me yet. Its not that i dont like it.. i just need few more times with my headphones with this so i can start understand it. I think there is some insane album incoming! Cant wait.
Same here….
of course a great song, but I need some time to understand it. The beginning with Fuzz-guitar-sounds is confusing me. ;-)
But for sure, it will be an awesome masterpiece of Opeth!!
I am laughing at all of you jaded Opeth fans who were obviously a fan for the wrong reason. This has ALWAYS been Opeth. Get over yourselves, if you want the same crap over and over and over and over and over, listen to Slayer or Cannibal Corpse.
This is REAL art, you don’t have to like it.
It will be nice for the next Opeth show to be nearly devoid of 15 year olds!
This is progressive… definably!
who do you think you are patrick GOD? i’m 28 i like the sound of this song and i like all opeth albums except ghost reveries but to say that only 15 year olds like growls and death screams is rediculous and don’t like slayer or corpsey your a knob think you need to grow up a bit mate i hate people like you so much your not cool your a dik
How can you not like Ghost of Perdition and The Grand Conjuration? Those are some great tracks (with some good growls hehe)!
Please don’t slam Slayer like that
Everyone that is saying “OH MY GOD HOW COULD THEY DO ALL CLEAN VOX NEED MY BROOTALZ” are officially stupid. Does everyone seem to forget the album Damnation?
Haha had the best laugh!! :D
Well Opeth was always like this. Mixing and experimenting. The song is great i know the album will be too.
Outstanding change….the appeal of Opeth is for this reason, one moment Mikael is shredding it up the next he is singing clean. Can’t wait for September 29th in Charlotte!
sounds sick but im gonna miss those growls :-/ opeth never disappoints me so its probably gonna be amazing as usual
I like it. If you don’t, so be it. Forget the genre nonsense for fuck’s sake.
Addendum – “oh derp i can;z bahleib(er) dey no use mikael’s death-grwohls no more!”
Damnation anyone? Seriously. Just bask. And if you don’t like it, or it’s not metal enough, go listen to Bloodbath.
That’s what makes OPETH so unique is how they can change styles & still sound bad ass…………………… I to miss those growls.
Agreed!
They’re bad ass & change is always good!
Opeth is my favorite band of all time, and last album I accepted the fact that they were transitioning from black/death metal to a more stoner and progressive style. I like their new stuff, and even though I’ll listen to the older albums a lot more, I always like to hear the new things Mikael comes out with. The musicianship will always be there at least. I can understand why some fans don’t like this though, so I don’t think the Opeth fanboys on here need to take a holier than thou stance about it. Still excited about the new album, and I’m hoping for at least one crushing song on here for old time’s sake :D
Have you ever listened Damnation album?
If the answer is yes shut the fuck up because Damnation has clean voice and its one of the best albums
Great song and I love the album artwork. Sounds very much like Opeth to me. I don’t get what all the fuzz is about. Guess people are just narrow-minded, “first demo was the best!”. Yeah, right…
THIS ALBUM IS GOING TO BE WORSE THAN MORBID ANGEL’S LATEST.
…..trolololololol
I love this Album, although I guess you can’t really judge the starting of this song all alone ’cause i think it’s gonna be a concept album where you, of course, can list a single track but the whole feeling of this album will only come while listening the full tune.
ahhhhhh so i see you are very interested in the new opeth album;) really cool track it just makes me VERY excited for the new album
God is dead…..
I am enjoying this immensely, the proggy-ness is so much fun. Definitely different than the Opeth I originally got into (Deliverance in 2006), but all their material is great. I have a total crush on Mikael, and he’s pretty fun live.
Not thee Opeth i was expecting ! … i better lsn to the rest of the album if its concept one !!!
It’s AMAZING! Love this one!
Simply put; This is Opeth. If you don’t like this, then don’t claim to be a fan.
That’s amusing. I’ve been a fan since ’97. Simply because I don’t like progressive rock and I’m not too thrilled about this track totally invalidates my ability to be a fan? People who liked Opeth still love the older stuff and hate the newer albums, same goes for those who love the newer stuff.
Don’t hold it over my head if the band I like decides to take a road I’m not comfortable with. I won’t bash them, I support them in whatever they do. Will I give my ticket to the concert away? You better believe it. I’ll cherish the memories I had and move my own direction, thank you.
Good response, and I agree. It’s perfectly ok to dislike this song.
I have always loved both sides of Opeth. Some of their best and my favorite songs have been when they incorporate both into a song. But I have plenty of fans who are only on one side and only a few who are on both. So I think there is something to what he is saying…..
I totally agree. I thought about ‘The night and the silent water’ when I read your comment.
My neighbors are hating me right now! Mwahahahaha! *turns up the bass*
Yes, the whole album is clean vox.
This is far from the caliber of damnation. I do enjoy Opeth, but i must say, Damnation and Deliverance was their pinnacle. Upon hearing Devil’s Orchard, i’m not too excited about this album. But, to each his own
Personally I like every Opeth album in it’s way. For me they have no ‘pinnacle’ Every single album is a great listening experience on its own. To go really into it: Damnation altough great, was for me way to easy accesible and obvious. Upon hearing this song, I actually like the things they are doing or try to do. It is refreshing and yet the Opeth ‘touch’ remains. I’m looking forward to it.
I was afraid this was going to be a second “Damnation.” (Not saying Damnation is a bad album, but I don’t need two of them). I am pleased to hear some heaviness on this track. It’s like Led Zeppelin rereremastered, set to a jazz rhythm, handed to a club DJ for mixing, and containing the distinctive vocals of Mikael Akerfeldt. That, and it still sounds like Opeth (and not just due to the vocals). How does this band do this?
Also, I’m not sure why certain “Opeth fans” bash an album for being different from the others. What gives this band the longevity that most groups struggle to maintain is the fact that they are not content with releasing another Ghost Reveries or another My Arms Your Hearse. They recognize that if you’re a fan, you have those…you don’t need more of the same.
this sounds distinctively like Opeth, but obviously a new version. I like it :) Still waiting for that black metal album though Mr. Akerfeldt
If you didn’t for a moment consider the possibility that Watershed was leading up to an album like this, then in my opinion you’re stupid. Stephen Chwalek is right. This album will separate the true music lovers from the metal heads. This still sounds like Opeth to me, and I love it. Every band worth their salt should have at least one album that polarises their fanbase. You can’t keep writing the same stuff forever – It just goes stale. Somebody earlier mentioned Cannibal Corpse, and I agree – I love Cannibal Corpse, but if you’ve got one album you’ve pretty much got them all.
You’re exactly right. They cannot keep writing the same stuff forever – no one can. With that said though, their discography is more diverse than almost any other band. Stylistically, Opeth’s albums have similarities, but each one is a layered, multi-textured delight in its own right.
The sound is amazing. While there are no death vox, this isnt exactly as melancholy or demure as Damnation is, and I think they’ve found the perfect balance. This song is as good as anything Akefeldt has written, and I think it safe to say our collective expectations for this album are pretty high.
I do sort of wish Axe would relax his playing slightly on songs such as this, though. It feels like he’s right up on it when he – in my opinion – needs to sit back a notch.
fk ALL OF YOU PROG FGS KNOCKING DEATH METAL AND METAL IN GENERAL I L;IKE ALL OPETH(except ghost reveries)and i like alittle band called blood bath remember them the band akerfeldt and co started because that is what inspired them originally your all gay…opeth rule…
This album will separate the true Opeth fans from the noobs. Fuck all of you. GOD IS DEAD!
Word!
This Song is just Perfect!
Did anyone get that Opeth 7″ from record store day this past year? If you think this is really changing things up, you should check that out. It’s basically a straight folk record… really cool though.
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Hardly. Load/Reload were complete shit. Heritage is shaping up to be awesome
I’d say Damnation was their Load/ReLoad. Didn’t they get a lot of flak for that?
perhaps, in a parallel dimension where the shame of sweden and the ungifted apprentice of satriani convinced james to develop it’s 70′s prog components further.
when are you coming to australia?? please be soon!
Love This! I have never heard bad music from opeth !
Love it! It’s really different from what they’ve done before, but it’s still Opeth! Can’t wait for the album!
I was at least expecting a song like Harlequin Forest, the first part that is. This is.. different..
It’s good that you have tried to preserve the dynamics of the music, which is a hard thing to do in this age of 2×4 blocks of wood for music. The track is an absolute cracker! The step away from death metal vocals was a cool idea, this album is going to be forking great, can’t wait!
My favorite band of all time, never disappoints me. Great soft and clean mix of everything done before, i hope it’s the worst song of the record x)
Still, this one is absolutely fantastic ! loved it
Opeth has taken a big leap in this new thing, from the prog prespective it’s awesome….metal-wise it’s lacking… this for sure will take a while to be accepted & understood….
though this album doesn’t satisfy the urge for opeth’s old agressive passess & ghost haunting acoustic passages (that what we all like in Opeth don’t we), but i hope the rest of the album will make the whole picture more clear….goodluck Opeth :)
P.S: God isn’t dead ;)
I’ve always adored Mikael’s clean voice… he has a great vocal talent, with a deep clean and also a good growl. This song is really amazing, and I don’t say it because of my total love for Damnation (it’s my second favourite album after Blackwater park, and the first that I’ve learn to love listen to Opeth).
Opeth are great for their versatility, I find a pure genious in every song of them. I’m dying to listen to all entire Heritage album… The matter is not talking about “it’s better clean voice and prog sound than growl and death sound”, and neither the opposite… The matter is understand the feeling hidden behind this album, what they want to say with this new Heritage, and listening with depth, and respect the work of this great band, if you can’t love it. I love this track, and I’ve found them in it.
Enjoy listening to the album without creating useless troubles ;)
That song is chock full of 70′s style prog rock along the lines of Gentle Giant, King Crimson and Yes combined with Opeth‘s signature feel and sound. Featuring clean singing, wacky jazz, and classic Opeth mood swings, I think it’s actually pretty damned good.
Ok, now that I’ve listened to the song on repeat for a day, I can say that the song is pretty freaking great. I really didn’t want another damnation, because, in spite of the opinions of apparently every Opeth fan, I thought Damnation was pretty boring. Yeah, it’s good, but it’s definitely my least listened to Opeth album. I’m really happy this song is SO PROGGY. I like the (almost bombastic) odd time signatured riffs, the massive mood shifts to something completely different (though completely the same in a way), and the overall creepy, but welcoming sound of the song. I used to be terrified of this album because of how it was described, but after reading Decibel’s interview, and hearing this song (and the album being htc approved) I can say without a doubt this is my most anticipated album coming this year.
By the way, congratulations HTC on getting such a huge premiere. It’s great to see such a big band as Opeth putting their first single off the album in the hands of a blog that generally covers the underground. Good idea Mikael.
I agree about Damnation, it’s good but it’s the kind of album you really need to be in the mood to listen to. My two favourite albums are Still Life and Ghost Reveries, and I’d probably say Deliverance is my least favourite although I still love and listen to all of them.
(In my opinion) Opeth is the consequence of musical creation without restrictions or genre limitations. Musical evolution in its purest form. The musical journey of Opeth coincides with Mikael’s journey through life, each album being a portrait of which direction Mikael’s free musical creativity was going at that time. And I feel as though Mikael has truly found himself in the past few years with his music, with Watershed and this new track being such daring and bold steps, yet so confident.
This style of unrestricted musical creativity is the reason I love Opeth, not necessarily because of any certain “sound”. Obviously Heritage was written in this way, meaning I will love this album as I love every other one. I’m sure the band’s sound will continue to morph, twist and evolve in the future, and I’ll be sticking with them the whole time.
100 percent prog rock…. opeth will be in the future like mix of “black sabbath,jethro tull,deep purple,electronic,ambience,70′s overdrive guitars, clean vocals,yes,PROG ROCK,experiment post rock,new sound by the way!!!! THAT’S WHAT I LIKE!!!
Are their faces seriously just going to be hanging in the tree like apples for the album cover? Weak.
I’m digging the cover art!
That’s great. Our russian fansite is waiting to catch a moment for downloading this track! http://www.opeth.ru/
Fantastic stuff !! I’m looking so much forward to listen to the entire album. See you in Edinburgh
\m/ :D \m/
They went all Gentle Giant King Crimson on us! Hopefully it’ll be like how Deliverance/Damnation was with separate clean AND death vocal albums. Moar for us
Do like the proggy instrumentation,but could not relate to metal lyrics…
Sounds pretty different but amazing, no surprise here..Gonna miss the aggresive growls since this album is going to be all clean vocals but Damnation was a spectacular album so they’ve more than proven themselves.. Not to mention this is the only band i know of that actually brings fresh new ideas, emotions and most importantly improves on each album while still keeping their unmistakable “Opeth” feel. Final thought, this is kinda short for an Opeth song right lol?
Yeah…. Not too sure how I feel about this. I love most of what Opeth has done up to this point and been a huge fan but…. I hate Jazz, like everything about… and they are very much moving in that sort of direction… I guess I’ll have to wait and see how the rest of the album sounds before I pass my judgement.
That and 70′s psychedelic rock =P And I really dislike how their new drummer over plays every part he’d ever written for the band. Sometimes simplicity sounds better than over complicating everything all the time.
Opeth’s drummers have always been allover the place. There are some drum bits on the “Deliverance” album where Martin Lopez seems to be trying to squeeze as many drum hits as he can before the measure ends.
I like this song quite a bit. If I have one fear about the new album it’s the guitar tone. On this song it’s pretty cool but I hope that not all of them have the same muddy tone . It would be a shame if Mike does away with the superior natural but still extremely metal tone that he cultivated in his years of being awesome.
Again – a strangely fascinating piece of music and i love it…can’t help it, Opeth just fits my demands in music so perfectly they must be reading my mind – still there’s a little hope for me the upcoming album won’t be a second damnation (don’t mistake me for don’t liking it- i absolutly do). It would be a shame if they once again abandon their death metal influence, a category i see them dominating – even the big ones of the genre.Since Watershed was comparatively softer to the former releases my hopes for this new one will be a reverse. A few very impressive and good soft ones and a hell of a lot mind exploding death metal masterpieces. Im sure they won’t let me down, even if they do ;)!
what the fuck is this? King crimson vol.2
It’s interesting for me, because I first heard Opeth when I saw them on tour with Dream Theater a couple years ago. It was a good show and I liked their set. and all parts of their songs, as heavy as they were at times. So being a progressive fan, I like the sound of this! Mikael’s voice /w both this clean sound and his growls! This fall is going to be filled with lots of great new music
God is dead and we have killed him.
This album is going to be sick.
Sheesh, this song is really nice. I knew they were going into a more proggy direction but maaaaan oh man this is great. It is still easily a Opeth song, that much is for sure. I hope this Heritage is overall even better than this song. I just wish the Deluxe bundle didn’t cost so much. :D I want it, but can’t afford it right now. All in all I hope that Opeth does some growling in the future since this is one those bands that in my opinion do it “right”, or perhaps it should be said that they do it the way I like. : ) I have to remember to buy tickets to the gig here in finland
Yeah, I’m actually really glad he went for clean singing on this album too. Melody just adds another dimension, the music is heavy enough. Glad I have tix already to see them in October.
this is amazing
For a moment there, when I heard looked at an interview with Mikael and he said that he wrote two metal songs and then just deleted them, and said he was done with that style and couldn’t push it further, I was a bit saddened and worried. But damn, that fear feels completely unfounded now that I’ve heard this. It’s just amazing.
Can’t wait to hear the rest of the album.
This,ofcourse,will be another great record like all the rest. However,the direcyion has radically changes following Ghost Reveries. From Watershed on the band name should be Akerfeldt. He could still play all the old tracks live with the new ones. This would be a truer representation of where he is at and what he wants to accomplish. This is no slam at all just the harsh reality of the way things are. Before you slam my opinion know that I love Opeth as much as anyone who reads this and probably play their entire works more than most. Akerfeldt is a truely gifted musical genius and I am grateful to have his works to enjoy. The golden age of Opeth ran from My Arms to Deliverance. Every Opeth lover’s opinion matters but I do make a strong case for mine, don’t I ?
Hasn’t Opeth really just been Akerfeldt;s baby since the beginning though? I mean true Peter Lindgren was there for most of the ride but I am pretty sure they bulk of all the song writing was done by Mike. I think the band has been slowly moving towards this direction for a good while now, and there will be people that don’t like the album, but in the end it could wind up being a very healthy experience for the band.
In my opinion, this is not so much progressive as regressive.
Deliberately going for the sound of old progressives doesn’t make you progressive, because that was only progressive at the time it was made. Having been made already, it is old hat.
Answering both midnightduder and Tim Morrison:
It may seem regressive, but can’t you feel this is still Opeth? It may have seemed like (and I suppose even in truth been like) Opeth has only mixed various genres with metal, but now I realize they’ve always just mixed various genres with “Opeth”. It’s their way (or maybe Mikael Åkerfeldt’s way) of expressing themselves with music, and somehow that core is still there and when listening to this song I feel that core, and it’s amazing.
I love the old Opeth stuff, especially Still Life if I have to choose one album to emphasize, but I have that already. This is new. It’s not just some psychedelic 70′s rock, it’s that + Opeth + more = new levels of awesomeness.
Opeth have always been categorized by most as Progressive Death Metal but I would imagine that most Opeth fans would get the underlying 70′s feel of the band, and since I always thought that metal fans are usually extremely open-minded it came as a shock when I read ‘hardcore’ Opeth fans bashing the new direction we know the band is taking. You really thought Opeth was all about being heavy and having growling vocals…they aren’t ALL about that.
Hearing this I am extremely excited for the next ‘observation’ from this amazing band. They never cease to amaze me…and this is on another level; BREATH-TAKING!
I just had a Deep Purple/Argent flashback! Brilliant!
That solo reminds me so much of something off of Dream Theater’s Octavarium! I loved this track, can’t wait to get the whole album. =)
Wow. To be honest I expected like a second Watershed album. But this is something completely unique and, well, awsome. Too bad for the people who just don’t get it.
Ahhhh, I don’t know. I love them please don’t get me wrong. It just seems a little cheap. I will wait to hear the entire album before I say for certain. Change can be good but sometimes change is bad.
Some folks just can’t handle the clean vocals…personally it’s songs like this, burden, hours of wealth, in my time of need, etc… where Opeth’s creativity and genuis are really revealed. The growls are sweet but not always necessary.
What an awesome trip to the late 60´s-early 70´s! While playing the freaky guitar riffs I got a permanent grin. That is totally different stuff but 100% Opeth. I love the surprises with every album. Watershed was something like a shock to me but today it´s my favourite because of the different atmospheres. And now I expect that Heritage will be my favourite. The bombastic end with the genious voice-line before Freddy´s solo takes it to the peak moves me to tears every time. And suddenly, it´s abruptly over…
Opeth play in the style of Yes, King Crimson, and…I don´t know… taking the music to a very high technical level but with lots of emotions and atmosphere. Sometimes I do not know, what the totally different parts of “The devil´s Orchard” connecting them to one song, but the whole thing is fuckin great! To mention that Mikael presents us a new character in his voice. While he used to sing either Death-growls or tender clean voice, his clean voice is rather Rock´n Roll now.
Looking forward for that album of the year! One week after the release of Dream Theater´s new record….Better than christmas and birthday together!!!
Just a little comment on Opeth´s music:
How can a band be able to elate us with every single album that offer such a huge variety in styles? Opeth-Fans know what exceptional good music is, regardless the style. Never mind, if Mikael growls or not, Axe plays blastbeats or funk…the main thing is Mikael´s genious as a composer. Opeth is the most influencing and creative band in the musical world today, not just within the metal scene.
I like it, that’s all i can say ^^
I didn’t like this at first, but after a few listens this might be one of my favorite songs by them.
It’s great that they evolved into an amazing prog band. The clean Vocal’s are so much better. It would not bother me one bit if he shelved the growl’s. Or use’d them sparingly. Damnation was one of thier best albums. But i am a prog fan. Damnation And blackwater park were both produced and somewhat influenced by Steven Wilson. What can one expect.
I don’t know if god is dead but Opeth is alive for sure !!
Hey if Opeth says God is dead then he’s dead.
And yes, Opeth is alive as always. But wait, Opeth IS God. If God is dead, then Opeth is dead.
Well time for me to masturbate.
I’ve been a fan from the beginning! Opeth does change from album to album but always come up true artists! They are just about the most incredible band on the planet! I am a huge death metal fan but also 70s prog! Opeth have been leaning in a more prog direction for a while but I have enjoyed it immensely. I do however LOVE the death growls as it made them stand out from other prog bands and it was just incredible to hear and see live the change from brutal death vocals to clean vocals. With that said I stand behind the band and any change they feel suits them. That is and always has been what real artists and leaders not followers are about! I will miss the death growls if there are none but i will enjoy the clean vocals and their new direction! Hopefully Opeth can keep changing and show the world what a great band is! If this song is any indication of the what the new album will be like then I have no doubt it will be super successful and IMMENSE!
Awesome!!!
One month! The more I listen to this song the more I dig it. When this comes out then it will be a week until I can see them live in Columbus and Louisville. Music is about making your soul come alive, and no one makes my soul come alive through music the way Opeth does.
As a long time fan of Opeth i’ve seen this creature transforming from an extraordinary metalprog band into something that reflexes his creator’s human evolution. Nothing and no one can’t be touched by evolving into something else, even for the best that for the worst…and Opeth surely deserves the best as Mikael does too….much finesse of thought and composing streams of feelings is what music represents and i’m still proud today to say i’m still an Opeth stronghold fan since the turn is not something streamy, posey or stupidly mainstream….Opeth is a musical joy and treasure and must be treated for this with all the respect given to musicians capable of such emotions. ^____^
Great song!!! I want this on vinyl!!!!!!