Review Summary: Opeth's debut album may appear primitive to some - the band at the time were no doubt still in the early stages of perfecting their sound. But nevertheless, a worthy addition to any Opeth fan's CD collection.
Speak to any self-proclaimed Opeth fan and they will tell you there never has been and probably never will be another band like them. Ever since their debut in 1995, the band have released eight studio albums and a live album, consistently impressing fans and garnering rave reviews. Orchid was the first offering from Opeth and an insight into what the band's sound would eventually become. Yet even though the band had yet to begin developing and refining their unique style of metal with various progressive elements, their debut shows infinite potential and a masterful approach to writing brilliant, original songs.
The album begins with quite possibly the best track off the album,
In the Mist She Was Standing. A short drum fill helps to introduce a fantastic opening section, featuring Mikael and Peter harmonizing for what seems an eternity. The rest of the song is nothing short of superb, with sprawling instrumental sections shifting from clean to heavy and Mikael's raspy vocals. One of the more notable aspects of earlier works by Opeth is definitely Mikael's voice; on later albums such as Blackwater Park and Ghost Reveries, he utilizes a more powerful, deeper roar/growl as opposed to the raspier, throaty vocals prominent here. The clean instrumental sections also have quite a medieval feel to them, particularly the acoustic finger-picked ones. Put simply, whilst Opeth were yet to perfect the art of juxtaposing clean and heavy, Orchid shows just how good they were at it in the first place - and once the opening track concludes, it feels as if 14 minutes hasn't passed at all.
Under the Weeping Moon is more of the same - again, it features huge instrumental sections, medieval-like clean sections (in this case a long one) and more of Mikael's almost black-metal like vocals. The song itself is almost 10 minutes long but it is by no means boring or uninspired unlike some bands who drag out monotonous material for what seems like hours. The listener is greeted with the instrumental
Silhouette, performed by Anders Nordin, whom as well as playing drums on the album also played piano. The track itself is very relaxing and his piano work is very impressive - the second instrumental of the album,
Requiem, is a lot shorter but just as enjoyable, featuring very pleasant guitar work from Akerfeldt and Lindgren.
Forest of October is another brilliant track. The band almost always use the same formula throughout the majority of the tracks on the album but what makes them so special is how well done each section is done. It is easy to see that each riff, vocal line or drum fill has been written with great care and superb musicianship.
Forest of October boasts a rather marvelous guitar solo, before twisting in and out of clean sections and heavy yet uplifting riffs. Something else that is notable about
Orchid is that it is not as dark as later material by the band. The album that directly followed (
Morningrise) showed a more somber side to Opeth -
Orchid demonstrates a slightly more upbeat feel whilst still being a definite progressive metal album.
The two other main tracks on the album,
The Twilight Is My Robe and
The Apostle In Triumph are both superb tracks, the intro to the latter being particularly memorable; the opening guitar line is incredibly catchy. But rather than become a band who rely exclusively on a set formula for their songs (DragonForce come to mind), Opeth add in so many extra elements it is hard for anyone to say they don't appreciate at least one aspect of their work. Cut short, there is something for everyone on any Opeth offering, not just
Orchid.
Bonus editions of the album also feature a previously unreleased demo for the song
Into the Frost of Winter. Whilst the production is definitely sub par, the song is a worthy listen - you can also here how the song was re-arranged (some of the riffs certainly) into the opening track from
Orchid's follow-up,
Morningrise. Overall, the whole album is certainly worth checking out, particularly for fans of extreme metal that incorporates progressive elements.
Of course, any Opeth fan in their right mind should own this. A definite recommendation.
Recommended Tracks
In the Mist She Was Standing
Forest of October
The Apostle In Triumph
