Review Summary: It's almost worth the mounds of hyperbolic claims it receives.
Opeth - Blackwater Park
Opeth, as most metal fans know, have become infamous in their scene. They've achieved a status that most bands would never even dream of, and they're still going strong to this day. Opeth has a very loyal fanbase and they're constantly getting new ones as well. While I love every album that Opeth has released, if you asked me to pick one single album, it would have to be
Blackwater Park. This is the band's most critically acclaimed album and is by far their most amazing. There isn't a single part on this album where I find myself wanting to change songs. The band also got Steven Wilson from progressive band Porcupine Tree to produce this and also come in with some piano parts and vocals. This album is simply amazing in every sense of the word.
Opeth was at this time:
Mikael Akerfeldt- Guitars and Vocals
Peter Lindgren- Guitars
Martin Mendez- Bass
Martin Lopez- Drums and Percussion
with guest appearanes by:
Steven Wilson- Vocals and Keyboards
What was good about this album:
-- The musical technicality. Opeth's last four albums certainly impressed me when I listened to them, but this one set the standard for the band even higher. There are plenty of difficult riffs in just about all of their songs and some very fast drumming on occasion. The band also will use key and time signature changes in their songs too. A perfect example of this would be in "The Leper Affinity".
-- Mikael's vocal ability. His growls are well known as being very low and gutteral, but that's where most vocalists stop. He goes beyond what is required and also has an amazing clean voice too. He also balances them equally so neither of them become stale and boring.
-- Opeth is able to mix heavy and light perfectly. If you've heard any song by this band, you've probably experienced that before. In just about every song they do, there's a heavy part and then an acoustic break with soft vocals that can't help but make my jaw drop to the floor. The best example of balancing these two styles of music would be in "Bleak". The opening part of the song is pretty heavy with Mikael's sustained death growls, and then Steven Wilson comes in with his clean vocals that take the song in a new direction. After that we have somewhat of a blues sounding interlude, and then back to the rest of the song. It's simply stunning.
-- This album is very memorable and you'll be listening to it for a very long time. Even after you've listened to it alot, you won't get bored of it and you'll find yourself coming back for yet another listen.
What was bad about this album:
-- It's sad knowing that after hearing this, all other Opeth albums can't compare. While they are still superb albums, none compare to the sheer greatness that is
Blackwater Park.
-- The rhythm section doesn't get too much time to shine. When they do it's great, but I'd like to hear a little more parts where the bass can play some cool grooves or the drums get to have more quick fills. This is barely a setback, but it is one nontheless.
-- I wished that "Patterns in the Ivy I" was a longer song. For the time it plays, it's very cool, but the song only lasts for under two minutes. If it became maybe a three or four minute song with a longer piano solo then it would easily be a highlight of the album.
Highlights:
All of them. This album is practically flawless.
This album is simply stunning and could quite possibly be the greatest album of the new millenium. You don't even have to enjoy this album if you're a metal fan. I know plenty of people who don't listen to metal and love Opeth for their clean sections. If you have to pick out one Opeth album to listen to, this is the one. It will blow your mind.
Thor
