Review Summary: Opeth must be synonymous with masterpiece because that is what every work they release is.
Another masterpiece from the genius that is Opeth. These musicians seem to be completely incapable of producing an album that is anything short of breathtaking. The overwhelming emotion displayed on this album will make you believe in God. The marvelous drumming doesn't try to overshadow the rest of the band, yet it is one of the best drumming performances I've heard on any Death Metal album. Keyboards are used to an interesting effect, and of course the bass and guitar are superb as they are every other Opeth release. But as amazing as the musicianship is, the real highlight on this album is Mikael Akerfeldt's voice. Growled vocals are only used on three of the seven songs, and while I think his death growls are arguably the best in all of metal his clean singing reverberates deep within your soul. His haunting vocal performance resonates within you and evokes emotions you never knew existed. The anguish in his voice is evident as it in his morose lyrics. I still believe him to be among the most brilliant and personal lyricists in modern music. On the heart wrenching Hessian Peel he sings: will the children cry/when their mother dies/and in the autumn of their lives/will they ever feel the same.
It's the impeccable nature of his lyrics and the pain he so clearly displays in his voice that puts him in a league of his own. But for fans who prefer his death growls there is still something for you here. Heir Apparent is perhaps one of the heaviest songs they've ever done,easily rivaling anything on Deliverance. This song contains thunderous drumming and what I believe is the first Opeth song to contain absolutely no clean vocals whatsoever. Just demonic death growls throughout that Satan himself would be scared of.
I've truly not a bad thing to say about this album. My only gripe would be that the cd isn't included with a lyrics sheet,and his growled vocals are sometimes a bit hard to understand. This is supposedly do to the intensely personal nature of Mikael's lyrics,so I'll make due without. The only factor that prevented me from giving this album a 5 is,even though it's miles above its contemporaries,it isn't Opeth's best work. That honor belongs to either Blackwater Park,Still Life,Morningrise,Damnation,or possibly My Arms,Your Hearse. As amazing as Watershed is,I'd probably rank it 6th or 7th on a list of their best works. But that is simply a testament to how great Opeth really is.
Best songs: Porcelain Heart,Hessian Peel,Coil
