saut

Well I'm bumping this old ass thread again. Tomorrow (July 15), Opeth street team members (me!) will get to hear The Grand Conjuration in a high quality stream (not the shitty rip that was floating around). I'll make sure I give another review of it when I hear it tomorrow. I really can't wait, because I think this song is going to be a lot better when I can actually hear the lead.

saut

I'm bumping again, even though it looks like nobody is reading this thread anymore. I just heard the album version of TGC, and it's not much different from the rip. The drums stand out a lot better, but that's about it really. The production is just a lot better. I hope the rest of Ghost Reveries isn't like this, because TGC is really not that interesting. It's got some cool parts and a great atmosphere, but nothing that really makes me want to listen to it, you know? Oh, and the album version is also about 30 seconds longer than the rip -- there's a fadeout and some faint church bells at the very end, which is pretty badass.

killeena

There is a preview of the new album at http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/opeth/.

Edit: Grrr, it is only the one song though, I thought there were more.

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saut

Yeah, it's only TGC. This album needs to leak very, very soon so that my fears that TGC is representative of all of Ghost Reveries will be quelled.

saut

A new song has leaked/been released to the UK street team. It's Ghost of Perdition.


Three words to describe this song: Classic fucking Opeth. This song is about six million times better than The Grand Conjuration. It's got some meannnnn riffing, especially in the first two minutes, and the clean part at 3 minutes in is superb. Mike also does some fast paced clean singing in some parts of the song, which I haven't decided whether or not I like yet. The keyboards are way less noticable, and actually have a badass minstrel kind of sound towards the end. This song has definitly revived my excitement for the new album. It's easily better than anything on Deliverance.

You can hear it here: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/s...ack_data/2.swf

It's a flash file, no downloading required. If you'd like a HQ mp3 of it, PM me.

Jadedfox

Oh.My.God.

That song is awesome. Classic Opeth indeed.

--jaded

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saut

Yep. Amazingly, I haven't gotten tired of it either, even after listening to it every chance I get over the past 3 days. Great, great song. I love the solo at like 8:00.

saut

Well the new album has been leaked, finally.

This is definitly the most mellow Opeth release, excluding Damnation. There's 3 songs that have only clean vocals -- Atonement, Hours of Wealth, and Isolation Years. I think Hours of Wealth is one of the most unique Opeth songs I've ever heard... it's almost straight up jazz. Mike's singing is top notch, of course. Definitly the best since Still Life, I think.

Ghost of Perdition is still my favorite new song, but I really like them all, except for TGC, which I am still not liking a whole lot. I don't like Atonement a whole lot yet either, it sounds just like something Steven Wilson would write.

I've only listened to it once all the way through so far, so I really can't say how I'd rank it among other albums, but it's definitly a damn fine one.

Fourtyrulz

Good heavenly Gods of metal!

This sound on this album is freakin' HUGE. I'm really digging Reverie/Harlequin Forest right now, so intense and lyrically eerie. I'm very surprised Opeth didn't decide to make the album longer, but I am glad they decided to keep Isolation Years down to only a couple minutes; it doesn't break the flow of the album very much and is overall a pretty cool track.

Some asshole comments from ultimate-metal.com: (how come people on metal sites always think everything sucks?)

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the·o·ry - a working hypothesis that is considered probable based on experimental evidence or factual or conceptual analysis and is accepted as a basis for experimentation.
faith - Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
- Merriam-Webster's dictionary

numen

Ghost Reveries is ridiculously good. Its been on full rotation for a while now. I think the thing I like about opeth (and what people loved about zep) is that they can break down the distortion and sound better than most IMO. Then when the tempo/volume goes back up it sounds 100 times as heavy. IDK I'm just ranting about one of my favorite bands.
funny this being my first post on this entire site (joined not two hours ago)..

saut

Welcome to you, numen (what a fitting name, eh?)!


Here's a little breakdown of each song and some of my impressions (I actually posted this on another forum):

1. Ghost of Perdition

Most of us have heard this one, and it's a damn fine song -- my favorite so far. This is the most "classic" Opeth sounding song.

2. Baying of the Hounds

Starts off pretty heavy and with some badass riffs, then Mike does some major key clean singing and there's a spacey/prog breakdown that is unlike anything Opeth have done before. The last riff in this song is EXTREMELY good, very triumphant sounding.

3. Beneath the Mire

Starts off with a dueling guitar riff/ keyboards, which is also very different from anything Opeth have done. Some great clean parts in this song, and another prog breakdown with some paino and classic guitar playing. This prog breakdown just oozes that oldschool prog feeling, and Mike's clean singing is superb.

4. Atonement

This song could have been Porcupine Tree. To me, it sounds like... Hallogallow meets Four Chords that Made a Million. Mike even sounds like he's channeling Steven during certain parts, especially his "aaaaaaaaaah"s. I think this is my second least favorite song on the album, right after TGC. This song actually has a really uplifting sound to it, which is something new for Opeth indeed.

5. Reverie/Harlequin Forest

Probably my second favorite song on the album. It starts off with a heavy riff and Mike clean singing over it, which continues for a while. I'm actually reminded a little of Dream Theater (in a good way) here. Some very good riffs. More proggy breakdown stuff, too, and an EXCELLENT acoustic part with some kickass atmosphere (they areeeeeeee the treeeeeeeees). Again, Mike delivers the goods with his clean singing, some of his best ever.

6. Hours of Wealth

This is one of the most different things Opeth have ever done. It's almost straight-up jazz. I get this mental picture of them playing in a smokey little club. And holy sh*t does Mike do some singing on this. One of the best mellow Opeth songs ever.

7. The Grand Conjuration

I still don't like this song, but it's defintily a lot better in a good quality rip. There's acoustic guitars playing with the distorted guitars in places that I didn't hear previously. Who knows, maybe it'll still grow on me?

8. Isolation Years

Sounds like it could have been on Damnation, but not quite. It's pretty good, but I can't seem to remember much about it other than Mike does more great singing.


Overall, the album is very good and a definite step forward. Anyone who thought Opeth would sell out by signing to RoadRunner has got to be crazy. The songs are a lot more accessable than they have ever been, but the prog influence the highest its ever been. I've only listened to it twice the whole way through, but right now I'd say it's their best since Still Life.

Fourtyrulz

Still Life being one of favorite albums of all time, I completely agree. Seeing as excited as I was for Blackwater Park to come out, it was a bit of a disappointment. Sure Deliverance a couple good songs but overall it was too short to be a true masterpiece. Damnation is a damn fine little record that you can't even compare to anything else. It seems Ghost Reveries is turning out to be the epic Opeth we've come to love.

Atonement reminds me of a beach scene in a movie; the camera panning across the waves as dusk.

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the·o·ry - a working hypothesis that is considered probable based on experimental evidence or factual or conceptual analysis and is accepted as a basis for experimentation.
faith - Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
- Merriam-Webster's dictionary

saut

Atonement actually reminds me heavily of Porcupine Tree. It's also been theorized that the last part of Atonement is actually "Reverie," becuase whoever did the rip (promos are usually spliced into 99 tracks to prevent leaking of whole songs etc) merged it with Atonement. It makes sense to me.

Zephyr66

Just downloaded the album, and I've gotta say, it's damn good. Reverie/Harlequin Forest is definately my favourite track, two thumbs up!

Jadedfox

Goosebumps. That's how I'll describe the first two tracks. So far it's fantastic stuff.

--jaded

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Jadedfox

"The Baying of the Hounds" is my favorite track as of now. I've only listened through the album once but there is nothing in that tune that doesn't give me that...Opeth feeling.

I love the starting riff in "Beneath the Mire" and overall a sweet tune as well.

Least favorite track is "Isolation Years". It's not bad but it's just...meh for now. Maybe I'll like it later. I still don't see why people don't like "The Grand Conjuration". I like it a lot, heavy riffing, an awesome dissonant acoustic guitar during the mellow vocals and a solo to die for.

It's early to give a full review but I agree with Saut that this is their best work after "Still Life" and after a few more run throughs I may rate it higher than Still Life

--jaded

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saut

I've been listening to this album non-stop for the past three days and I'm loving it more and more with each listen.

Baying is indeed a great, great song. My favorite part right now has got to be the very triumphant sounding riffage at the very end of the song.

Beneath the Mire has got some of Mike's best clean singing ever "...in a holocaust" is just perfect.

Harlequin Forest is my favorite right now, so many great parts going on there.
-"they are the treeees"
-solo
-badass riff/singing after acoustic part

Hours of Wealth sounds like he's in some smokey little dim bar, which is awesome of course.

TGC is definitly growing on me... Much better when sandwiched between two mellow songs.

Isolation Years will grow on you, I think. I didn't like it that much at first, but god damn I"m starting to realize how beautiful it is. Such a sad, sad song. The "she knows he's goooo---ooooo----one" part especially. Shit, I just wish it went on for a little longer. It's just begging for screaming solo from Mike.


If GR keeps growing on my like this, it might tie SL for number 1, or even surpass it...

Fourtyrulz

I've had lots of times to spend listening to the new album thanks to 5 hour drive upstate to go camping the last couple days. The first two tracks are incredible, my favorite being "The Baying of the Hounds", the clean part during the 3rd minute is orgasmic ("Everything you believed is a lie, everyone you loved is dead, murdered" (?)). Although 4:25 of "Ghost of Perdition" is probably the coolest Opeth melody ever. *Skip Atonement* "Reverie ..." gives me goosebumps though I wish it had a better ending. "Hours of Wealth" has some great soloing, but not one of the stronger tracks. ""The Grand Conjuration" has some awesomely heavy riffing, especially the beginning "chorus" riff. *Skip Isolation Years*

I think it's obvious that Opeth was heading for a more rhythmic approach to this album and it has pissed some people off, but they make it work brilliantly.

Fucking fantastic album!

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the·o·ry - a working hypothesis that is considered probable based on experimental evidence or factual or conceptual analysis and is accepted as a basis for experimentation.
faith - Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
- Merriam-Webster's dictionary

alpha666

hope that being on roadrunner records doesn't ruin opeth. so many great bands have gone bum up after being signed to roadrunner (although they have done some great things in the past) it seems to me that RR are doing a bit of a cash in on sweeden at the moment!

saut

Well if this album is any indication (even though it was recorded mostly before they signed to RR), Opeth are definitly not bowing down to anyone.

BTW Fourty, you had better not be skipping Beneath the Mire, because that one has got some great parts as well (especially the clean proggy part in the middle). Oh, and give Isolation Years another shot. Right now I prefer it to Hours of Wealth. Go ahead and skip Atonement, though. I don't see anything very listen-worthy about it. Maybe that'll change in time.

Fourtyrulz

Whoops. I completely forgot about Beneath the Mire. I have not listened to that song nearly as much as the others, but the Mike's vocals (both clean and growls) are killer on it.

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the·o·ry - a working hypothesis that is considered probable based on experimental evidence or factual or conceptual analysis and is accepted as a basis for experimentation.
faith - Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
- Merriam-Webster's dictionary

saut

"Master!" At about 6:00 is one of the most evil growls Mike has ever done.