Opeth.com updated! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Jadedfox · 02-16-2005, 07:45 AM

Opeth are set to begin recording their 8th opus March 15th 2005!

Linky

And there was much rejoicing!

--jaded

grendel · 02-16-2005, 09:43 AM

i still need to check these guys out...

blitz.fenix · 02-16-2005, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grendel

i still need to check these guys out...

Do it now! You won't regret it...

Zephyr66 · 02-16-2005, 02:17 PM

Hooray for Opeth's Opus. I'm sure it'll kick ass!

grendel · 02-16-2005, 03:50 PM

b.f, i assume your avitar is from a movie? which one?

blitz.fenix · 02-16-2005, 04:28 PM

Battle Royale, japanese movie although you can get it with dubs. Good movie too.

grendel · 02-16-2005, 05:48 PM

i thought i recognized it... have you read the book? it's really good. i finished the book and then bought the movie off ebay on DVD - which i think turned out to be a bootleg. still, it was good to get to see it.

saut · 02-16-2005, 07:14 PM

Yes, this is excellent news! I'm not sure what to think of Steven Wilson not producing this next album, though -- I really liked his work on BWP, Damnation, and Deliverance... but those albums were sort of missing a little bit of the magic that was present on Still Life and MAYH. Let's hope they can recapture some of that rawness with a return to self-producing, but still keep the polished sound they have on the later albums. This might be a complete contradiction, but it makes sense... in my mind.

Oh, and grendel: Definitly check Opeth out. If you're already into metal (and can at least tolerate growls), then pretty much anywhere is a good place to start. If not, then start with the album Damnation, which is their all melodic/progrock type album.

grendel · 02-16-2005, 09:09 PM

damnation sounds like the place to start for me. i'm a progger at heart, but definitely can get into heavier stuff.

Jadedfox · 02-17-2005, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grendel

damnation sounds like the place to start for me. i'm a progger at heart, but definitely can get into heavier stuff.

I'd dive right into Still Life then. Damnation is very very good, but to get a real feel for the band, I'd choose something else. I hate it when people hear Damnation first and then expect Opeth to sound just like that on other albums. Then they check out Still Life or My Arms, Your Hearse and go what the hell is this?

Just my 2 cents

--jaded

saut · 02-17-2005, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jadedfox

I'd dive right into Still Life then. Damnation is very very good, but to get a real feel for the band, I'd choose something else. I hate it when people hear Damnation first and then expect Opeth to sound just like that on other albums. Then they check out Still Life or My Arms, Your Hearse and go what the hell is this?

Yeah, I think that Still Life is an excellent repesentation of the Opeth sound as a whole -- lots of heaviness, lots of acoustic and or melodic bits, lots of growling, lots of great clean singing, and lots of kickass guitar action all over the place. Plus, you can't go wrong with the folk section in Godhead's Lament or the intro to Moonlapse Vertigo. Yeah, go for Still Life along with Damntion (which you should enjoy being a prog fan -- that's how I got into Opeth).

lunchbox · 02-17-2005, 09:25 AM

I can't get over how inventive these guys are. Every cd they try something new and it sounds amazing. Its hard to get an 'overall view' of a band that likes to experiment a bit. I'd recommend morningrise too that's cd is phenomenol.

saut · 02-17-2005, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunchbox

I'd recommend morningrise too that's cd is phenomenol.

I just can't seem to get into the first three albums (orchid, morningrise, mayh) in the same way I do with Still Life on up. What am I missing here? So many people name those three albums as their favorites, but I just don't see why. Maybe I'm not listening hard enough?

Jadedfox · 02-18-2005, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saut

I just can't seem to get into the first three albums (orchid, morningrise, mayh) in the same way I do with Still Life on up. What am I missing here? So many people name those three albums as their favorites, but I just don't see why. Maybe I'm not listening hard enough?

You're not alone. Many old Opeth fans will disagree with me on this one, but I think Opeth has matured so much musically from the Pre-Still Life days. I still love MAYH and parts of Morningrise, but I don't really get much out of it. Orchid I don't really listen too at all. It just sounds so...unrefined.

Still Life and later is where Opeth really shines in my opinion.

--jaded

saut · 02-18-2005, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jadedfox

You're not alone. Many old Opeth fans will disagree with me on this one, but I think Opeth has matured so much musically from the Pre-Still Life days. I still love MAYH and parts of Morningrise, but I don't really get much out of it. Orchid I don't really listen too at all. It just sounds so...unrefined.

Still Life and later is where Opeth really shines in my opinion.

--jaded

My sentiments exactly. While the first three albums have their moments, everything from Still Life on is so much more solid. I swear to god, though, 90% of Opeth fans say that My Arms, Your Hearse is their favorite. I just don't understand it! They're all good songs and all, but nothing really stands out to me about them like the songs on Still Life, Blackwater Park, D1 & D2.

Tusko · 02-18-2005, 07:16 PM

the moor = the best opeth song

any thoughts on what the new one will sound like?

with the departure of steve wilson, i can see a leap back to older stuff, as mentioned. maybe we can see something more like Bloodbath? (new record out, it kicks ass)

saut · 02-19-2005, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rune

the moor = the best opeth song

any thoughts on what the new one will sound like?

with the departure of steve wilson, i can see a leap back to older stuff, as mentioned. maybe we can see something more like Bloodbath? (new record out, it kicks ass)

Yes, the Moor is excellent (especially the buildup to the first riff and the riff itself, and that growl!), but I prefer Godhead's Lament. It's got more variety, I guess; it covers so much ground in 10 minutes that at some points I can't believe I'm listening to the same song.

It's hard to say what the new album will sound like, especially with the lack of steven wilson. I think he had a lot of influence over the albums that he produced, and there is certainly a different sound between Still Life and Blackwater Park, for example. I just hope they stop using the so-called "telephone voice" effect so often. The only thing I'm expecting is some great music with heavy riffs and growling, some kickass solos, and some awesome acoustic playing with clean singing. That's probably a safe bet.

Tophat665 · 02-19-2005, 05:34 PM

OK, I have checked Opeth out, and I must admit that their music rocks. Their singer, however, needs a hot steaming cup of STFU. It's pretty hard for me to listen to some really nifty arrangements when the singer is growling. (Not that I can do any better, mind you - I have a singing voice that can be very much like that.)

So I haven't figured out if I'm going to be listening to them on any sort of a regular basis yet.

saut · 02-20-2005, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tophat665

OK, I have checked Opeth out, and I must admit that their music rocks. Their singer, however, needs a hot steaming cup of STFU. It's pretty hard for me to listen to some really nifty arrangements when the singer is growling. (Not that I can do any better, mind you - I have a singing voice that can be very much like that.)

So I haven't figured out if I'm going to be listening to them on any sort of a regular basis yet.

Believe me, you'll get past the growling, and even come to enjoy it. I started out listening to Damnation exclusively and avoiding any songs with growls. This was only two or three months ago, believe it or not. Since then, I've realized the necessity of growling in their music, and how it enchances a song. It started as being able to merely tolerate the growling so I could get to the great clean singing parts, but now there's times when the growl will send a shiver down my spine (see: dirge for november, the climax of blackwater park just after the long instrumental interlude) and I can't imagine Opeth without it.

Obviously, death vocals aren't for everyone. But not too long ago, I thought I was one of those people.

Jadedfox · 02-21-2005, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rune

the moor = the best opeth song

any thoughts on what the new one will sound like?

Impossible to tell. The only hint Mikael has dropped (and this was a while back mind you) was that he wanted to write songs about the occult and he wanted it to be very, very dark and heavy. Hope he meant it!

Regarding growly vocals, yes they aren't for evryone. It took me sometime to get used to them as well, but like saut said once you get used to them they just add so much to the songs. If you read the lyrics to the songs (from Still Life for a good example) the growly parts fit so well with the story.

If you can't get into it at all, check out Damnation. Hard to believe it's the same singer

--jaded

saut · 02-21-2005, 01:24 PM

And if you really really can't stand the growling but crave more Opeth, here's a list of songs with all "clean singing" or no singing (and not on Damnation):

A Fair Judgement
For Absent Friends
Harvest
Madrigal
Still Day Beneath the Sun
Patterns in the Ivy I and II
Credence
Face of Melinda
Benighted
To Bid You Farewell

But be warned: You're missing out on some really great music if you chose to skip out on the rest of their songs.

saut · 02-21-2005, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jadedfox

Impossible to tell. The only hint Mikael has dropped (and this was a while back mind you) was that he wanted to write songs about the occult and he wanted it to be very, very dark and heavy. Hope he meant it!

Over at the official Opeth forums, I've heard that they have about 100 minutes of music written already. I've also heard some things about Gregorian chants on the album, but that was a while ago and may have been abandoned (like the black metal concept).

Jadedfox · 05-09-2005, 01:09 AM

Site updated! New album scheduled for release late August early September 2005!

Rejoice!

Read all about it www.opeth.com under the news section.

--jaded

saut · 05-09-2005, 08:19 AM

I can't wait for this album. I even had a dream about it a few nights ago! In my dream, 20 seconds of a new song leaked and I remember there being a really weird guitar solo.

90degree · 05-09-2005, 12:42 PM

I am very much awaiting Opeths next offering. As for the vocals...trust me.. you will appreciate everything mikael has to offer over time. He is come to be one of my favorite vocalists and that is from starting out as having never really been into cookie monster growling..as I called it ... To see him do both clean and ruff vocals live is impressive..and as someone above stated.. it becomes so much a part of the music and is vital to what opeth are all about... very expressive and fitting. anyhow.. opeth are one of the best bands of the genre 'musically' and much more 'musicians' than many, many, many of the mainstream bands in most geners .. especially pop,nu-metal.. popular rock catagories... IMHO.

oh.. and as for disc to start out with.. I would have to say BlackWater Park. I believe it to be the most accessable... besides Damnation.. which in my opinion is not the type of opeth sound to start out with .. and even I listen to it only occasionally.

And I would have to say that the hands down best Opeth disc IMO.. would be My Arms Your Hearse... and it took awhile for that to be the case... the list would look like this...

MAYH
Still Life
BWP
Deliverance
Morningrise
Orchid... allthough when I am in the mood I really enjoy it.

and Damnation floats in limbo for me... I enjoy it when I do listen to it.. but there is never a NEED to listen to it as with the first four on that list.

Anyhow.. that is my .02

saut · 05-09-2005, 07:59 PM

I don't agree with you on Damnation not being a good first exposure to Opeth. That's the album that got me interested in the band (although I wasn't a full fledged fan until I got into Still Life). That is, unless you're already a fan of metal and are accustomed to the growling, which really puts a lot of people off.

Here's how I rank Opeth's albums (quite different from you, 90degree):

Still Life
Blackwater Park
Morningrise
Deliverance
Damnation
Orchid
MAYH

To be honest, I don't know why MAYH is the favorite for so many people. The songwriting isn't up to par with any of their other work, Mike's melodic voice is not so great (he had a cold!), none of the riffs are memorable, and the acoustic/melodic parts aren't very good either. I mean, when you look at an album like Still Life, which is just oozing with atmosphere, great riffs, great songwriting, great melodic parts (folk section in Godhead's Lament > entire MAYH album), plus Mike's singing is really great.

Anyway, I can't wait for the new album. It's really hard to say where Opeth's sound is heading, especially after D1/D2. I imagine that we'll see a sort of logical progression from those two albums, with the more Porcupine Tree-ish feel to the melodic parts (see: Damnation), and a more brutal approach to the heavy parts (see: Deliverance). The only thing I know for sure is that there are going to be church bells and organs, which could definitly be interesting. Organs are just fucking evil sounding. And church bells... well, just listen to Part III of Agalloch's "She Painted Fire Across the Skyline" for how to use bells in a metal song. It's fucking epic. Opeth are already fucking epic, though, so correct placement of bells on the new album is going to be like a 25 on the Richter scale of epicness.

Sweet moses I'm excited.

90degree · 05-10-2005, 04:05 PM

"""""I don't agree with you on Damnation not being a good first exposure to Opeth. That's the album that got me interested in the band """

""""" Here's how I rank Opeth's albums (quite different from you, 90degree): """""

allright man.. try on the fact that i have been listening to the band since Morningrise came out. And the peeps that like MAYH over most other discs have mostly also been listening that long.. and.. perhaps if you really delved into it you would be able to understand... or dont bother.. u seem to really have a handle on it all... heh.

sometimes good exposure for a band can be a bad thing... lol. same thing is about to happen to Strapping Young Lad.. .. then I will get to hear the opinions of all the newbie SYL fans... weeeeeeee.

saut · 05-10-2005, 08:24 PM

I really don't want to debate here, I'm sorry if it came off that way. I really want to know what is so great about MAYH. I didn't "get" Morningrise or Orchid at first, but now I've come to really like the two (Morningrise moreso).

Damnation is a good first exposure to Opeth for someone who has not listened to a lot of metal. It's the gateway album. I would certainly not be listening to Opeth (or any metal) if I had not heard Damnation. You can't just thrust extreme music on someone, it's something you've gotta ease into.

How is good exposure a bad thing? I understand that it's nice to have a special band that most people don't know exists, but from the musician's point of view, they're trying to get the music out to as many people as possible. Even the tr00est of the tr00 kvlt gotta put bread on the table, right?

90degree · 05-13-2005, 02:32 PM

ok saut.. sorry if i came off like an elitest asswhipe... i think i was having a bad day.. heh.

Anyhow,, all I can say is.. at some point.. MAYH will become your favorite disc if you give it the opportunity... it will not happen right away.. because as you say.. u just began listening to this type of music... just give the disc a chance .. listen to it... over and over.. look for the reasons.. because they are there.

And I still think that BWP is the best place to start.. it imo has some of the most 'catchy' songs that have both the clear vocals and the growls.. therefore a person gets a dose of both and can begin to appreciate opeth for what they are... Damnation is ok.. but it is not.. OPETH. if you get my meaning.

As for exposure.. of course it is good for the band... but the fan usually losses out in the end at some point. I turn everyone I know onto opeth .. so it is not as if I do not want them to make money.. heh.

Anyhow.. enjoy them anyway u see fit.. ; ]

saut · 05-13-2005, 07:22 PM

Hopefully MAYH will grow on me one day. Everyone's always raving about how great of a song "When" is, but I can't figure out why for the life of me. Perhaps I'll "get it" after many more listens.

Anyway, I am getting really, really excited for the new release. August (being optimistic) is not that far away at all. There was an interview in Guitar Magazine with Mikael recently where he answered a question along the lines of "what songs define Opeth the best?" He said something like "well older songs like Deliverance and The Drapery Falls, but any one of the songs from the album we are recording."

Oh man am I excited.

Here's the interview:

Quote:

OPETH

GW:What do you want to acheive as a guitarist, and how do you go about getting your sound?
MA:I mainly focus on writing songs, so my technique has become less important over the years. I like to be versatile both in my playing and songwriting, so for me the best way to progress is to listen to loads of different kinds of music and get influenced. I don't practice; I play guitar in order to come up with some cool licks. My setup is simple: I have a Boss GT6 that can hold all my sounds. I believe your sounds is in your fingers, which should react to the pulse of your heart and the hissing in your head. No machine can help you if your body's producing shit.

GW:What recorded performance represents your personal best?
MA:"Hope Leaves" [from Damnation] is a song I'm very proud of. It turned out better than the demo, which was phenomenal to start with. My best recorded solo is the clean one in "Windowpane" [from Damnation] or my part in "Harvest" [from Blackwater Park]. I like off-the-wall stuff.

GW:What song best represents your band?
MA: We're recording a new album right now, so probably any of those cuts. But older stuff like "Deliverance" [from Deliverance] or "The Drapery Falls" [from Blackwater Park] are typical Opeth-sounding songs.

GW: What guitarists on the tour or among your peers do you most admire, and why?
MA:The bands on this tour are new to me, apart from Clutch and Strapping Young Lad. I guess I've gotta say [SYL's] Devin Townsend, and I think Jeff Loomis of Nevermore deserves more credit as a guitar player. I'm into different types of players these days than the typical ones. I really like Andy Latimer, Jerry Donahue, Blackmore...and Yngwie, of course!

GW: What is the future of metal?
MA: Perhaps more pretty bands that aren't really metal? I've no idea, and I don't give a flying fuck about the future of metal, as I'm sure the next big thing is gonna suck as hard as what's big now. I'm a grumpy old-schooler that still cradles my old records and has little interest in the "metal" of today.

Jadedfox · 05-23-2005, 03:07 PM

Another update!

Some titles off the new record have been announced. They are "Ghost of perdition", "The baying of the hounds", "Isolation years" and "Harlequin forest". I can't wait for this album. It's scheduled to be finished June 1st.

Oh and they just signed with Roadrunner.

--jaded

Jadedfox · 06-03-2005, 03:27 AM

The new album will entitled "Ghost Reveries". Maybe Mikael is sticking to the occult theme after all.

--jaded

drewg · 06-03-2005, 04:21 AM

Weeee! I can't wait!

saut · 06-03-2005, 07:24 AM

Yes, it sounds like it will be a concept album too. I can't freaking wait.

Jadedfox · 06-15-2005, 04:27 AM

A few journalists from select metal magazines were invited to spend a couple of days with the band and listening to the studio. The A&R rep from Roadrunner (Opeth's new label) had this to say:

"Heard four songs and was blown away....basically, they encompass all things Opeth with a confidence and aggressiveness that smells like a band's best record. Mikael Akerfeldt told the truth when he talked about a return to the heaviness Opeth is known for. The album's opener, "Ghost of Perdition" explodes into a god-like riff (replete with his unholy roar) before clobbering you with riffs and musical moves that stretch and break the limits of what can be done within the same song.

You can hear a band so self-assured it's frightening. Keyboardist Per Wiberg -- now a fulltime member of Opeth -- adds hugely to the band's sound without overwhelming or softening the intensity of things. Akerfeldt possesses a much stronger vocal range. And drummer Martin Lopez throws in a lot freer range of rhythms and percussion than you've ever heard in Opeth's sound in the past.

As strong as the sound and mix of the record was with Steven Wilson on the past three record, the sound of this record is crushing. The band, along with engineer/mixer Jens Borgen have crafted a sound that is totally intricate and in your face. I can't wait til the world hears this record."

I just can't fucking wait now haha.

--jaded

saut · 06-15-2005, 09:06 PM

I know, I've been reading every bit of news and interview I can get my hands on. The official forums are a pretty good place for keeping up with the latest happenings. There hasn't been anything new for like a week now, though

.

Tusko · 06-19-2005, 02:32 PM

i am SO pumped to hear it

saut · 06-25-2005, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rune

i am SO pumped to hear it

Sirius radio has played a song from the new album -- The Grand Conjuration. If you'd like the hear it, go here: http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=199950

You can download it from a link in the first post. It's a radio rip, so the sound quality isnt so great, but it is definitly listenable. The song itself is very heavy, has an awesome solo, some weird singing, and some spooky keyboards.

I'm not sure how much I like it yet -- it hasnt really grabbed me with the same awesomeness of songs from albums past, but it's not bad. There's some really cool parts and the atmosphere is pretty groovy.

My only complaints are that the intro is kind of nu-metallish, so is the heavy riff that keeps getting repeated (although I think it works well anyway), and the lack of acoustic/folky parts. This is only one song, and I think it might be the album's closer, so I have a feeling that it's sort of the "Blackwater Park" or "White Cluster" of Ghost Reveries.

Also, Mike's clean singing is unlike anything he's done before. It's not all soaring and beautiful, but I like it in this song.

Just remember, this is only one song, and I've heard it's not even the final mix.

PS: The solo rapes.

Jadedfox · 06-25-2005, 06:59 PM

Downloading as I type this, I'll let you know what I think

--jaded

EDIT: I really enjoyed it. I don't think the intro sounded nu-metalish at all, but rather set the main theme for the song itself. The solo was crazy good but my favorite part was the subtle clean guitar lick. Really dissonant and fit in sooo well.

Drumming was as always superb and so were the heavy vocals. Now, if we could just get a good version (sound wise) we'd be set!

Zephyr66 · 06-25-2005, 08:11 PM

I really enjoyed The Grand Conjuration, really dark and spooky feeling.
I'm looking forward to the new album.

02-16-2005, 07:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jadedfox Egocentric Location: World of Warcraft	Opeth.com updated! Opeth are set to begin recording their 8th opus March 15th 2005! Linky And there was much rejoicing! --jaded __________________ There is no fucking you, there is only me.

02-17-2005, 09:25 AM	#12 (permalink)
lunchbox Thank God hockey is back Location: Deeeeeetroit	I can't get over how inventive these guys are. Every cd they try something new and it sounds amazing. Its hard to get an 'overall view' of a band that likes to experiment a bit. I'd recommend morningrise too that's cd is phenomenol. __________________ A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. -Douglas Adams

02-19-2005, 05:34 PM	#18 (permalink)
Tophat665 Minion of the scaléd ones Location: Northeast Jesusland	OK, I have checked Opeth out, and I must admit that their music rocks. Their singer, however, needs a hot steaming cup of STFU. It's pretty hard for me to listen to some really nifty arrangements when the singer is growling. (Not that I can do any better, mind you - I have a singing voice that can be very much like that.) So I haven't figured out if I'm going to be listening to them on any sort of a regular basis yet. __________________ Light a man a fire, and he will be warm while it burns. Set a man on fire, and he will be warm for the rest of his life.

05-09-2005, 01:09 AM	#23 (permalink)
Jadedfox Egocentric Location: World of Warcraft	Site updated! New album scheduled for release late August early September 2005! Rejoice! Read all about it www.opeth.com under the news section. --jaded __________________ There is no fucking you, there is only me.

05-10-2005, 04:05 PM	#27 (permalink)
90degree Insane	"""""I don't agree with you on Damnation not being a good first exposure to Opeth. That's the album that got me interested in the band """ """"" Here's how I rank Opeth's albums (quite different from you, 90degree): """"" allright man.. try on the fact that i have been listening to the band since Morningrise came out. And the peeps that like MAYH over most other discs have mostly also been listening that long.. and.. perhaps if you really delved into it you would be able to understand... or dont bother.. u seem to really have a handle on it all... heh. sometimes good exposure for a band can be a bad thing... lol. same thing is about to happen to Strapping Young Lad.. .. then I will get to hear the opinions of all the newbie SYL fans... weeeeeeee. Last edited by 90degree; 05-10-2005 at 04:08 PM..

02-16-2005, 09:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
grendel Psycho	i still need to check these guys out...

02-16-2005, 02:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Zephyr66 My custom title's the shit! Location: Canada	Hooray for Opeth's Opus. I'm sure it'll kick ass!

02-16-2005, 03:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
grendel Psycho	b.f, i assume your avitar is from a movie? which one?

02-16-2005, 04:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
blitz.fenix Insane Location: Toronto	Battle Royale, japanese movie although you can get it with dubs. Good movie too.

02-16-2005, 05:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
grendel Psycho	i thought i recognized it... have you read the book? it's really good. i finished the book and then bought the movie off ebay on DVD - which i think turned out to be a bootleg. still, it was good to get to see it.

02-16-2005, 07:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
saut Registered User Location: Pittsburgh	Yes, this is excellent news! I'm not sure what to think of Steven Wilson not producing this next album, though -- I really liked his work on BWP, Damnation, and Deliverance... but those albums were sort of missing a little bit of the magic that was present on Still Life and MAYH. Let's hope they can recapture some of that rawness with a return to self-producing, but still keep the polished sound they have on the later albums. This might be a complete contradiction, but it makes sense... in my mind. Oh, and grendel: Definitly check Opeth out. If you're already into metal (and can at least tolerate growls), then pretty much anywhere is a good place to start. If not, then start with the album Damnation, which is their all melodic/progrock type album.

02-16-2005, 09:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
grendel Psycho	damnation sounds like the place to start for me. i'm a progger at heart, but definitely can get into heavier stuff.

02-18-2005, 07:16 PM	#16 (permalink)
Tusko Psycho	the moor = the best opeth song any thoughts on what the new one will sound like? with the departure of steve wilson, i can see a leap back to older stuff, as mentioned. maybe we can see something more like Bloodbath? (new record out, it kicks ass)

02-21-2005, 01:24 PM	#21 (permalink)
saut Registered User Location: Pittsburgh	And if you really really can't stand the growling but crave more Opeth, here's a list of songs with all "clean singing" or no singing (and not on Damnation): A Fair Judgement For Absent Friends Harvest Madrigal Still Day Beneath the Sun Patterns in the Ivy I and II Credence Face of Melinda Benighted To Bid You Farewell But be warned: You're missing out on some really great music if you chose to skip out on the rest of their songs.

05-09-2005, 08:19 AM	#24 (permalink)
saut Registered User Location: Pittsburgh	I can't wait for this album. I even had a dream about it a few nights ago! In my dream, 20 seconds of a new song leaked and I remember there being a really weird guitar solo.

05-09-2005, 12:42 PM	#25 (permalink)
90degree Insane	I am very much awaiting Opeths next offering. As for the vocals...trust me.. you will appreciate everything mikael has to offer over time. He is come to be one of my favorite vocalists and that is from starting out as having never really been into cookie monster growling..as I called it ... To see him do both clean and ruff vocals live is impressive..and as someone above stated.. it becomes so much a part of the music and is vital to what opeth are all about... very expressive and fitting. anyhow.. opeth are one of the best bands of the genre 'musically' and much more 'musicians' than many, many, many of the mainstream bands in most geners .. especially pop,nu-metal.. popular rock catagories... IMHO. oh.. and as for disc to start out with.. I would have to say BlackWater Park. I believe it to be the most accessable... besides Damnation.. which in my opinion is not the type of opeth sound to start out with .. and even I listen to it only occasionally. And I would have to say that the hands down best Opeth disc IMO.. would be My Arms Your Hearse... and it took awhile for that to be the case... the list would look like this... MAYH Still Life BWP Deliverance Morningrise Orchid... allthough when I am in the mood I really enjoy it. and Damnation floats in limbo for me... I enjoy it when I do listen to it.. but there is never a NEED to listen to it as with the first four on that list. Anyhow.. that is my .02

05-09-2005, 07:59 PM	#26 (permalink)
saut Registered User Location: Pittsburgh	I don't agree with you on Damnation not being a good first exposure to Opeth. That's the album that got me interested in the band (although I wasn't a full fledged fan until I got into Still Life). That is, unless you're already a fan of metal and are accustomed to the growling, which really puts a lot of people off. Here's how I rank Opeth's albums (quite different from you, 90degree): Still Life Blackwater Park Morningrise Deliverance Damnation Orchid MAYH To be honest, I don't know why MAYH is the favorite for so many people. The songwriting isn't up to par with any of their other work, Mike's melodic voice is not so great (he had a cold!), none of the riffs are memorable, and the acoustic/melodic parts aren't very good either. I mean, when you look at an album like Still Life, which is just oozing with atmosphere, great riffs, great songwriting, great melodic parts (folk section in Godhead's Lament > entire MAYH album), plus Mike's singing is really great. Anyway, I can't wait for the new album. It's really hard to say where Opeth's sound is heading, especially after D1/D2. I imagine that we'll see a sort of logical progression from those two albums, with the more Porcupine Tree-ish feel to the melodic parts (see: Damnation), and a more brutal approach to the heavy parts (see: Deliverance). The only thing I know for sure is that there are going to be church bells and organs, which could definitly be interesting. Organs are just fucking evil sounding. And church bells... well, just listen to Part III of Agalloch's "She Painted Fire Across the Skyline" for how to use bells in a metal song. It's fucking epic. Opeth are already fucking epic, though, so correct placement of bells on the new album is going to be like a 25 on the Richter scale of epicness. Sweet moses I'm excited.

05-10-2005, 08:24 PM	#28 (permalink)
saut Registered User Location: Pittsburgh	I really don't want to debate here, I'm sorry if it came off that way. I really want to know what is so great about MAYH. I didn't "get" Morningrise or Orchid at first, but now I've come to really like the two (Morningrise moreso). Damnation is a good first exposure to Opeth for someone who has not listened to a lot of metal. It's the gateway album. I would certainly not be listening to Opeth (or any metal) if I had not heard Damnation. You can't just thrust extreme music on someone, it's something you've gotta ease into. How is good exposure a bad thing? I understand that it's nice to have a special band that most people don't know exists, but from the musician's point of view, they're trying to get the music out to as many people as possible. Even the tr00est of the tr00 kvlt gotta put bread on the table, right?

05-13-2005, 02:32 PM	#29 (permalink)
90degree Insane	ok saut.. sorry if i came off like an elitest asswhipe... i think i was having a bad day.. heh. Anyhow,, all I can say is.. at some point.. MAYH will become your favorite disc if you give it the opportunity... it will not happen right away.. because as you say.. u just began listening to this type of music... just give the disc a chance .. listen to it... over and over.. look for the reasons.. because they are there. And I still think that BWP is the best place to start.. it imo has some of the most 'catchy' songs that have both the clear vocals and the growls.. therefore a person gets a dose of both and can begin to appreciate opeth for what they are... Damnation is ok.. but it is not.. OPETH. if you get my meaning. As for exposure.. of course it is good for the band... but the fan usually losses out in the end at some point. I turn everyone I know onto opeth .. so it is not as if I do not want them to make money.. heh. Anyhow.. enjoy them anyway u see fit.. ; ]

05-23-2005, 03:07 PM	#31 (permalink)
Jadedfox Egocentric Location: World of Warcraft	Another update! Some titles off the new record have been announced. They are "Ghost of perdition", "The baying of the hounds", "Isolation years" and "Harlequin forest". I can't wait for this album. It's scheduled to be finished June 1st. Oh and they just signed with Roadrunner. --jaded __________________ There is no fucking you, there is only me.

06-03-2005, 03:27 AM	#32 (permalink)
Jadedfox Egocentric Location: World of Warcraft	The new album will entitled "Ghost Reveries". Maybe Mikael is sticking to the occult theme after all. --jaded __________________ There is no fucking you, there is only me.

06-03-2005, 04:21 AM	#33 (permalink)
drewg Crazy Location: Norway	Weeee! I can't wait!

06-03-2005, 07:24 AM	#34 (permalink)
saut Registered User Location: Pittsburgh	Yes, it sounds like it will be a concept album too. I can't freaking wait.

06-15-2005, 04:27 AM	#35 (permalink)
Jadedfox Egocentric Location: World of Warcraft	A few journalists from select metal magazines were invited to spend a couple of days with the band and listening to the studio. The A&R rep from Roadrunner (Opeth's new label) had this to say: "Heard four songs and was blown away....basically, they encompass all things Opeth with a confidence and aggressiveness that smells like a band's best record. Mikael Akerfeldt told the truth when he talked about a return to the heaviness Opeth is known for. The album's opener, "Ghost of Perdition" explodes into a god-like riff (replete with his unholy roar) before clobbering you with riffs and musical moves that stretch and break the limits of what can be done within the same song. You can hear a band so self-assured it's frightening. Keyboardist Per Wiberg -- now a fulltime member of Opeth -- adds hugely to the band's sound without overwhelming or softening the intensity of things. Akerfeldt possesses a much stronger vocal range. And drummer Martin Lopez throws in a lot freer range of rhythms and percussion than you've ever heard in Opeth's sound in the past. As strong as the sound and mix of the record was with Steven Wilson on the past three record, the sound of this record is crushing. The band, along with engineer/mixer Jens Borgen have crafted a sound that is totally intricate and in your face. I can't wait til the world hears this record." I just can't fucking wait now haha. --jaded __________________ There is no fucking you, there is only me.

06-15-2005, 09:06 PM	#36 (permalink)
saut Registered User Location: Pittsburgh	I know, I've been reading every bit of news and interview I can get my hands on. The official forums are a pretty good place for keeping up with the latest happenings. There hasn't been anything new for like a week now, though .

06-19-2005, 02:32 PM	#37 (permalink)
Tusko Psycho	i am SO pumped to hear it

06-25-2005, 06:59 PM	#39 (permalink)
Jadedfox Egocentric Location: World of Warcraft	Downloading as I type this, I'll let you know what I think --jaded EDIT: I really enjoyed it. I don't think the intro sounded nu-metalish at all, but rather set the main theme for the song itself. The solo was crazy good but my favorite part was the subtle clean guitar lick. Really dissonant and fit in sooo well. Drumming was as always superb and so were the heavy vocals. Now, if we could just get a good version (sound wise) we'd be set! __________________ There is no fucking you, there is only me. Last edited by Jadedfox; 06-26-2005 at 10:42 PM..

06-25-2005, 08:11 PM	#40 (permalink)
Zephyr66 My custom title's the shit! Location: Canada	I really enjoyed The Grand Conjuration, really dark and spooky feeling. I'm looking forward to the new album.