OPETH „“Watershed””

Music: Progressive Death Metal
Country: Sweden
Web site: www.opeth.com
Cool Songs: Coil, Heir Apparent, Burden

OPETH has built a career out of constructing some of the most diverse music in the metal community. Since they debuted with “Orchid” in the mid nineties, these Swedes’ mixing of melodic death metal and seventies-era prog has proved insatiable to legions of fans around the world. Their albums have appealed to fans on so many levels; their lack of predictability is surely one of those reasons. One of the most notable experimentations of the band’s career includes “Damnation,” which showed the band strip away all death metal elements in favor of a melodic, progressive rock album. In 2005, “Ghost Revelries” revealed the group adding to the definition of their sound. For the first time they incorporated a keyboard player into their ranks, Per Wiberg, who added spooky atmospheres to the horror movie themes. The creativity displayed on OPETH’s newest album “Waterhed” proves the group did not waste the three-year gap between albums.

A mere statement on the ambitious creativity of “Watershed” is not enough to aptly describe its modifications. OPETH reaches a new watermark of ingenuity with “Watershed.” The group adds so many new dimensions to their sound. Although not a first in the annals of OPETH, the use of keys play a much larger role throughout the album. Per Wiberg’s myriad of keyboard instrumentation helps bring a fuller, layered sound to the mix. OPETH often gives Wiberg brief solos of a subtle nature. An excellent contrast occurs when these moments precede jarring metal passages. 'Coil' brings the album in on a gentle note with acoustic guitar, flute-like keys and the soothing vocal harmonies of Mikael Âkerfeldt and Nathalie Lorichs (they use female vocals for the first time). The segment featuring Lorichs, who looks and sings like a goddess, is truly one of the most beautiful moments ever created by the band.

‘Coil’ may convey a feeling of a cool wind, but ‘Heir Apparent’ relates the tactility of desert rock. OPETH initiates this track with ringing chords of a doomed demeanor. Âkerfeldt soon lashes out with a fierce, chugging guitar and his trademark growls. OPETH brings the pace to a halt midway through the track, only to kick back in at a much quicker tempo. Guitarists Fredrik and Mikael join drummer Martin Axenrot in thoroughly abusing their instruments. The Odyssey-alluded-title ‘The Lotus Eaters’ continues this enraged tempo, but instead of donning a harsh, death metal stance, like a power metal singer Âkerfeldt uses the speed to propel his voice. These two tracks show OPETH pushing the rate of beats like never before, and Âkerfeldt applying this energy to his voice in a rare fashion.

“Watershed” should be seen as a great album not only because OPETH has managed to stay dynamic, but because it’s OPETH. OPETH is 9 and 0 with their releases, so even though you might not know exactly what they are going to bring, you know it will be good. One reason OPETH has always brought the goodies is their adherence to their style. “Watershed” was a bit difficult to get into at first because they diverge from this style just a bit.

“Watershed” could also be considered one of their lightest albums and draw a comparison to “Damnation” in that regard. However, a couple listens reveal the group’s genius, and the new elements actually bring freshness to their music. Although the group modified some of their style, they never really betrayed it. Thanks to these modifications and the financial backing of Roadrunner Records, OPETH charted #23 on Billboard. With “Watershed,” OPETH deserves this success and much more!

note: 9/10

Tracklist

1. Coil
2. Heir Apparent
3. The Lotus Eater
4. Burden
5. Porcelain Heart
6. Hessian Peel
7. Hex Omega
Total playing time 54:54

Line-up

Mikael Ĺkerfeldt: vocals, guitar, production
Fredrik Ĺkesson: guitar
Martin Mendez: bass
Martin Axenrot: drums, percussion
Per Wiberg: keyboards
Nathalie Lorichs: guest vocals on “Coil”