I am a relative Opeth newbie. Only started getting into them this Summer (thanks to a great friend who let me borrow BWP, Still Life, and D1). And I was blown away. After SOTU, and meeting them in person, I couldn't believe how such down-to-earth nice folks could make such powerful, epic music.
And then came Ghost Reveries. I had so much catching up to do with Opeth's past, I really wasn't thinking about the album. But when it came out and I played it for the first time, I was speechless. It was so masterfully put together....every note was perfectly placed and expertly played. From the last solo on Ghost of Perdition (JAW Droppingly amazing) to Mikael's always-improving vocals (evident on Hours of Wealth), to Mendez's almost-funky bass lines throughout the album, it took me literally months to find words to describe the album. Without question, it topped my albums list for this year, and I still listen to it constantly, picking new things up.
And for the record, I absolutely LOVE the sense of evil surrounding "The Grand Conjuration...such a cool vibe. And, "Isolation Years" literally reduced me to tears the first time I heard it. So, "Ghost Reveries" is a towering accomplishment in every sense; a testament to the fact that Opeth somehow find new ways to out-do themselves with each release. I can't wait for the next one.