Yes, Opeth absolutely deliver live, instrumentally, vocally, everything. I was wondering if maybe they were more a studio band-- too technical or uptight live maybe? Nope. They exude charisma, energy, and love of the music and fans. No rock star BS, no metal histrionics. Just genuine warmth and energy. It was a thrill to witness such deserving musicians finding artistic and popular success before your very eyes. Worcester loves its Opeth. During the preceding set break, many cheered as their logo banner lowered.
Setlist? No complaints here, though a track from Orchid would have rounded out the evening nicely. Three songs from Blackwater was a little excessivewhy not one more Still Lifer?but, then again, why nitpick? We all have our favorites and they cant please every one perfectly.
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Quick breakdown:
1. Leper Affinity: Powerful opening. How more blown away could we be? The sound mix perfect, the growl deep and menacing, and when we hit the clean vocals yes, Mikael delivers live, all doubts dispelled. No harmonies, but they make up for it with his strong vocal tone and a little reverb.
2. Advent: I loved it. It flowed better than album version IMO. Being a newer fan, Im not quite as enthusiastic about their first couple albums, which are more instrumental and less cohesive in terms of song composition, but this performance was genuinely exciting.
3. Deliverance: Solid version, though I must admit, I thought they might have been a little off here and there. Not that they made mistakes per se, but it might have been a little rushed or uncomfortable, at least compared to an older favorite like Advent, which flowed naturally. Still great though; I just dont think they hit the songs sweet spot. Everyone cheered when the final section came up.
4. Drapery Falls: A little more raw than the polished, produced studio version, but it wasnt missing anything. The crowd cheered some bits, especially the final acoustic vocal hook. Beautiful.
5. Godheads Lament: Yes! One of my highlights. Played to perfection. Sounded as rich as album, even thought the acoustic bits a bit more spare. They hit the sweet spot of this one, to say the least.
6. Credence: Sounded great. What else can you say? Personally, though, its my least favorite clean track. Wouldnt it be great to hear Bid you Farewell with Mikaels latest, much-improved singing voice? And, ultimately, if I were king of the world, they would have played Melinda here.
7. Bleak: The main riff sounded more straight metal and less atmospheric. Its great to hear Blackwater Park songs live, stripped down and played more dynamically (though I love the thick, layered album versions too.)
8. Fair Judgment: Beautiful. At end of song, at the last line, Mikael turns the mic to the crowd to sing the final here. Perfect closing to show. As several times before, all hands in the air.
9. Demons of the Fall: Tore the roof off. The perfect ending. One of the most monstrous death metal pieces ever conceived by humankind.
I must also praise the Palladiums sound; we stood right behind the sound desk. Ive heard plenty of shit sound systems, and shit this was not. And its not just Opeths gear enhancing the sound; I saw Dio there recently and they sounded perfect too, as mighty as a mighty elf could be. The only criticism I would make is that sometimes the leads & solos, especially Peters, were drowned out in the din.
Setlist? No complaints here, though a track from Orchid would have rounded out the evening nicely. Three songs from Blackwater was a little excessivewhy not one more Still Lifer?but, then again, why nitpick? We all have our favorites and they cant please every one perfectly.
.
Quick breakdown:
1. Leper Affinity: Powerful opening. How more blown away could we be? The sound mix perfect, the growl deep and menacing, and when we hit the clean vocals yes, Mikael delivers live, all doubts dispelled. No harmonies, but they make up for it with his strong vocal tone and a little reverb.
2. Advent: I loved it. It flowed better than album version IMO. Being a newer fan, Im not quite as enthusiastic about their first couple albums, which are more instrumental and less cohesive in terms of song composition, but this performance was genuinely exciting.
3. Deliverance: Solid version, though I must admit, I thought they might have been a little off here and there. Not that they made mistakes per se, but it might have been a little rushed or uncomfortable, at least compared to an older favorite like Advent, which flowed naturally. Still great though; I just dont think they hit the songs sweet spot. Everyone cheered when the final section came up.
4. Drapery Falls: A little more raw than the polished, produced studio version, but it wasnt missing anything. The crowd cheered some bits, especially the final acoustic vocal hook. Beautiful.
5. Godheads Lament: Yes! One of my highlights. Played to perfection. Sounded as rich as album, even thought the acoustic bits a bit more spare. They hit the sweet spot of this one, to say the least.
6. Credence: Sounded great. What else can you say? Personally, though, its my least favorite clean track. Wouldnt it be great to hear Bid you Farewell with Mikaels latest, much-improved singing voice? And, ultimately, if I were king of the world, they would have played Melinda here.
7. Bleak: The main riff sounded more straight metal and less atmospheric. Its great to hear Blackwater Park songs live, stripped down and played more dynamically (though I love the thick, layered album versions too.)
8. Fair Judgment: Beautiful. At end of song, at the last line, Mikael turns the mic to the crowd to sing the final here. Perfect closing to show. As several times before, all hands in the air.
9. Demons of the Fall: Tore the roof off. The perfect ending. One of the most monstrous death metal pieces ever conceived by humankind.
I must also praise the Palladiums sound; we stood right behind the sound desk. Ive heard plenty of shit sound systems, and shit this was not. And its not just Opeths gear enhancing the sound; I saw Dio there recently and they sounded perfect too, as mighty as a mighty elf could be. The only criticism I would make is that sometimes the leads & solos, especially Peters, were drowned out in the din.
