They would sound so much better. But then again I'm not a big fan of the old old stuff.
Great topic which really makes me wanna reply, so hope you dont mind a lengthy reply.
Somehow i dont get the whole "bad production" notion at all, i firmly believe that, even with a band with such sound that hi-fi production is almost needed to fully accomplish it, it still comes down to songwriting ideas and artist's belief in what he does. Therefore, i am not only enthralled by unrestrained, wild, "pure genius" spirit of two early records, but i also think Mike (as the band's key songwriter) will never regain the youthful enthusiasm that made those oft rush-recorded performances so special. To me the best songs from those albums hold equally important place as more recent Opeth classics, and i listen to them regularly, fully enjoying the rudimentary production. In mist she was standing stands as a sort of personal myth for me, and Advent might easily be my all-time favourite Opeth composition. And INDEED, it is a composition, nothing like general songwriting, that music sounds so ahead of time, no verse, no chorus, no plan (of course seemingly), no theme, no main riff, no repetition, just a streak of whimsy, arbitrary, mind blowing ideas, one after another, fucking insane, just to think that a boy of 20+ could come up with such ideas, crazy!!!.
Of course, Opeth went on, with new members and different sound, Mikael's writing matured, condensed, "improved", got more subtle, production (especially on albums with Steven Wilson and onwards) allowed him to make layers, multiple overdubs, effects, get new colours and shades... Also acoustic sounds are more tightly woven, Mike's fully mastered growling vocals technique (and the early records often verge on screaming, dont they?), clean vocals got more important role perhaps... Yet, many of the elements that define Opeth's musical language were put forth on those to me seminal early recordings. Moreover, this delirious, euphoric, and also brave attitude is something one can only have, in an authentic way, in his early twenties (imo), and that attitude is so well captured on Orchid and Morningrise.
I think live renditions of those old compositions should be warmly welcome by any fan, but least because they may feature "better production". Unfortunately though, the band didnt tour too much in those early stages, so live performances of some O/MR songs are scarce at best. I so wish i could at least have full version of this performance which unfortunately gets cut just as the last part begins... Performing these songs nowadays would be awesome, but i somehow crave for early, "pre-mature" performances more than anything.
BUT. The question is - should O/MR get rehashed in a modern studio? IMO no, not at all. It wouldnt be it, it would be like redoing Kill'em all, i reckon it would sound cold, old and frold . And old recordings on contrary do not sound dated at all to me, they sound precocious and fresh, warts and all... I for one cant even understand what could one complain about when it comes to O/MR sound. It should have been that way. Orchid was recorded in 12 days i think, did you know that? It seems way too short a time to cut an Opeth record, but in retrospect i think that pressure factor was important and complemented the explosive temperament of those albums...
Great topic which really makes me wanna reply, so hope you dont mind a lengthy reply.
Somehow i dont get the whole "bad production" notion at all, i firmly believe that, even with a band with such sound that hi-fi production is almost needed to fully accomplish it, it still comes down to songwriting ideas and artist's belief in what he does. Therefore, i am not only enthralled by unrestrained, wild, "pure genius" spirit of two early records, but i also think Mike (as the band's key songwriter) will never regain the youthful enthusiasm that made those oft rush-recorded performances so special. To me the best songs from those albums hold equally important place as more recent Opeth classics, and i listen to them regularly, fully enjoying the rudimentary production. In mist she was standing stands as a sort of personal myth for me, and Advent might easily be my all-time favourite Opeth composition. And INDEED, it is a composition, nothing like general songwriting, that music sounds so ahead of time, no verse, no chorus, no plan (of course seemingly), no theme, no main riff, no repetition, just a streak of whimsy, arbitrary, mind blowing ideas, one after another, fucking insane, just to think that a boy of 20+ could come up with such ideas, crazy!!!.
Of course, Opeth went on, with new members and different sound, Mikael's writing matured, condensed, "improved", got more subtle, production (especially on albums with Steven Wilson and onwards) allowed him to make layers, multiple overdubs, effects, get new colours and shades... Also acoustic sounds are more tightly woven, Mike's fully mastered growling vocals technique (and the early records often verge on screaming, dont they?), clean vocals got more important role perhaps... Yet, many of the elements that define Opeth's musical language were put forth on those to me seminal early recordings. Moreover, this delirious, euphoric, and also brave attitude is something one can only have, in an authentic way, in his early twenties (imo), and that attitude is so well captured on Orchid and Morningrise.
I think live renditions of those old compositions should be warmly welcome by any fan, but least because they may feature "better production". Unfortunately though, the band didnt tour too much in those early stages, so live performances of some O/MR songs are scarce at best. I so wish i could at least have full version of this performance which unfortunately gets cut just as the last part begins... Performing these songs nowadays would be awesome, but i somehow crave for early, "pre-mature" performances more than anything.
BUT. The question is - should O/MR get rehashed in a modern studio? IMO no, not at all. It wouldnt be it, it would be like redoing Kill'em all, i reckon it would sound cold, old and frold . And old recordings on contrary do not sound dated at all to me, they sound precocious and fresh, warts and all... I for one cant even understand what could one complain about when it comes to O/MR sound. It should have been that way. Orchid was recorded in 12 days i think, did you know that? It seems way too short a time to cut an Opeth record, but in retrospect i think that pressure factor was important and complemented the explosive temperament of those albums...
recording them again with modern opeth production would just ruin the whole atmosphere of Orchid and Morningrise imo.
how the song would sound if opeth record it these days. with fredrik, per, axe
hello again!
so ... i listened to "the twillight is my robe" a few minutes ago, and i asked [...]
When Mikael screamed, it lit your heart alight with fire and cooled them with the overwhelming calm of Peter's guitars and Lopez's drum beats.