Love it or Hate it, go stream Opeth's new album for free

[Super Mahrio]

I have a feeling it's going to be like their Damnation tour, where the only old songs they play are the non-metal ones.

Yeah probably. The reason i wanted to see them is because they are playing with Katatonia. Im not going though. My friend who was gonna go with me has to work that day. But im pretty sure we wouldnt hear Demon Of The Fall anyway.

 

[EricT]

I was contemplating going out to their show next month to give them another chance, but then I heard this album. I like a lot of prog-rock... but I found nothing here that hadn't been explored before or hadn't been done better 20-30 years ago (or even in the past 5 years).

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

That's what I'm worried about. I don't want to go to this show and hear this damn new album.

 

[Pitiless Wanderer]

Why listen to Opeth when you can listen to Primordial and/or Anathema?
Anyway, my curiosity will probably get the best of me and I´ll download the album to hear how it compares to their other stuff, but my expectations are even lower for it than a certain infamous album released this year which has a title in latin and is made by one of the most beloved death metal bands of all times

Primordial is god awful.

 

[Brooks]

I bought the only vinyl copy Amoeba had in the store, then stopped for a drink with a buddy, thinking I'd get a little buzz on before going home and cranking it.

One Racer 5 turned into two Racer 5's, two Lagunitas IPAs, a Whiskey ginger, and a Blind Pig, and I came home wasted and passed out on the living room couch after eating a peanut butter sandwich.

I regret nothing!

Will throw Heritage on the turntable later today.

 

[buzz21]

This one takes a few listens to start to really get into it.....I laid on the couch in the dark with a mellow buzz and it was an interesting journey. I don't think it holds up to the clean stuff they did on "Damnation" but there are some good moments on the disc....it has a jazz feel and some neat riffs, but there are too many slow meandering moments. I think they could have played the music with a heavier tone (less front pickup please!) and had Mikael sing in a normal voice and it would have come out better....just because he doesn't want to growl doesn't mean these songs couldn't have been given the heavy treatment.

 

[Dreadful]

Why listen to Opeth when you can listen to Primordial and/or Anathema?

Maybe it's because we like Opeth as well? Primordial is ok...but most of the time they're fucking boring and it's all shit that has been done before. Opeth's first 6 records...those are well written classics. Anathema is a terrific band and I've chosen over Opeth many times but Primordial...I'd like to see what they'd sound like if Opeth never existed.

 

[Brooks]

Finally finished my review of the record.

Read it here: Opeth - Watershed (2011) at DOWNPICK.com

 

[buzz21]

The new video for "Devil's Orchard" is pretty damn cool - lots of trippy effects for those who may be suitably chemicalized!

My buddy described this new stuff to me in the perfect way - this is just one of the many moods of Opeth. When I want my death metal mood, I will listen to Still Life or Blackwater Park, when I want to chill with a buzz and mellow out, I can break out Damnation or Heritage - this is one flavor in an array of many that Opeth offers....if you don't like this one and want to taste another flavor, then feel free to do so. On the first few listens I was still feeling my way around and I was stuck on wanting to hear "Serenity Painted Death" part 2, and now after 10+ listens, I have a different appreciation for this flavor.

 

[Brooks]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtxG4LayLgY&feature=player_embedded[/ame]

 

[theoden236]

just saw that vid. kinda like james bond-meets hitchcock. silly, but sort of fits the song

 

[Dreadful]

cool review Brooks.

I love this record for the fact that it's different. It's different in that it's almost fully a 70's prog record...or a tribute one. It's a different record to add to Opeth's 10 albums, which all have their own identity. But it could be better. That's where I downvote it because there isn't one song where you're like "wow....that was just so good, omg." Plus, I feel metalheads get alot of bad vibes just for wanting another metal Opeth record but lets face it...Opeth fucking owned when they played their trademark brand of metal and acoustic guitars. Their metal had great harmony, good melodies and an original rock sound to it. Maybe they'll return to it one day...though I completely understand Mikael's stance right now on writing metal. All the while it still is great to see Opeth making different records still, than the same thing.

 

[Chromatose]

I think it's pretty funny that Steven Wilson's new solo album is "inspired by 70s prog and features jazz musicians"

Hmmm sounds familiar.

 

[Super Mahrio]

Brooks, great review and basically how i feel about it as well.

 

[Brooks]

Thanks!

It's definitely growing on me with repeated listens, but I still think the record is a little too much style over not quite enough substance.

 

[Talking Backwards]

But then again, even great prog is mostly forgettable.

So true.