Yeah, I usually just lurk around the forums and read, but I decided to add my two cents to this thread.
It's sort of strange, actually. When I first heard Opeth, I wasn't into metal at all. I hated the death metal vox, despised April Ethereal (and the rest of that album) and found Opeth extremely difficult to get into. I just didn't like heavy music then. I've grown to love them all and if I had to pick one, MAYH (ironically..) is at the top of my list.
Before hearing the new album, I was expecting more of the same..I predicted that I wouldn't like the album at first and it'd grow on me like all the others. After all, it is the "heavy" album. The thought crossed my mind that I might..
hate this album for a week or so.
But man..when I first heard this album (I've already pre ordered, so all you music police fascists, back off.
), I was floored.
Is it their heaviest yet? By all means.
But god damn, this album sucked me in the first time I listened to. In fact, I've listened to it seven times in a row.
Amazing? Hell yes.
The sound?
Some of you are saying that Opeth has lost their.."feel" or "beauty." I couldn't disagree more. It's still Opeth.
It really doesn't sound like any of their other albums.
Maybe MAYH, but only because that one was also very heavy.
It's still very diverse, and I'm sure that most of you will be satisified with it. Keep in mind that this is a PROGRESSION. ^^ It's not as huge as the Morningrise-MAYH gap, but it IS a progression. Don't expect Blackwater Park 2.
I really don't know how to accurately describe this album.
Just..
for those of you are still worrying, don't. ^^
Mike and the guys haven't let us down yet, eh?
I dunno, sorry for rambling.
EDIT: By the way, the instrumental is amazing.