Notable new releases yet to come?
- Thread starter MadeInNewJersey
- Start date
Dark One
The Tainted Dogma
It is indeed high quality upon first listen. Seems like it will surprise a lot of people. It's actually not the direction I was hoping for, but it's still making a believer out of me again. No one can possibly accuse Opeth of "going through the motions" on this one. First time in awhile I can confidently say that.
Reign in Acai
Of Elephant and Man
Dark One
The Tainted Dogma
I like it, but don't love it. The title track is awesome, but I've heard it so much and it's so simplistic that it's grown tiresome. It's an uneven album that contains some filler, some killer. My favorite is the last track "By the Pain I see in Others", it's easily the most interesting track on there.
Krilons Resa
Jerry's married?!
Ellestin
one-click buy
It's on pars with Blackwater Park but stylistically not quite from the same mould aside from the old Opethian reflex arrangements. Also both have the word "water" in the title IMO.
Watershed is quite an ambitious affair and certainly deserves to be tagged progressive. While I fear in the long run it will never compare to the Orchid-My Arms... line in terms of sheer goodness, it might be the starting point of a great new cycle.
MajestikMøøse
Membrum virile
Dark One
The Tainted Dogma
Ok, I'm enjoying Watershed more with every listen. While they haven't drastically changed their base sound save for the increased emphasis on keyboards, better songwriting has made all the difference. The songs just have a freshness to them that has been lacking for years. No continuation of a formulaic style, nor has there been any attempt to become more radio friendly, which I'm sure some folks were expecting. Save for "Heir Apparent", it's not nearly as "ok, the gloves are off, let's kick some ass" as I was hoping for, but it's easily their most interesting release since Still Life.
I'm not usually much of an artsy kind of guy, but this is a painting that's grabbed my attention; and much to my surprise, I can see myself still listening to this after the newness has worn off.
The Dogma is still Tainted.
Jason
I'm not usually much of an artsy kind of guy, but this is a painting that's grabbed my attention; and much to my surprise, I can see myself still listening to this after the newness has worn off.
The Dogma is still Tainted.
Jason
EricT
Don't you ever get...
It's a huge surprise that the band released something this fresh sounding to me. I really dig this album.
dorian gray
Returning videotapes
- Apr 8, 2004
- 21,258
- 489
- 83
How can I trust this band after the disaster that was Ghost Reveries?
Anyway, I'm driving some 500 miles to see them in May.
Well, them and Dream Theater and 3.
Anyway, I'm driving some 500 miles to see them in May.
Well, them and Dream Theater and 3.
EricT
Don't you ever get...
dorian gray
Returning videotapes
- Apr 8, 2004
- 21,258
- 489
- 83
Krigloch the Furious
Pants full of poo
WhiteBeastofWotan
Apostitutes!
General Zod
Ruler of Australia
I often feel that Blackwater Park's greatest sin was having the misfortune of following Still Life. While I agree with your overall assessment of Watershed, I can't help but feel that if we swapped the release dates of Blackwater Park and Watershed, that people would be gushing over Blackwater Park.
Zod
Ellestin
one-click buy
Fairly disappointing IMO, the harsh battle-raging stuff has worn away a lot and been replaced by endlessly frustrating speed metal solos. The style is recognizable from a distance and there are still mightily enjoyable runs but as a whole, this is much too happy-sounding to grab me for more than a couple minutes. It is just too obvious and does not compare at all to Auka Semiems Dievams
Dark One
The Tainted Dogma
I think in terms of you and I and a few folks around here, that assessment may hold true. However, in a general sense, people were indeed gushing all over Blackwater Park when it came out. That was their "breakthrough" release if you will. The dawn of the rabid fanboyism era as it pertains to Opeth came about shortly after its release. I remember seeing posts everywhere about it ad naseum to the point where it started to turn off many older fans (or at least those who were still yearning for a return to the style displayed on the first two albums).
Now, in terms of myself, I tried to figure out what my reaction would be if Blackwater Park was the album released this year in lieu of Watershed. Tough call, because Blackwater Park stacks up so well against Deliverance, Damnation & Ghost Reveries. At the time of it's release, it only stacked up against the first four albums, so it lessened the impact of it for me personally at the time. I suppose I'd gush over it moreso now than back in 2001; but even though there are some immediate winners on Blackwater Park, Watershed still comes across as the more interesting of the two.
Jason
General Zod
Ruler of Australia
Exactly. I'd say Blackwater Park is easily their best post-Still Life disc. Granted, Watershed could grow more impressive with time. However, it's also possible it could go the other way as well.
Zod
