Now that Willy's gone, can all the oompas agree on the following

[JayKeeley]

"Clayman" really isn't nearly as bad as you think it is. In fact, as albums go, listening to it in the car, windows down, sun blaring, it's a pretty fine slab of melodic angry pop metal

SPEND SOME QUALITY TIME
WITH THE DEMON OF MINE
I LIKE THE WAY YOU STRUGGLE
BUT YOU KNOW I'M GONNA WIN



RIP Erik. Keep shredding in heaven with Dimebag.

 

[Dark One]

Clayman is one of their best albums bar none and the last one they released that had me still thinking they were the best band on the planet (at the time).

Still not a fan of "Only for the Weak" though. Just never grabbed me, particularly with all the live "hop along" nonsense.

Jason

 

[Necromunchkin]

I put it in the same category as Metallica "Metallica," in that it's an album when I listen to it, I really enjoy it and the songs will get stuck in my head for days. But ultimately, neither album was what I really the respective bands. The fact that four songs from that album are in my primary driving/wandering about the city mix should indicate its staying power, I guess.

 

[Doom]

I specifically remember saying this plenty of times (well maybe once) while Erik was still around. I think I actually prefer Clayman to The Jester Race!

I agree about Only For the Weak though, that song is pretty lame. But the title track, Brush the Dust Away (best track on there), Swim, Suburban Me are all fucking awesome tracks.

 

[Dark One]

I agree about Only For the Weak though, that song is pretty lame. But the title track, Brush the Dust Away (best track on there), Swim, Suburban Me are all fucking awesome tracks.

Agreed - so are Bullet Ride, Square Nothing and Another Day In Quicksand in my book.

 

[J.]

Other than "Swim", I could give mine away and wouldnt miss it. Whoracle has gotten a little better. Other than Moonshield and some other song, Jester Race doesnt do much for me.

Colony is the best from the band. Awesome all the way through. Doesnt sound like pop.

 

[Reign in Acai]

TJR > Colony > Clayman > Whoracle

Still need to purchase Lunar Strain.

 

[Dark One]

Still need to purchase Lunar Strain.

Try to get the Lunar Strain/Subterranean EP combo. The EP is great.

 

[Doom]

Colony is the best from the band. Awesome all the way through. Doesnt sound like pop.

Yes, definite agreement from me. My next favourite is actually the Subterranean EP.

Colony > Subterranean > Lunar Strain > Clayman > TJR > Reroute to Remain > Whoracle > Come Clarity >>>>> Soundtrack to Your Escape (the only one I don't like)

That's a bit of a fucked up order, when you consider the era each disc is from, but whatever, I like them all pretty much (apart from Soundtrack).

 

[JayKeeley]

But the title track, Brush the Dust Away (best track on there), Swim, Suburban Me are all fucking awesome tracks.

Yeah, "clayman" is great - the chorus gets stuck in my head. Interestingly, all those other songs you mention are the last half of the album, no? I should really focus more on the last half -- since it's in my car, I mostly ever only focus on the first half of the album.

 

[Dark One]

I should really focus more on the last half -- since it's in my car, I mostly ever only focus on the first half of the album.

Absolutely - mandatory listening.

 

[General Zod]

Absolutely love "Only for the Weak". I could care less if people hop, skip or do cartwheels while the band plays it.

Zod

 

[dorian gray]

Jester Race is an awesome awesome album

 

[Tranquillian]

Absolutely love "Only for the Weak". I couldn't care less if people hop, skip or do cartwheels while the band plays it.

Zod

Fixed.

 

[MFJ]

Jester Race is an awesome awesome album

it's their best, and the best "melodic" metal album ever made.

there is a tie for my favorite metal album, TJR/Masterpiece of Bitterness

 

[MFJ]

Skydancer is very close to TJR.

 

[cthulufhtagn]

there's a burned copy of "soundtrack" that is on my nightstand at my parent's house and every time i visit i listen to it briefly just to remember how bad it is. it gets worse and worse every visit.

 

[JayKeeley]

Clayman is one of their best albums bar none and the last one they released that had me still thinking they were the best band on the planet (at the time).

Jason - at the peak period for each band, did you prefer In Flames over Opeth?

 

[Dark One]

Jason - at the peak period for each band, did you prefer In Flames over Opeth?

Hmmm...tough question. I'd have to say no, but only by a hair given the pedastol I put Morningrise on. It's really close though. TJR, the EP's, Whoracle, Colony & Clayman had basically as much impact on me as Orchid, Morningrise, MAYH, Still Life & Blackwater Park. It's really a photo finish in a magical time of the discovery of the power of the underground.

Ironically, both bands would go on to have their gold card memberships in the underground revoked by a large portion of their early fanbases, myself included, though In Flames' downfall was much quicker and more pronounced.

 

[dorian gray]

Do Opeth even exist anymore? I mean, I know they have a website and all that but there's one remaining member, who, as recent releases would suggest, is not very into it anymore.