Opeth and the number 4

[Brooks]

"Let's play this riff 4 times, and then we'll do the next one 4 times after that!"

"Hey Mike!"

"What?"

"I'm feeling saucy, lets do this one.... EIGHT times!"

"Ok! But the next one is definitely 4."

 

[YaYo]

Well they do throw a few changes in here and there (like really long 'hypnotic' sections, or parts that go 2,3 or 6 times... )

But the important thing to note is the lack of any change between repetitions of riffs during these 4 times (or whatever), in this area opeth are well below average. I think this is worse than the fact that they repeat riffs the standard 4 times (many bands do this, but most of the good ones change things around and make the repetitions have something unique/interesting about them). But really in opeth's music they are expressing themselves through the everchanging sections/styles, thats what carries the 'story', so for many listeners this repetition wont be an issue.

 

[Kushantaiidan]

I would have a to agree.. but on deliverence, I've noticed that though they still repeat riffs 4 times, there is some variation.. ESPECIALLY in lopez's fluidic yet precise drumming...

But i've always wantwed opeth to get out of the Play this 4 times and that 4 times habit...

 

[ham]

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but yeah you're right.

 

[Ermz]

Doesn't bother me too much. I don't see what's so bad about repetition anyway.

 

[Bleakest Harvest]

close this thread, no anti-opeth propaganda allowed!

Just kidding, i agree, but it doesnt really bother me all that much.

 

[Stinkfist]

I've never noticed it. I don't count riffs.

 

[Elysian Blaze]

Four is a nice, safe little number to use. Set your expectations low, kids. So low, that if you fail, no one will notice.

 

[Culture_AK47]

doesn't bother me at all, i'd prefer it was like this.

 

[Heliologue]

you'd prefer maybe they play the same riff all the way through?

 

[Duvall]

Do they use numerology and combat strategies in their music like Morbid Angel?

 

[Prophetix]

I think Opeths perfect the way it is.. What the fuck, they come up with a really awesome riff and you expect them to play it once!?? (10 seconds?!?)
I like them this way, if you dont.. dont listen to them, stop posting stupid threads with stupid ideas

 

[nevershine]

You know what...
...I've never even noticed the 4x in that way. It really doesn't bother me at all. I usually drown in the feeling of the songs and don't think of the technical stuff much when listening to Opeth.

 

[Downfall]

Well, in most cases three is too little and five is too much...

 

[Cerebus]

I don't give a shit as long as it sounds good, and it does sound good so I don't care.

 

[Lethe78]

I have noticed it as well, but I like it. Sometimes they use six and that is cool as well.

 

[Fifth_Horseman]

Okay, I noticed that.

But when there are no vocals over the 4x riff, then usually there's a little variation, like other drumbeats etc.

For example on The Moor and White Cluster. (I just listened to Still Life with that thing in mind)

 

[Lakestream]

or in Dirge for Novembre....what is it? like 24x ?

 

[DogVomit]

I never noticed that, can't say I care though.

 

[Gregsmack]

"The new Opeth album, Deliverance. Brought to you by Opeth and the number four."