Opeth's latest effort 'Ghost Reveries' may be a testament to the virtue and gift of musical talent, but to me has much left to be desired in terms of tone.
Opeth and lot of its fanbase may consider this record their most 'sonically superior by far', but I am having a hard time finding so.
Sure, Jens is a mighty mighty co-producer for his age, no doubt about that, but this Fascination Street studio effort just does not cut it for me in terms of sonic ballsiness. There are isues with the Drums, the 'weak' snare in particular and a lesser sonic impact from the guitars.
It is of my own opinion that Opeth's 'best sounding' albums have risen out of Studio Fredman. I'm talking about Blackwater Park in particular.
There has just always been something 'tight' about albums that have been recorded in that Studio. Even with albums such as MAYH and earlier releases by a band such as In Flames where the recording may have sounded 'lo-fi' for whatever reason to some, there is still this certain 'crunch' and 'tightness' that is present.
Then again, I just don't know why I like the Blackwater Park sound the best. Perhaps it is the synergy of Studio Fredman and Steve Wilson? Both absent in this record. Perhaps it was the extra compression/clip on BwP that gave it that ballsy sound?
What do you fine Gentlemen think?
Opeth and lot of its fanbase may consider this record their most 'sonically superior by far', but I am having a hard time finding so.
Sure, Jens is a mighty mighty co-producer for his age, no doubt about that, but this Fascination Street studio effort just does not cut it for me in terms of sonic ballsiness. There are isues with the Drums, the 'weak' snare in particular and a lesser sonic impact from the guitars.
It is of my own opinion that Opeth's 'best sounding' albums have risen out of Studio Fredman. I'm talking about Blackwater Park in particular.
There has just always been something 'tight' about albums that have been recorded in that Studio. Even with albums such as MAYH and earlier releases by a band such as In Flames where the recording may have sounded 'lo-fi' for whatever reason to some, there is still this certain 'crunch' and 'tightness' that is present.
Then again, I just don't know why I like the Blackwater Park sound the best. Perhaps it is the synergy of Studio Fredman and Steve Wilson? Both absent in this record. Perhaps it was the extra compression/clip on BwP that gave it that ballsy sound?
What do you fine Gentlemen think?