dorian gray said:
meh, on topic, that entire interview has a tone of mike trying too hard to convince himself he didnt do something to alienate his original fanbase. we can argue till we're blue in the face whether or not opeth was underground, when they stopped being underground, blah blah blah, but the fact of the matter is they are now definitely *not* underground. they accomplished this by signing to a large label, going on a shit tour like sounds of the underground, and succumbing to the worst band photos of all time. sadly and annoyingly, growls or no growls, opeth simply arent metal anymore.
Clearly, you don't know what the fuck you're talking about, man. Like you, of all people, are going to know what is running through Mike's mind. Man, I read up on some of Mike's comments regarding the whole "sellout" issue: all I can say is, I can see why he'd be annoyed. All this garbage circulating the net about these so-called Opeth fans is driving me crazy.
Oh, and plus, Opeth's more "un-metal" albums are by far the better albums anyway. I'll plain and simple say this, just as Mike said in the recent revolver magazine issue which he pretty much made reference to: "The metal bands out today pretty much suck." Obviously, not in those exact words, but you get the point.
I myself have been wondering why I couldn't get into bands my buddies are REALLY into (such as In Flames, Arch Enemy, The Haunted, Lamb of God, As I Lay Dying, Chimaira, Shadows Fall, God Forbid, etc, etc - the list just goes on), but then I realized. I really don't like metal that much. I look back and it's actually bands like Anglagard, Camel, King Crimson, The Beatles and Pink Floyd that I'm more into. Opeth, to me, have ALWAYS been different. Even in the days of Morningrise (while more metal), still felt different to me with all the soft, ambient clean passages, etc. They have always been like a metalized Pink Floyd/camel to me. ANd then beginning with Still Life, Opeth have been becoming far greater than they ever were imo. And let's face it, is STill Life REALLY metal??? Hehe, for the most part, no. In fact, all their riffs beginning with STill Life aren't your TYPICAL metal riffs. They are more prog/rock than metal to me. And honestly, to me, this style is more complex, out of the ordinary and simply kick-ass.
Opeth aren't metal anymore?
Good.
Because Ghost Reveries is simply BEYOND metal. It is a fine, classy album that still has some metal elements but is blended with plenty of splendid rock elements that seriously combine to create something special and TRULY memorable. What makes this album truly great, is that it has something here for EVERYONE. Fans that have always been into Opeth will find something they like (Ghost of Perdition and Baying of the Hounds, for example) while others more into the "rockish" style will more likely embrace Atonement, Hours of Wealth or Beneath the Mire (the latter actually being my persobal fave, and I've been an opeth fan for over 5 years.) This is beautiful album with immense variety where not one song on the album sounds the same.
As Opeth continue to progress into their prog influences, I'm seeing them becoming greater and greater as a band. I'm glad they have constructed such a killer album that is far BEYOND what was heard in Deliverance to access a larger audience.
This is the kind of stylish album that will (should!) appeal to anyone that is remotely into "good" music. Not just "metal."
Judging from alot of these "O-peth fans'" statements and ridiculous remarks of the band, I have nothing else to say then the fact maybe Opeth would be BETTER off not having them at all if they can't appreciate the music they are making now.
Fuck, let the band command and enthral an audience as GREAT as their music. After all these years, these guys deserve it. Roadrunner helped this, but at NO EXPENSE of the music.
edit:
Jchappie: Lol dude...I have started with Morningrise about 5 years ago as the first Opeth album I heard. That's the album that got me into them. It was brilliant in any way imaginable. I still Like Still Life the best, but Ghost Reveries is the best album since that one. Here's something for ya: how could someone LOVE Still Life andthen say Ghost Reveries is the weakest link? That's truly, well, beyond me. Ghost Rveries is a masterpiece, plain and simple. It's as close to Still Life as you'll get "with change", as the band is always going to sound different upon each new release as they're known to do by now. The Jazzy atmosphere is intact, the beautiful melodic vocal line of Still Life as well as the acoustic work and great PROG riffs. I mean, c'mon...
edit2: :Wreath: : Fuck, it is good to see people with "sense" on this board. I couldn't possibly agree more with your post up there, man.
Good stuff.
