Opeth - Ghost Reveries

[walkinbazooka]

Well, we all know that Opeth have released some AMAZING stuff. And I do agree that this is not their best album. However, I was very impressed with this album. Sure they went in a different direction; musically and slightly with the lyrics. But it is undeniably a solid album.

With the exception of The Grand Conjuration all of the songs fit and are entertaining. (don't get me wrong I like TGC, I just think it isn't fitting and lacks textural variety). but some people need to stop saying 'Oh it's no BWP or Orchid.' because, of course it isn't going to be BWP or Orchid...IT'S A BAND THAT CHANGES AND MATURES.

They couldn't keep putting out those albums forever and that's not necessarilly a bad thing.

/end rant.

 

[Edias]

I picked up this album, finally, and I'm impressed with it. In a lot of ways, I think this is better than Black Water Park. It's not needlessly dark/dreary while still packing a punch and it is very well played. I can see myself listening to this, often, for some time to come.

9.5/10

(the -.5 comes from the fact that they don't explore much outside of their treaded path, not that that is too much of a bad thing; they are the ones who started it in the first place)

 

[biggsy]

(the -.5 comes from the fact that they don't explore much outside of their treaded path, not that that is too much of a bad thing; they are the ones who started it in the first place)

Listen to Deliverance or Blackwater Park followed by Ghost Reveries (listen properly, not distracted) and you'll change that opinion. The growls have been drastically reduced, the sound is overall more progressive rock-ish and the keys add a completely new dimension to the music. Add to that the clear cut production (something I don't really like but that's personal preference) and countless other factors, and you realise this is the biggest step in a new direction since My Arms, your Hearse.

 

[camo_barker]

was it this album that they officially had the keys lad in

 

[Edias]

Yes, from my understanding.

 

[camo_barker]

Ahhh i see...i reckon they use the keys pretty well...somtimes bands can overuse them and they loose their impact...but Opeth do a good job.

 

[beast from the east]

I have to agree with the "naysayers" on GR. Although I am a full blown Opeth fanatic, I was somewhat disappointed in this album. I found myself not really getting into the heavy songs on this album, with the exception of Ghost of Perdition and parts of Harlequin Forest (The Grand Conjuration is one of my LEAST favorite Opeth songs). The prog stuff is all pretty great, IMO (especially Atonement - the best song on the album).

This album has all the Opeth elements I have come to love so much, but it's lacking something...I really can't pinpoint it. I listen to Orchid, Still Life, BWP and Deliverance on a regular basis...but GR doesn't get much play. Anyway, it's OK, because as someone pointed out, Mike likes bands that experiment, so maybe he just missed the mark here. With that said, I am eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the Opeth saga!!!

 

[Sabin Frost]

Soldier of Fortune, the Deep Purple cover is utterly amasing and really all of the softer elements of the album are right up there with the bands best.

Reverie/Harlequin Forest is actually up there with one of my favourite Opeth songs but I was not a fan of The Grand Conjuration at all. Still, I think way too many people are too harsh on the album, sure they went for more shorter tracks (still not short mind you) but they didn't let themselves down in doing so.

 

[MasterT44]

Was it really the best idea to have an Opeth fan review an Opeth album? I don't mean to sound like an asshole (although I probably will); biased...

 

[Nichrome]

I thought it was the best Opeth album in years. After the drivel that was D&D and the painfully mediocre Blackwater Park, this album fucking kicks some ass. Mikeal back to his best.

 

[TylerTheNuke]

I miss the "coldness" of their previous efforts, and I do agree that the writing is much more predictable. However, I still enjoyed this album a lot since it is very intellegent and it is very creative with the whole chugging motif, and explores a lot of directions. So, I'm saying it has less heart and isn't as earnest, but I like it for reasons other then heart and earnestness.

 

[slayerized_metalhead]

The first time i listened to this album, it didn't really apeal to me, but i've been listenin to it quite a bit lately and its really growing on me. some of the songs such as baying of the hounds, and ghost of peridition are pure brilliance IMO. I think its definately one of mikael's best vocal performances (both growling and clean vocals) and i think lopez's drumming is definatley at its finest on this album. Well done Opeth!!!

 

[harvestofsorrows]

well done to opeth on this one.. not their best but definatly up there.

 

[Violens]

Probably, in this moment, my favourite album of Opeth

 

[combustion07]

The worst opeth album in my opinion.3/5.

 

[HoursOfDebt]

oops....

 

[HoursOfDebt]

The worst opeth album in my opinion.3/5.

really? I though GR was an amazing album. what album do you think is their worst besides this one?

 

[livingparadox]

Hmmmmm... GR is alright, but does not rank as highly as their first 5 albums. Opeth started to repeat themselves quite some time ago already, and sorry to say, but I started losing interest from the Deliverance and Damnation albums. GR is better that either of them, but I feel that they will not be able to match the sheer brilliance that they had on Orchid, Morningrise, My Arms, Still Life and Blackwater Park. Sorry, just my two cents worth.

 

[Power Plant records]

Saw Opeth at Gigantour with Megadeth. Amazing Talent. I love the video where they talk about how they write songs and how they use "Drama" chords. So funny.

 

[TheMick]

Ghost Reveries fukn rules. There shouldn't even be a debate. More varied than any of their other albums IMO. My singer and I jam this a lot on our 1 hour trip to the studio completing our recent album. Lopez delivered pure gold on drums. Cool very un-death metal like riffs, keyboards make it so atmospheric.