Per Joining Full Time?

Draehl

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May 31, 2004
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I heard he's probably going to be joining full time. Sounds very cool but I'm wondering how this might affect Opeth's music. With a fulltime keyboardist they will need to have keys in most every new song they make. IMO this could be a bad thing as the keys have been great so far as an extra but if they start being part of the whole Opeth sound I'm not so sure how good it will be. Especially in a song that would sound fine without keys they would likely put keys in anyway just so one of their members doesnt stand there doing nothing.

Thoughts?
 
Even if keys do become a part of most songs, I really don't think we have to worry about Per putting things in that will be out of context. A synth can make some pretty brutal noises too, as well as the gentler sounds. I can even see Per accompanying Méndez to strengthen the bassline in some of the heaviest sections of the music. And I'm sure, like any of them, he'll know when it's appropriate to sit out...I mean, even with four members they don't always all play at once no matter what. I don't see why that would change with a fifth.
 
my only concern: using the keys only when neccessary, not in EVERY song, as said above. it could sound great in quite a few songs, but, i hope the new material doesn't turn out to be saturated in it, ya know?
 
Per isn't the best keybaordist in the world and his backing vocals are shit

>>
mike isnt the best guitarist in the world, as well as peter. mendez isnt the best bass player around. lopez isnt....

where's your point?
 
I have been totlly for Per joining ever since I heard him play keys on April Ethereal in Sydney. He just totally fills out their sound in areas I didnt know they were lacking :D
 
Opeth needs the keys at this point. Per is the man for the job. Anyone better than him would have the ego which WOULD saturate the music...i think Mikael has made a good choice in having Per be the keyboardist.
 
Yeah, I can't wait, I have this Damnation show bootleg, and right before Mike comes on and starts playing Benighted, Per is kinda doing this evil wanking kind of riff on his keys (in a good way), and the atmosphere totally doesn't seem right for Benighted, but once you hear those first few notes, it's a million times better than hearing it on the album. It creates a very beautiful change.
 
koolboee cdmo87 said:
Per adds more flavor to already awesome songs. I'm glad he's around.

[KOTNO]Narrot said:
creative input is the best thing that can happen to opeth in these times...

deliverance said:
my only concern: using the keys only when neccessary, not in EVERY song, as said above. it could sound great in quite a few songs, but, i hope the new material doesn't turn out to be saturated in it, ya know?

Land Of Grey And Pink said:
Opeth needs the keys at this point. Per is the man for the job. Anyone better than him would have the ego which WOULD saturate the music...i think Mikael has made a good choice in having Per be the keyboardist.

These guys said it all.
 
I don't think Opeth needs a keyboardist, but we can't judge this situation at all until they've recorded one album with a fulltime keyboardist and we have seen the results. Mikael wouldn't have Per as a full member if his input wasn't needed, and Mike said Per is a good songwriter too, so who knows what else he might bring to the table? Maybe a change IS what Opeth needs...
 
KevyCanavan said:
Fuck, i really hope this isn't going to happen. apart from any of the above arguements, Per isn't the best keybaordist in the world and his backing vocals are shit.
Miracles can be made in the studio. Also, improvement can be made over time so that bodes well for Per's live performances to come.
 
Katatonic said:
I have been totlly for Per joining ever since I heard him play keys on April Ethereal in Sydney. He just totally fills out their sound in areas I didnt know they were lacking :D

Indeed, I most definitely agree with you here on that point. Per Wiberg's contributions to the live performance of ''April Ethereal'' were excellent.
 
7 albums of 95% guitar driven music...for a progressive band to actually progress...they need a new element.

>> my point. but i hope he's keeping it to the mellotron or piano sound. i am not that much into keyboards that sound actually like keyboards. it would be killer if he played a real piano...i love the sound of it!
 
Keyboards/synthesizers sound fucking shite, that's a fact (to me anyway). Piano is fine, but not on every song - I hope he doesn't join full time, Opeth are fine the way they are.