I became a fan in February of this year, and they are the only metal band I have any interest in whatsoever. A friend of mine sent me "The Drapery Falls", and at first, while I truly loved the softer sections, I was put off by the death vocals. But, until that point I'd always wished I could find a metal band where I could enjoy the MUSIC, and not have to put up with some of the other irritating features (vulgar/sick/meaningless lyrics, some kinds of theatrics onstage, etc.). It took me awhile to get accustomed to the growling, but to my absolute shock...I eventually liked it! I went out to buy Blackwater Park...at first I was really unsure of it. I even contemplated trading it in. Then I got introduced to Damnation. THAT completely changed my attitude, once I saw just what a variety of styles they were capable of! So I ended up--the very same week--buying Deliverance and Damnation together (cleaning out my local CD store's Opeth supply in the process!). I ended up falling in love with Damnation. Then, I was lucky enough to find MAYH at another store, which sealed it. The whole story, as well as the sound of it, just touched me (yeah, I know, touched by a metal album...I sound really weird...), and there was NO going back from there! I had to complete the collection. ;-)
I know that's kind of embarrassing considering how much more so many of you guys know, and considering that I'm well out of my usual genre of music...but I figure there's a lot of diversity among Opeth's fans.
