I think that the mixed responses everyone gives is something that makes Opeth, Opeth. Everyone thought and hoped it was going to be an atmospheric, twisted return to the old BM-influenced Opeth and they get something so diverse that comes from Mikael himself - I think that's what I like about it, because I can almost read his mind with the songs. Sure, it's not a Blackwater Park or a Still Life. That's why we have those albums, to show the pathway that leads to each record. I've had time to digest it and of course, thought it was so fucking awesome to be listening to fucking Watershed. People just become blindsided with the status of how a band that has risen to this peak works, adding the factors of Peter's departure and Axe's fill-in. I don't care what anybody says - Akesson brought spice to this record, and generally adds to the 'how the fuck did they do that' feeling. Alot of times people in bands will say they make the music for their enjoyment and it's not always for the fans, though most bands tend to lean towards the pleasing the masses approach - like I stated above, with Watershed, it's a bit of a collective example of your creativity. That's what makes it so cool to me.
Mikael, if you read this at all; I find it so incredibly generous to have a direct response coming from the one behind it all - not forgetting the rest of the team, as one of my favorite past-times while enjoying any Opeth song is to pick apart the different parts each person plays - because I feel I'm closer to Opeth than someone who just listens to them. It's something I think everyone on this forum should feel grateful for.
