I fell away from metal for a few years.
With a few exceptions (Deftones) I pretty much hated nu-metal - so ended up exploring electronica (Boards of Canada), trip-hop (Air), rap (Biggie) and other scenes.
My first experience with the cookie monster growls was seeing Arch Enemy in 2005 or so. Absolutely fucking rocked my socks off!
So started delving around looking for similar bands.
Found Lamb of God and literally lost 6 months of my life soaking up their sounds.
That got me curious about other bands, so I think it was this article I found that introduced me to Opeth...
http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/top_bestof2005.htm
Downloaded Ghost Reveries. It sat on my IPod for a while, and I will say it took weeks (maybe months) before I really started to appreciate it.
After that, it was all over but the crying.
They ARE my favorite band. And with a catalogue this deep and rich, I expect them to be my favorite band for a long time to come...
Must say it's a lonely existence being a 'Peth fanatic though....
When you're 39 and work as a consultant for a telecom, better fuckin' BELIEVE nobody ever heard of Opeth - or wanted to, for that matter!