illbeleavinnow said:
To all who have heeded metalmanCPA's words, read my post above. Maybe I'm just spiteful but I completely don't agree with him.
Err sorry if I come off as a jerk.
Stating an opinion does not make anyone a jerk.
My point is this: Opeth made five "Opeth" albums as defined by their fans. Than came along BWP. That album produced the first wave of criticism, but from my vantagepoint, not so much from the album musically, but from it's increased popularity over their first five albums. This, I am assuming to some people, began the arguement (or fear) of Opeth going mainstream. I have heard all Opeth albums countless times, and I still stand by BWP as their finest work, and The Drapery Falls as the best song ever. Then came Deliverance, and soon to follow Damnation. Three albums in a very short span, especially by artists as gifted as Opeth. Other so-called artists can put out piles of rubbish on an assembly line, but for a band such as Opeth to put out many albums in a short time is a surprise.
I remember reading Lina's comment on how she felt their latest three albums (am I correct Lina?) appeared rushed to her. I don't hear that. I truly believe that Mikael had a pile of ideas in his head, and if he didn't lay down the tracks, maybe they'd get lost. I'm not a music writer, but if I had ideas, I would not wait.
My comment about if the Damnation tracks were spread out means this to me: Damnation is a major change in Opeth, and it came all at once. Regardless of Opeth's warnings, I think it took a lot of people by surprise. Many wondered why should Mikael temper that wonderful death side of his voice? Well, like all Opeth albums, it has taken time for Damnation to bloom. But after seeing them in concert, they just amaze me. What other death/black/whatever metal band could even come close to pulling this off. And if I compared Damnation to other heavy mellow works by other artists who do it for a living, I'd say Damnation would easily hold its own, which is all the more amazing considering what Opeth fans consider true Opeth to be.
I have listened to music all of my life. I have heard countless artists. I have heard nobody that compares to Opeth's overall presentation of music to my ears. They are diverse, heavy, emotionally draining, amazing, talented, and true. As I have heard other opening acts say about Opeth in the previous two concerts I saw them in prior to the Damnation tour - they are the "Almighty Opeth".
Classic.
