Opeth- Damnation (1 Viewer)

[Mike Broadman]

Fellow Opeth fans, what are your impression of the new disk?

I knew that they were going to concentrate on their mellow side, so I was prepared for the shock, but it's still daunting.

My overall impression is that I like it a lot, but I don't want it to replace the classic Opeth sound. It looks like this is a one-off thing and will stand as a unique and fascinating entry in Opeth's discography. When couple with its companion album, Deliverance, the two complement each other really well. I think they wanted to release them together as a double album, and I think that would have been better.

The songs themselves are quite strong. Windowpane and In My Time of Need start the album with two powerful, haunting and spacey songs. The lyrics are typically vague and deal with ideas rather than concrete stories or subjects. Closure is really interesting. The end of the album is this weird Pink Floyd type deal.

Opeth's gentle side is felt more strongly in the context of their heavier material, when the two interwine and go back and forth. Because of this, Still Life and Blackwater Park remain my favorite albums of theirs, but Deliverance and Damnation are excellent works.

I can't wait to see them on the 15th.

NP: Pearl Jam, Binaural

 

[Thomas_Berg]

this is the only album i've ever heard by Opeth (i'm actually listening to it right now). it was recommended to me by a friend, and i LOVE it. hearing such raw talent and concentration from a band i'd never heard of is a pleasant surprise.

i am in utter awe of how good this disc is, and i look forward to hearing more stuff from their earlier albums. this is an EXCELLENT disc!

 

[Mike Broadman]

Thomas,
Interesting to hear the opinion of someone for whom Damnation is their first Opeth album. I'm glad you like it.

Before hearing more of their material, I hope you do like really heavy music and don't mind the "death metal" vocal style (aka, Cookie Monster vocals). They do it really well, but some people absolutely can't take that sort of thing.

 

[Rob M.]

I'm one that can't take the death metal vocal. I've tried, and I can't deny that Opeth are very good at what they do, but those vocals make my skin crawl.

I have Damnation, though, and it is excellent.

NP: Evanescence Origin

 

[Mike Broadman]

Rob, I used to feel the same way. I still need to get used to them. The only 3 bands I listen to now that do that are Opeth, Death, and Pantera.

Excellent sig, btw. It's one of my favorite lyrics and what that I have singing in my head all the time.

 

[Thomas_Berg]

i'm usually very strongly *against* bands with death screaming vocals since they are usually dumb and have no talent whatsoever. however, i'll give Opeth a shot. if they are anything like Tool (hard rock, but very poetic in nature) i'll love them!

 

[Mike Broadman]

Thomas, I'm also a huge fan of Tool, FWIW.

Lyrically, Opeth does sing about death sometimes, but it's with melancholy and sometimes even part of some sort of concept. It's not glorified in any way like many heavy bands do. Not that I mind the way it's done in other bands at all, but I can see how some wouldn't like it.

I generally ignore metal lyrics (Tool is an exception). Opeth's aren't particularly great thematically, but they fit the music perfectly. Kind of like Yes, in that sense.

I just listened to Still Life and I think that's the perfect album to start with. Every moment is absolutely perfect. I'm torn between this and Blackwater Park as my favorite Opeth album.