Metal Reviews

Nah, nah, no problem. The cover isn't bad per se, but it's perhaps the thousand time I see it. You know, your average creepy eerie nonsensical cover metal bands like to choose.

But who cares about the covers? Only the music is of importance.

/rant.

I just caved in and listened to this myself. It sucks on the level of the Morbid Angel abomination earlier this year. I don't care much for sans metal Opeth regardless, but Damnation was 100 times better than this trash. Damnation had a number of well-written songs (In My Time of Need, Windowpane, Closure, etc), this album has tracks thatfail to develop their ideas and fade in and out haphazardly. Basically the compositions here remind me of the unfinished free-form style of the first two Opeth recordings without any of the excellent melodies, dynamics, and musicianship which made them unique.

A couple tracks, such as "I Feel the Dark, The Lines in My Hand, and Devil's Orchard" at least have moderately interesting dynamics, but the two lengthy centerpieces, "Famine" and "Folklore" are atrocious, and the rest of the album is forgettable. Akerfeldt's ego has run rampant and this is the hideous result, I'd even pine for Ghost Reveries over this.

Awful neo-hippie cover art too, agreed Bruce.

Hah, that post urged me to listen to that. Never been a fan of Opeth's soft stuff though.

I'm enjoying Heritage a lot. Turned up and in a laid-back mood, this is very good indeed - you can't really compare it to the new Morbid Angel in that the 70s prog elements here are not the complete and utter opposite to what the band normally do. There's plenty of soloing and musicianship to these ears, and the 'fade-out' moments seem to fit fine to me, great mixture of minimalism and freak-out proggisms. Plenty of hummable melodies and good songwriting (you didn't even like Slither, Emp?). Words like 'abomination' and 'hideous' seem ridiculous when applied to what I'm hearing.

Slither was ok, forgot that one. Maybe it will do some growing, but I am starting to wonder about you if you like this album that much.

Sure is hyperbole in here.

Heritage is great.

@ EBD - Well, it's probably down to how I've always enjoyed the general sound and style of 70s prog a lot, and Opeth have more than caught that here. Akkers himself has never sounded better, too. Think your opposition is way over the top, to be honest - but I'm quite happy to be wondered about. Flattering!

Because Akerfeldt worshippers will praise anything he releases to the heavens. I'm not sure how you can say this is close to as good as Damnation.

I like 70s prog a lot too, of course. Bah...I guess I shouldn't have said anything until I listened to it a few more times. Famine and Folklore aren't inspiring enthusiasm as album centerpieces.

I wasn't terribly impressed on the first listen, either. But it is growing fast.

As promised to Bruce:

Aaaah....



*facepalm*

Non-Metal but good stuff. On par with his second album Like Drawing Blood Released: 21 May 2006.

Facepalm what?

Nothing, I was just saying earlier that metal bands covers often made my eyes bleed pus.



There. See?

You have a problem with muscular men holding scaly lizards?

I have been unreasonably excited for a month about their October show, and unfortunately, I have about another month.

2011 remastered deluxe edition.