Arthur wrote:
Ghost Reveries was the first Opeth album I ever checked out after seeing high praises all over the web. People swear up and down by Opeth like they are THE band. So I said what the hell, and got their newest one, and I gotta say, I was very dissapointed. I'm sure someone will say "hey now you just have to get the old stuff," but regardless Ghost Reveries is a lifeless and boring album, and the fact that such emasculation could win best all around only proves what a fanatical fan base these guys have. Hell, the review on this site was boderline Opeth felatio.
These people have what I generally think of as "First Band Syndrome". What happens is that they are introduced to a genre, say extreme metal, by a band that fits into those genres contraints, but also has traits that anybody who likes music can enjoy, say Opeth. Before going on to explore other bands, they listen to Opeth a ton and it becomes one of their favourite bands, and already in their opinion the best of the genre. Then when they do decide to search deeper into the genre they use Opeth's standards to judge everything else, and since Opeth are not like even other melodic death metal bands they generally think of these bands maybe as "good", but not as awesome as Opeth.
Or something like that I guess...
I suggest you check out Still Life or My Arms, Your Hearse because they are much more energetic, dramatic and emotive than Ghost Reveries.