OK, so I went against my opinion of this band and picked up Ghost Reveries. It's the first Opeth CD I've owned. I've heard a lot of this band in the past, but never a full song. What I've heard has never done anything for me, so I quickly changed it.

I'm wondering if this is a band that I should have actually given a good listen to because Ghost Reveries is pretty fucking awesome!! So, is this album different from their previous work? I can probably assume that their earlier work is heavier, right? This album reminds me a lot of latter day Katatonia with death metal vocals mixed in.

Anyway, basically, please tell me about Opeth. How they sound on previous albums and such. If I like this album, is it likely I will like others?

Thanks,
Ken

[EphelDuath666]

This Album is definitely a bit different than what they've done before. More keyboards, the Death Metal is not as present as on previous records, it's more progressive. But the other releases are awesome as well. Except for the Damnation record, all Albums are more or at least a bit more Death Metalish. But you definitely have to check Still Life and Blackwater Park. Oh well, just download them all and buy what you like

[EphelDuath666]

oh, and to everyone who bought Ghost Reveries already...of course no one would have expected this from RR but RR will release a special edition of this album, I guess in some months. Great isn't it?

Yeah man. The day I went to go get Ghost Reveries, the record store I usually conduct all my metal affairs with had already sold out of it! But the record store across the street happened to have one copy left, so I was fortunate to get it that day. GR=pwnage!

[Blazingmonga]

Yeah man. The day I went to go get Ghost Reveries, the record store I usually conduct all my metal affairs with had already sold out of it! But the record store across the street happened to have one copy left, so I was fortunate to get it that day. GR=pwnage!

It was sold out yesterday in my local HMV...which is surprising for a band like Opeth. It must be doing well! But still, I will have to wait till tomorrow to pick one up.

Blackwater Park is a pretty safe buy....!

I love Ghost Reveries. I cant stop listening to it

Oh, let's see. I bought Damnation first, then Deliverance, then Blackwater Park (which is my favorite), then My Arms, Your Hearse, Orchid, then all the rest at the same time. Still Life is another great one.

I'd say you can't go wrong with Blackwater Park or Damnation. Or Still Life.

Have you guys seen the Grand Conjuration video? what the fuck is up with this

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Opeth/video.aspx

Ok, here's the rundown on Opeth with the exception of Orchid:

Morningrise - by far the most complete Opeth album albeit quite different to the rest. The vocals are more black metal than the death growls that come later and clean while the music utilises the classic dual melodic guitars that were prevalant at the time. The album consists of five songs, none coming in under 10 minutes, and all five are simply superb including my fav all time Opeth track 'The Ghost and the Silent Water'. A must have.

My Arms, Your Hearse - This is the album where Opeth changed styles a little and is more in keeping with what you've heard on Ghost Reveries. The production isn't perfect. In my opinion it's a fraction muffled but the songs are very good, particularly 'April Ethereal', 'When' and the classic 'Demon of the Fall'. A decent album

Still Life - Very similar in sound to MAYH but more consistent in terms of the tracks. Again, a little muffled but not a poor song on there. If I'm asked to list my favourite Opeth albums I tend to change a bit but Morningrise is always first and this is always in my top three. Best tracks are: Godhead's Lament and Moonlapse Vertigo.

Blackwater Park - I love this album. Some never warmed to it but the production is better than the previous two and the bass kicks arse, particularly on my fav two tracks 'The Drapery Falls' and 'Blackwater Park'. Mikael's death growls are at their most fercious and of course there are some moments of pure beauty. Will take a while to warm to but like every Opeth album it's worth the effort.

Deliverance - By far their best production on any album with the exception of Morningrise which simply oozes atmosphere. Very crisp sound although to me the album isn't as consistent all the way through. Deliverance and Master's Apprentices are the standouts. However, if you're an Opeth newcomer this might be a good starting point after Ghost Reveries. Fairly easy to get into.

Damnation - Throw all your expectations out the window. This is an acoustic album with all clean vocals. Very beautiful and an interesting aside to the progressive death they're renowned for. Think folk music with an Opeth touch. It's unmistakable Opeth but if you play it to someone they won't believe you when you tell them they're a death metal band. Standout tracks: Windowpane, To Rid the Disease, Ending Credits.


Anyway, my suggestion to you is to go out and buy ALL these albums even if it sends you broke. Also buy anything else I recommend to you at a later date because I'm always right

[EphelDuath666]

Have you guys seen the Grand Conjuration video? what the fuck is up with this

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Opeth/video.aspx

thanks for the link....that video was cool! I didn't really understand the story but hey, I'm Bavarian after all! It's cool to see Gene behind the kit!

oh, and to everyone who bought Ghost Reveries already...of course no one would have expected this from RR but RR will release a special edition of this album, I guess in some months. Great isn't it?

Shxt!! I didn't even notice it was a RR release!! I vowed a long time ago to never buy the first release! I'm still waiting on the reissue of Trivium's new one, any word on that? Oh well, at least I bought this album for only $8.99.

Ok, here's the rundown on Opeth with the exception of Orchid:

Morningrise - by far the most complete Opeth album albeit quite different to the rest. The vocals are more black metal than the death growls that come later and clean while the music utilises the classic dual melodic guitars that were prevalant at the time. The album consists of five songs, none coming in under 10 minutes, and all five are simply superb including my fav all time Opeth track 'The Ghost and the Silent Water'. A must have.

My Arms, Your Hearse - This is the album where Opeth changed styles a little and is more in keeping with what you've heard on Ghost Reveries. The production isn't perfect. In my opinion it's a fraction muffled but the songs are very good, particularly 'April Ethereal', 'When' and the classic 'Demon of the Fall'. A decent album

Still Life - Very similar in sound to MAYH but more consistent in terms of the tracks. Again, a little muffled but not a poor song on there. If I'm asked to list my favourite Opeth albums I tend to change a bit but Morningrise is always first and this is always in my top three. Best tracks are: Godhead's Lament and Moonlapse Vertigo.

Blackwater Park - I love this album. Some never warmed to it but the production is better than the previous two and the bass kicks arse, particularly on my fav two tracks 'The Drapery Falls' and 'Blackwater Park'. Mikael's death growls are at their most fercious and of course there are some moments of pure beauty. Will take a while to warm to but like every Opeth album it's worth the effort.

Deliverance - By far their best production on any album with the exception of Morningrise which simply oozes atmosphere. Very crisp sound although to me the album isn't as consistent all the way through. Deliverance and Master's Apprentices are the standouts. However, if you're an Opeth newcomer this might be a good starting point after Ghost Reveries. Fairly easy to get into.

Damnation - Throw all your expectations out the window. This is an acoustic album with all clean vocals. Very beautiful and an interesting aside to the progressive death they're renowned for. Think folk music with an Opeth touch. It's unmistakable Opeth but if you play it to someone they won't believe you when you tell them they're a death metal band. Standout tracks: Windowpane, To Rid the Disease, Ending Credits.


Anyway, my suggestion to you is to go out and buy ALL these albums even if it sends you broke. Also buy anything else I recommend to you at a later date because I'm always right

Awesome! Thanks, dude! Honestly, Damnation was the one album by Opeth that I planned on buying before. I knew it was acoustic and figured I'd like it, I'm not a huge fan of bands with death metal vocals, but I can really dig them if the music and songwriting kicks ass. Then I love the death metal vocals. I'm definitely interested in this band now. I'll have to download some tracks and go from there!! =)

[Blazingmonga]

Always good to see somebody getting into Opeth for the first time!

Damnation is a really beautiful album. The songs are still definately Opeth, just slightly more chilled out.

I am just running off to the shops to try and get Ghost Reveries again today...they better not be sold out!

Have you guys seen the Grand Conjuration video? what the fuck is up with this

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Opeth/video.aspx

thanks for the link....that video was cool! I didn't really understand the story but hey, I'm Bavarian after all! It's cool to see Gene behind the kit!

Whats up with the cheese melter/angry muscleman with a mask dude? A definite WTFBBQ moment. I personally don't like the videos with a "story" and doesn't exactly suit Opeth. Didn't even realise it was gene behind the kit, seems everyones so embarrased by the video they refuse to show their faces