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New Opeth Album Sorceress out September 30th

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Andrew Korenchkin

Andrew Korenchkin

Member
Manu said:
Heritage is like a 7/10 and Pale Communion is a 5/10 imo.

My biggest problem with Pale Communion is that Mikael has seemingly forgotten how to write longer songs, and now he just takes 3 or 4 different ideas and duct tapes them into a song. I miss how the songs used to flow naturally. Heritage had shorter songs in average so it wasn't as bad.

I also think this has been a problem at least since Watershed, but it's at its worst now.
Click to expand...

It's weird you say that, because that has been a criticism of their music since their inception. Nothing wrong with that criticism, I think Opeth has a huge continuity issue in their music, but their atmosphere masks their shortcomings.
 
K

Killer Queen

Banned
Andrew Korenchkin said:
It's weird you say that, because that has been a criticism of their music since their inception. Nothing wrong with that criticism, I think Opeth has a huge continuity issue in their music, but their atmosphere masks their shortcomings.
Click to expand...
I think the weird switches between songs are what make the band so unique and special. I showed my friend bleak a couple months ago and he was pretty shocked at the transition and its moments like that in their music that I love.
 
ThisGuy

ThisGuy

Member
Alright, I'll check 'em out. Tomorrow while driving to work.

Don't steer me wrong gaf. I don't need any more tickets.


Although, why the male peacock for an album title after a woman?
 
Andrew Korenchkin

Andrew Korenchkin

Member
Killer Queen said:
I think the weird switches between songs are what make the band so unique and special. I showed my friend bleak a couple months ago and he was pretty shocked at the transition and its moments like that in their music that I love.
Click to expand...

Oh no doubt, I've never had structure problems in their music, but to be fair the overall mood and atmosphere of their music is so powerful that I feel that I may be missing some lapses in composition. I dunno, it's hard to say, but plenty of other fans have felt that their vision exceeds their composition skills (especially considering that none of the guys know shit about music theory). Regardless, their music has a ton of variety, which also allows for a lot of fun surprises digging into their music.
 
M

Manu

Member
Andrew Korenchkin said:
It's weird you say that, because that has been a criticism of their music since their inception. Nothing wrong with that criticism, I think Opeth has a huge continuity issue in their music, but their atmosphere masks their shortcomings.
Click to expand...

I think it was the case on their really early stuff, but by the time of MAYH they mastered the art of writing long songs. And now they lost it again.

My other big problem with Pale Communion is the lack of memorable guitar riffs. I'm not sure why Mikael seems to think that making an album with a 70s sound means the guitar has to sound like a wet fart, the 70s were pretty much the golden age of the guitar riff.
 
K

Killer Queen

Banned
Andrew Korenchkin said:
Oh no doubt, I've never had structure problems in their music, but to be fair the overall mood and atmosphere of their music is so powerful that I feel that I may be missing some lapses in composition. I dunno, it's hard to say, but plenty of other fans have felt that their vision exceeds their composition skills (especially considering that none of the guys know shit about music theory). Regardless, their music has a ton of variety, which also allows for a lot of fun surprises digging into their music.
Click to expand...
That's a pretty shocking revalation for me considering how complex and odd their music is to play on guitar.
 
T

TheSpaceBetween

Member
Can't wait for this shit. From the previews it sounds like they are continuing down the path that started with Watershed (or perhaps even Damnation). TBH going back to their metallic roots would be regressive in my opinion. Save it for the live shows. They clearly embrace their roots when they play live. It's great to hear Deliverance and Demon of the Fall live along with the newer stuff.
 
Andrew Korenchkin

Andrew Korenchkin

Member
Manu said:
I think it was the case on their really early stuff, but by the time of MAYH they mastered the art of writing long songs. And now they lost it again.

My other big problem with Pale Communion is the lack of memorable guitar riffs. I'm not sure why Mikael seems to think that making an album with a 70s sound means the guitar has to sound like a wet fart, the 70s were pretty much the golden age of the guitar riff.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, I forgot about Orchid and Morningrise, but those albums had amazing atmosphere and among their most acclaimed, especially Morningrise. Orchid's The Apostle in Triumph, and Forest of October seem perfectly constructed to me, though.

Killer Queen said:
That's a pretty shocking revalation for me considering how complex and odd their music is to play on guitar.
Click to expand...

I think some of the guys have some understanding of theory, Akesson I think is pretty well versed. But Mikael may just be his usual humble self when he says he knows jack shit about music theory.
 
M

Manu

Member
Andrew Korenchkin said:
Oh yeah, I forgot about Orchid and Morningrise, but those albums had amazing atmosphere and among their most acclaimed, especially Morningrise. Orchid's The Apostle in Triumph, and Forest of October seem perfectly constructed to me, though.
Click to expand...

I love Morningrise. They still had that early black metal influence they lost later. And DeFarfalla's bass playing was something else.

I've never cared much for Black Rose Immortal though, but it's not hard to see why now that I think about it lol.
 
M

Manu

Member
Bump, because Sorceress (the song) is on Youtube.

I hated the intro but everything else sounds really good, so put me in the "cautiously optimistic" camp after this one.
 
U

Username1198

Member
CopperPuppy said:
I think it's time to take the dive into Opeth's discography that I never found time for...
Click to expand...

How I envy you. I can remember he first time i hear My arms Your hearse. Ducking awesome.

Man I hope this album is a bit heavy, maybe even like ghost reveries or deliverance.

Man this came outta nowhere, so fucking excited.

Heritage was good IMO, I feel the dark is probably one of my favorite songs, love love love the writing.

Ok gonna go pre order this!

Edit; damn it's almost 30$ for the cd on Amazon?? Oh well take all my money opeth.

Also, Any bloodbath fans here lol?
 
SolidSnakeUS

SolidSnakeUS

Member
Username1198 said:
How I envy you. I can remember he first time i hear My arms Your hearse. Ducking awesome.

Man I hope this album is a bit heavy, maybe even like ghost reveries or deliverance.

Man this came outta nowhere, so fucking excited.

Heritage was good IMO, I feel the dark is probably one of my favorite songs, love love love the writing.

Ok gonna go pre order this!
Click to expand...

My first big foray was with Watershed. Goddamn I love that album still. Then I started to listen to Blackwater Park, Ghost Reveries and Still Life. So damn good. I really need to go back to take another crack at Heritage.
 
U

Username1198

Member
SolidSnakeUS said:
My first big foray was with Watershed. Goddamn I love that album still. Then I started to listen to Blackwater Park, Ghost Reveries and Still Life. So damn good. I really need to go back to take another crack at Heritage.
Click to expand...

He first few tracks are phenomenal. Both I feel the dark and the Devils orchard are amazing tracks. Check out there early stuff too, My Arms Your Hearse is amazing.

I know I'm rambling a bit, but this news came outta no where! So excited!

Now I just need a new QOTSA album and some mastodon and I'm good.
 
C

Chained Prometheus

Member
It's kinda odd, I've been listening to Opeth on and off for a good five years or so now but I've only really come to love them recently. My personal favorites are Blackwater Park, Still Life and My Arms Your Hearse, though Ghost Reveries has been really clicking for me too lately.

The new single sounds decent enough. Mikael's clean vocals are the best part of the track imo.
 
SolidSnakeUS

SolidSnakeUS

Member
Username1198 said:
He first few tracks are phenomenal. Both I feel the dark and the Devils orchard are amazing tracks. Check out there early stuff too, My Arms Your Hearse is amazing.

I know I'm rambling a bit, but this news came outta no where! So excited!

Now I just need a new QOTSA album and some mastodon and I'm good.
Click to expand...

I've listened to basically every song they've done so far, and honestly My Arms Your Hearse isn't in my top 3 albums from Opeth.

1. Blackwater Park
2. Still Life
3. Watershed
4. Damnation
5. Ghost Reveries
6. My Arms Your Hearse

I don't know how to rank the others.
 
H

Hulud

Member
Deadstar said:
Haven't listened to Opeth in a while but this seems a lot slower than their old stuff.
Click to expand...

They went fully down the prog rabbit hole when they realized it was pointless to try to top blackwater park. This is actually faster than most songs off their last 2 albums lol
 
J

Jack Scofield

Member
Eh, not a big fan of this song. Too slow and chugging. It doesn't have that melodic virtuosity that attracted me to Opeth in the first place.
 
K

Killer Queen

Banned
I think it's got some odd musical desicions and I'm not entirely digging the guitar tone. BUT I absolutely love the lyrics, visuals and theme. If the other tracks are stronger it could end up being a favorite of mine though so far I don't see it touching their 90's work.
 
F

FirstBlood

Member
That chugging riff is pretty awful.

It's not that bad but there's still no reason to listen to anything other than the first five albums.
 
G

geardo

Member
I loved these guys up until that first prog album - just couldn't get into it. I haven't listened to them in years now.
 
S

Sweeney Tom

Banned
Username1198 said:
How I envy you. I can remember he first time i hear My arms Your hearse. Ducking awesome.

Man I hope this album is a bit heavy, maybe even like ghost reveries or deliverance.

Man this came outta nowhere, so fucking excited.

Heritage was good IMO, I feel the dark is probably one of my favorite songs, love love love the writing.

Ok gonna go pre order this!

Edit; damn it's almost 30$ for the cd on Amazon?? Oh well take all my money opeth.

Also, Any bloodbath fans here lol?
Click to expand...

CD's listed as $16 on US Amazon with vinyl at $30. Vinyl has 2 extra songs

Add me to the group that 1) likes this song and 2) needs to listen to the rest of their discography. All I've heard is Watershed and this, and I love it.
 
G

GringoSuave89

Banned
Heritage really bore me, and Pale Communion, while good, wasn't stellar. Hope this album bucks the trend. I just miss Blackwater Park era...
 
B

bounchfx

Member
Gotta say MAYH was one of my least favorites for a long time and then one day it just clicked with me. I think damnation and blackwater were my favorites at first, then ghost reveries, then watershed, then it became still life, and eventually hearse crept up.

Right now I think still life and mayh are in my top three

Heritage was ok but had zero staying power for me. I listened to pale communion way more but even then I rarely got past the first half of the album. I just really enjoy sun above moon below
 
K

Kuros

Member
Not really feeling it.

Obviously can never be as bad as Pale Communion. But I'm not digging the lack of beefy guitar tones. Wish Steve Wilson was producing.

Blackwater park can never be topped and they shouldn't try to but I just feel it's been a bit meh since Ghost Reveries. I wasn't really a fan of Watershed and I can see why Mikael decided on a change of direction after it.

Will not please all the fanboys on Facebook who want Cookie Monster vocals back. I thought he may have blown his voice after Watershed as the subsequent tour didn't feature any harsh vocals but they have gone back to playing older stuff live so it is just a straight musical choice.

Still one of my favourite bands ever.
 
D

Deadstar

Member
Hulud said:
They went fully down the prog rabbit hole when they realized it was pointless to try to top blackwater park. This is actually faster than most songs off their last 2 albums lol
Click to expand...

Weird. I like blackwater park era but am not a fan of the growls. I wish they kept the same musical style but used all clean singing. This song sounds way too slow and boring.
 
U

Username1198

Member
SolidSnakeUS said:
I've listened to basically every song they've done so far, and honestly My Arms Your Hearse isn't in my top 3 albums from Opeth.

1. Blackwater Park
2. Still Life
3. Watershed
4. Damnation
5. Ghost Reveries
6. My Arms Your Hearse

I don't know how to rank the others.
Click to expand...

I can totally respect that list, and the fact that you even made a list! I cannot rank em lol.

BP was my first opeth album as well, after hearing Harvest on Pandora. I bought the album just based on Harvest, and man I was pretty shocked at how the rest of the album was, especially after hearing The Leper Affinity. But man that album is amazing.

My favorite opeth song is probably Deliverance. That Intro just blows me away every single time I hear it.

And anyone that likes death growls opeth should defiently check out Bloodbbath. Even though mikes no longer the lead singer, all bloodbath albums are awesome, especially Unblessing the Purity.

Just great great stuff.

Edit; just listened to the new single, sounds pretty good. So this album is gonna be like the last two, clean vocals only?
 
sankt-Antonio

sankt-Antonio

Banned
Actually really liked the song, except the very beginning. but I'm someone who also loved the last two records. Them going for are darker, somewhat stoner rockisch guitar sound is a nice change of pace.
 
S

SocksAndShoes

Banned
I wasn't really digging it until the last 2 mins or so, I really liked that ending.

Sounded like a little Melvins influence peeking through there with the downtuned chugging guitar riffs.
 
U

Username1198

Member
bounchfx said:
Gotta say MAYH was one of my least favorites for a long time and then one day it just clicked with me. I think damnation and blackwater were my favorites at first, then ghost reveries, then watershed, then it became still life, and eventually hearse crept up.

Right now I think still life and mayh are in my top three

Heritage was ok but had zero staying power for me. I listened to pale communion way more but even then I rarely got past the first half of the album. I just really enjoy sun above moon below
Click to expand...

April Ethereal followed by When is the winningest combo ever. So amazing. I can't say it enough lol
 
R

RDreamer

Member
Honestly not feeling the song terribly much now. Might be better in context. I know Pale Communion's first single released is kinda like that, too. Didn't do a ton for me alone but works quite well on the album. Still really hyped for anything Opeth does.

Personally I really liked Heritage, especially after seeing it live. Their best concert I've ever seen them in was touring for Heritage. Pale Communion is a fucking prog classic in my opinion.

I just hope Mike can continue to do whatever the fuck he wants. I feel like he's earned it for me. They've put out consistently great music and I love seeing artists I'm a fan of genuinely do what they want.

Also, if we're ranking Opeth albums:

1. Ghost Reveries
2. My Arms Your Hearse
3. Blackwater Park
4. Pale Communion
5. Deliverance
6. Still Life
7. Damnation
8. Watershed
9. Heritage
10. Orchid
11. Morningrise
 
R

RangerX

Banned
The track is decent but the chugging part wasn't that great. I absolutely adored Pale communion so this has a lot to live up to. I'm suprised at the indifference to it here. I thought the album was generally well received. I do wish some of the death growls would come back though.
 
U

Username1198

Member
RangerX said:
The track is decent but the chugging part wasn't that great. I absolutely adored Pale communion so this has a lot to live up to. I'm suprised at the indifference to it here. I thought the album was generally well received. I do wish some of the death growls would come back though.
Click to expand...

Yea, I kinda like the clean vocal songs like Burden, windowpane, my time of need. For me, PC didn't have any songs close to them, imo. Not that is was a bad album, I liked cusp of eternity.
 
O

Oveja Negra

Member
Username1198 said:
Edit; just listened to the new single, sounds pretty good. So this album is gonna be like the last two, clean vocals only?
Click to expand...

AFAIK, nobody knows for sure, but it's a safe bet (clean vocals). Mikael has said in previous interviews he stopped being enamored with growling vocals, also... he is getting old and you can tell when playing live his growling is not as good as it used to be (which was really awesome).
 
K

Kuros

Member
Oveja Negra said:
AFAIK, nobody knows for sure, but it's a safe bet (clean vocals). Mikael has said in previous interviews he stopped being enamored with growling vocals, also... he is getting old and you can tell when playing live his growling is not as good as it used to be (which was really awesome).
Click to expand...

I think he's likely just sparing his vocal chords nowadays when he growls live now. Doing it night after night for 15 years isn't healthy and he could end up ruining his clean singing as well.

Look what happened to Hetfield and he wasn't even a full on cookie monster in his prime.
 
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