Ok, I've listened this new album enough times to say this has to be the first one where I've been pretty close to feel disappointed.
At the end, it's a good album, but that's it: good (with no extra positive comments).
Overall, I like some acoustic mellow parts here and there, some vocals here and there and some riffs here and there, but none of the songs, not a single one really stand on its own, sadly.
The weird thing for me was that I didn't care that much for Will O the Wisp when it was released as a promo, but know it's maybe my fav track, and Sorceress, which I really loved it, know has faded and I consider it just ok. The chugga chugga riff that almost everyone hated, well I liked it at first, now I hate it too. You guys were right, it's awful, something you would expect from a novice guitar player that it's trying to sound badass and failing miserably at it. What in the hell Akerfeldt and the rest were thinking when they decided to keep it? I don't have a single clue. Opeth is capable of something much much better.
So... considering Opeth post growl era, for me Heritage is by a huge margin their best album, hell... Heritage is among my top 3 ever. I know most fans don't like it, but I'm sure when Opeth stops existing as a band, when looking at their entire catalog, Heritage will be praised as a monumental creative effort.
Pale Communion is pretty damn good with that perfect blend of mellow yet sinister melodies.
Sorceress in the other hand will be looked at like an uninspired album. A really weak effort, sadly.
You know what? yeah... I'm disappointed at this.