Blackwater Park Review/Samples (Samples at bottom of the page!) Looking back on my previous favourite album, Tool's 'Lateralus', it is pale in comparison to this album. What Opeth has done here is unparalleled. With their usual style of Death metal, progressive rock, and acoustic rock, their 8-song opus is the greatest album any rock/metal band has put out; and thats a bold statement. One piece of advice, buy the album and listen to it until you get used to their sound. 1. The Leper Affinity (10:22): A great opener! Dissonant piano chords lead into a furious sea of riffs and growls!! A couple of great solos here. The mellow section in the middle of the song highlights Mikeal Akerfeldts improved singing. The riffs return and end with a beautiful courtesy of producer Steve Wilson (the genius behind Porcupine Tree). 10/10 *This album is a concept album. I can't pick out much of the story but its basically about a village that gets Leprosy and deals with the pain and suffering of the disease and their demise. This starts a very dark, gloomy album full of pain and loss.* 2. Bleak (9:15): One of the greatest Opeth songs and a standout song on this album. The heavy riffs have a Middle Eastern-style to them; and the verses, laced with acoustic guitar, feature lead guitar harmonics and death metal vocals. The riffage continues to a lighter section, when Steve Wilson contributes with some piercing and powerful vocals, as well as a cool Jazz guitar solo spot. Powerful lyrics on this album. A highlight on bleak is when Wilson singings: 'You're close to the final word/Your staring right past me in dismay/A liquid seeps from your chest/And drains me away.' (10/10) 3. Harvest (6:00): This is an acoustic song, one of the best I've ever heard. The chords are full of melancholy. An account of people losing their loved ones ('Halo of death, all I see is departure/Mourner's lament but its me who's the martyr'). Some great moments on this track, and Akerfeldt's clean voice really shines through. Kinda has that Pink Floyd atmosphere to it. (10/10) 4. The Drapery Falls (10:53): A really cool opening riff, goes into an acoustic verse that reminds me of some moments on 'Damnation'. The chorus here is gorgeous with Mikeal's singing, and there is only one little section with heavy riffs and death metal growls. A great standard Opeth track! This is coming from the view of someone having Leprosy and is dying (hence the name) (9.7/10) 5. Dirge for November (7:43): A REALLY soft opening with acoustic guitars and mellow singing, almost whispering. There is a soft acoustic section with a little solo before launching into a standard (beautiful) OPeth riff with Death metal vocals...'It sheds upon the floor, dripping into a pool/Grant me sleep, take me under/ Like the wings of a dove, folding around/I fade into this tender care...'. This is describing (in my translation) someone letting go of their life after struggle against the disease.Beautiful acoustic ending too! (10/10) 6. The Funeral Portrait (8:42): The name implies it all. But from the stories point of view I think that this is from the view of the disease, and Opeth symbolizes it (whatever it is, if its not leprosy) as a sly killer, 'Perish at my hands/Close to you/...Shall I take you with me/and it is Cold/Ruby Eyes in the Fog/It is me" A very heavy song, filled with growling by Mikael, at his best here! And some very aggressive riffs!! (10/10) 7. Patterns in the Ivy (1:49): A short instrumental piece with acoustic guitars and piano....Very nice piece that segues into the final epic title track...(9/10) 8. Blackwater Park (12:05): Opens with is probably THE perfect metal riff, as it continues and develops for 2 minutes without losing the audiences interest! There is also a beautiful (instrumental) atmospheric mellow section. But here, the story is from an outside (or God-like type of view). The lyrics are so poetic, probably the best I've seen: 'Lepers coiled 'neath the trees Dying men in bewildered soliloquys Perversions bloom around the bend ........................................................... Infecting the roots in an instant Burning crop of disease I am just a spectator An advocate documenting the loss Fluttered with conceit This doesn't concern me yet So far from the knell Taunting their bereavement' Overall: 10/10 Just go out and buy it right now. I have never been so stunned by an album before! Next review: Liquid Tension Experiment - LTE 2 Kim ----> Get this over ToT!
I hope it's just your opinion that 'Blackwater Park' is the best metal album of all time. Does Tool really even compare to a metal band like Opeth? Tool isn't metal..
I like Otep, not Opeth Saying Tool is metal is like saying Britney Spears isn't a slut. It's insane. Earlier Tool like Aenima and Opiate was sorta metal-ish, but Undertow, Salival and Lateralus are most certainly not metal. EDIT: Like I said in another thread, I'm used to seeing 'imo'. Sorry.
You seem to have issues with telling people to have opinions about things like that when OBVIOUSLY its their opinion.
How can you DEFINE metal? Really! I say metal is rock music that is usually heavy and describes certain feelings. No, Lateralus isn't too heavy, as albums are different in style. But in general I would say Tool as metal... But: DOES IT REALLY MATTER????? Anyways, I go on to say for your sake, Casey that (IMO!!!!) Blackwater Park is the best hard rock/metal album of all time. BTW: Why not? If you don't like their heavy sound, get 'Damnation'! An amazing acoustic rock album (redefining metal as a magazine put it even though its acoustic.) Or have you even listened to them?
Third Eye was amazing on Salival..but that's a different thread. I'll download some Opeth right after I get through downloading this NIN concert.
Okay, I suggest trying 'Windowpane' and 'Harvest' (on BWP) for starters! Another cool heavy one without death metal vocals to try out is 'A Fair Judgement'
You know what? I should never have read your review. Now I'm going have to buy this album. Damn your skills of persuasion. But not before I download some samples! I've only heard a couple of Opeth songs in my lifetime so this had better be good.
LMAO! Casey, Harvest does rawk! However, the Death metal vox may take some getting used to! For a heavy song I would try 'Deliverance' or 'The Drapery Falls'. If you like the Death metal stuff, d/l 'Demon of the Fall' at once. On their earlier stuff but its such a cool song! @ Rad. Dreamer: Which songs have you heard? As long as you have an open mind and give the album some time you should love it!
^ I've managed to download those two songs. Love them. You write very well; I gotta go get this album now. Haha, I never would've thought that you'd suggest something over DT, but since it's Opeth, it's understandable.
LOL, I guess I am pretty persuasive Well, yeah Opeth is awesome, but I suggest you pick up both if you have the cash They're both amazing albums!