No Opeth thread? Not really that surprising, to tell you the truth, but for some reason I feel an obligation to say WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE??!!!
Meh, whatever. My time to shine.
Opeth is a Swedish progressive metal band, formed in Stockholm in 1990. Opeth's line-up has been ruthlessly shifty since their conception. Though originally formed by David Isberg, who left bandwithout even appearing on any of their records, the bands main musical mastermind and heart of the band would be guitarist, vocalist and chief songwriter Mikael Åkerfeldt. That's all you really need to know about the line-up, members change periodically.
One of the most musically innovative bands in metal, Opeth's style was at first strongly rooted in death metal, sometimes bordering on black metal, but at the same time incorporating elements of prog rock, folk, jazz and classical music into their usually guite lengthy work. Their progressive side has become much more prominent with newer releases, their as of yet most recent album "Heritage" being a full-on prog rock album, immensely different from their older works. As Mikael Åkerfeldt would put it,
"I don't see the point of playing in a band and going just one way when you can do everything. It would be impossible for us to play just death metal; that is our roots, but we are now a mishmash of everything, and not purists to any form of music. It's impossible for us to do that, and quite frankly I would think of it as boring to be in a band that plays just metal music. We're not afraid to experiment, or to be caught with our pants down, so to speak. That's what keeps us going."
DiscographyOrchid (1995)
Morningrise (1996)
My Arms, Your Hearse (1998)
(The first three are part of Opeths Blackened Death Metal phase, if you will. Much heavier that subsequent releases, also much more free and jazzy)
Still Life (1999)
("Still Life" is a unique album even for them. My personal favourite. It's just so perfect.)
Blackwater Park (2001)
Deliverance (2002)
Ghost Reveries (2005)
Watershed (2008)
(More mainstream Opeth. "Blackwater Park" was kind their "coming of age" album, where they finally found a sound they were comfortable with. At the time at least.)
Damnation (2003)
(This album is perfect if you're trying to get into them. Rather melancholy and very soft, the album has no harsh vocals on it, so you don't need to be into death metal to get it)
Heritage (2011)
(Really soft and progressive, radically different from their earlier stuff. Still awesome though)
Bear in mind, if you're trying to listen to them and you don't get it at first, just keep listening. It's hard to explain, but one day you'll be listening to Opeth, and everything will just fall into place, and you'll see just how amazing they really are. Also, if you're not quite accustomed to heavier music, stick to "Heritage" and "Damnation". At first at least. If you want something heavier, "Blackwater Park's" a good start.
