Opeth - Blackwater Park



1.The Leper Affinity (10:23) 2.Bleak (9:15) 3 Harvest (6:01) 4.The Drapery Falls (10:53) 5.Dirge for November (7:53) 6.The Funeral Portrait (8:44) 7.Patterns in the Ivy (1:52) 8.Blackwater Park (12:08)

Total Running Time: 67:09



Opeth is, without a single trace of doubt, a unique band in every sense, and trying to pinpoint its style or sound would be to search for the indefinable. Quite honestly, it'd be rather disrespectful to try and tag the band as just another death metal outfit, since its music shatters the limit-bearing definition of metal and explores the horizons of progressive and symphonic styles quite extensively.

Blackwater Park is the band's fifth studio effort and really defines Opeth as a solidly based entity, digging even deeper into the complex composition ideas that characterize its sound. The album is in the same vein as its predecessor Still Life, with the exception that a much greater emphasis was put on the vocal melodies, which, according to my point of view, is one of the most important areas of any recording. The vocals themselves, meanwhile, range from trademark death metal growls to awe-inspiring and emotionally drenched melodies that almost make the listener break down in tears.

The songs themselves are majestic, full of layers and atmospheres that embrace one thoroughly, as evidenced in the grandiose masterpiece "Bleak." Such passages, filled with acoustic layers and sustained notes, are perfectly arranged throughout the album and flow grandly through every time signature change as well, which allows them to take on quite a dynamic quality. The band is also rather capable of handling instrumental bridges and of jumping across mind-twisting moods, more specifically bridging the gap between emotional harmony and disorderly chaos.

As a note of importance, it must be said that renowned Porcupine Tree mastermind, Steven Wilson, sat on the producer's chair and helped the band squeeze every last drop of creativity into the album's songs. He even contributed to vocals and piano in a couple of tracks, but credit must be given where credit is due, and as such most of it goes to Mikael Akerfeldt, Opeth's frontman and founder. Songs like the intricate, mood-exploring beauty "The Drapery Falls," or the acoustic, melancholic piece "Dirge For November" clearly show the brilliance of Akerfeldt's musical vision; a perfect balance of grace and intensity that remains throughout the album's complex instrumental passages and inspiring melodies.

If anything should be said about Opeth, it's that the band is one of the most innovative and groundbreaking outfits out there. And not only metallically speaking. Willing to boldly ignore any limitations and explore whatever comes into the band's collective mind, Opeth has developed a sound that's truly its own, and Blackwater Park shows no signs of the band's creativity or musical capabilities stagnating. A definite recommendation for open-minded listeners who are willing to look beyond the superficial death metal cliché and listen to deeply emotional music.

-by Javier Elizondo

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