Artist – Album: Opeth – Blackwater Park
Released: 27th
February 2001
Sounds Like: Joe versus the volcano
So heavy metal, we meet again. Last time we met I think we
both came off worse for wear. Sure, I gave your Children of Bodom’s Hate Crew
Deathroll a measly 4 out of 10, the joint worst score I’ve given since starting
this blog (shared with the bloody Dixie Chicks, no less/more), but in turn you
gave me perforated eardrums, a banging headache and doubts about the ulterior
motives of angels. I’ve not been able to listen to the story of the three bears
without conjuring up in my mind the image of ‘Lil’ Bloodred Ridin’ Hood’.
Ah but metal, what is this? An album that’s interesting? An
album that’s entertaining? An album that one can actually stand to listen to?
Well played HM, well played.
Opeth’s Blackwater Park really is genuinely a good record.
There’s the soft/ loud dynamics that icons such as Pixies or Nirvana were
suckers for. There’s vocals that shift effortlessly between guttural roar and
aching croon and they balance the two well. Crunching electric guitars aren’t
the only dish on the menu, with acoustic guitars also holding their own. And
the 10 minute long epics capture the ambition and mood of the great 70’s progressive
rock groups such as Yes and King Crimson.
I’m not saying this
is for everyone, far from it. But if you’re of an open mind, or already have a death metal leaning you should give it a spin. Ease yourself in with the surprisingly gentle ‘Harvest’, work yourself up to the mood-shifting
‘Dirge for November’ and, if you’re
still standing, feast yourself on the furious title track. Great fun.
Albumaday... rating:
7/10
1. The
Leper Affinity – 10:23
2. Bleak
– 9:16
3. Harvest
– 6:01
4. The
Drapery Falls – 10:54
5. Dirge
for November – 7:54
6. The
Funeral Portrait – 8:44
7. Patterns
in the Ivy – 1:53
8. Blackwater
Park – 12:08
Listen to ‘Harvest’:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxaFANthouM
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