the progressive rock of opeth

For any band to change their approach to composition 4 albums into their releases is indeed a brave thing to do especially with an established following built up from that very partisan world of Death Metal. But that's exactly what Opeth have done. Their last album 'Heritage' began this hienous act of progression causing consternation amongst the diehard's, but it obviuously caused more of a consternation to Opeth's Mikael Åkerfeldt to produce more of the same old thing.
It's said "he began writing a bunch of songs in the old style but scrapped it a few songs in when he realised he was sick of the way it sounded".

Åkerfeldt's and Opeth's latest album 'Pale Communion' is a sumptuous wide screen drama of progressive rock. No more growling vocals and mosh pit riffing here, but spectacular harmonies that most prog bands would give their roadies for, set against a monster audio landscape of careful planning. This will really put the scare up some of their less than broad minded 'death' fans. Better face it guys Opeth are now progressive.
And what a sound it is. They can still produce a theme of sinister intent but from that dynamic now might be followed by a barely audible organ motif building a change of direction in the song or theme. This has more in common with classical composition than a heavy metal blitz. And of course being a Swedish production the sound is deep to say the least.
Why shouldn't musicians want to follow new directions. The Beatles did it every year for nearly a decade, Dylan has done it throughout his life. Jazz has done it for decades. Now Opeth have taken the choice of a new chapter in their world.
Vive La Change !. Or whatever that is in Swedish.

'Pale Communion' is available from the August 26th on Roadrunner Records. Pre-order it from the Opeth Store.
This is Opeth's official audio stream of the opening track 'Eternal Rains Will Come'.

opeth

Opeth are a Swedish metal band formed in 1990 lead by long serving member, singer, song writer and guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt . The band have gone through many changes over the years in both musical style and band members, but have remained one of the most avant garde metal bands to date. Opeth started as a more traditional death metal band but already featured extravagant arrangements of acoustic guitars, pianos and clean vocals in an almost melancholy nature.

After already making a name for themselves as a progressive metal band, Opeth's breakthrough came in 2001 after releasing their Blackwater Park album which has since been heralded a masterpiece in the metal world and is a favourite with fans and critics to this day. This would also be the first collaboration between Opeth and Steven Wilson, with Åkerfeldt and Wilson going on to become good friends. Steven Wilson's input on the album again influenced a change in Opeth's style, removing them even further from the traditional death metal sound. Here is the 2003 incarnation of Opeth playing The Drapery Falls, from Blackwater Park, at the Shepherds Bush Empire...

In 2011 Opeth released their tenth album Heritage, mixed by Steven Wilson. The album again marks a slight change in Opeth's direction and although it received good reviews in general, it has caused mixed opinions amongst some fans due to the band omitting the more extreme styles of metal from the album.

Here Opeth play the track Nepenthe from the album Heritage at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney in December 2011

For many years Åkerfeldt and Wilson had talked of writing an album together and in May this year the album titled Storm Corrosion was finally released. The album is far from what is to be expected with each musicians background and is described by Roadrunner Records' website as "an epic disorientating trip."