DAMNATION

Opeth

Tech/Extreme Prog Metal

4.02 | 1484 ratings

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LiquidEternity
Prog Reviewer

For a while, this was the only Opeth album I really liked thoroughly. The lack of death growls made it a very tantalizing prospect, in truth.

The only problem is that it's boring.

At least by Opeth standards. Even when their music is repetitive and vague, they at least have two sides of themselves to switch back and forth to and from: metal and not-metal. Here, we have an entire album built of not-metal, utilizing Mikael's wonderful clean voice and the band's softer side. It sounds like the kind of project that more death metal bands should undertake.

But something's missing in all the songs, and it isn't just the metal that's lacking. With the exception of Closure, each of the tracks blend with each other. They don't stand out on their own. Inspiration just seems to have vanished for a little while, inexplicably. Closure itself features some intense tribal sorts of drumming and some catchy vocal harmonies, but in itself it's too choppy and Frankensteined to work like it properly should. I hate to have to say it, but Opeth could have stood to lengthened this track by a fair bit, I think. Smooth out the roughness.

Not a bad album, really. Below par, yes, but enjoyable, and a nice concession to the hordes of would-be fans who love the music but just can't enjoy the growling.

LiquidEternity | 2/5 | 2008-9-29

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