DAMNATION

This is an excellent release from Opeth. Notable for having no death growls, (long before their move to a "grow-less" prog rock sound in the recent years) it turns things down and focuses on an album full of mellower, but still very dark, songs. What really makes this album great is how all the songs really flow together nicely and share a common sound. Many of the songs are led by acoustic or clean electric guitars and backed by dark mellotrons, which really give the album a gloomy undertone. This is certainly among Opeth's most melodic albums. Not only in the guitars but in the vocals, Mikael does a fine job. Most the songs are really propelled by strong chorus's that got me singing along every time. The song "Ending Credits," is almost reminiscent of Camel, the guitars got that Andy Latimer melodic feel, though it's much darker sounding than any Camel song off the top of my head. Speaking of this song, one of my few complaints about the album is that this song isnt the closer, including the name, everything about it shouts album closer! The first two tracks are great, and immediately show what the albums all about, but my favorite lies in the 3rd track with "Death Whispered a Lullaby." Its kind of got a real feeling of doom within it which always sounds cool to my ears. The album takes a different turn towards the end of the song "Closure." picking things up with faster drums on the forefront and faint melodic guitars in the background reminding me ever so slightly of Camel again. "To Rid the Disease," is another wonderful song with that dark mellotron I love so very much. I would recommend this album to any prog fan. If you're only a fan of their newer prog-rock stuff, or you've tried them before and couldn't get past the death growls, this may be a worthwhile album.

7.5-8.0/10