DAMNATION

Death, doom or prog metal? I say spotlessly crafted, revealing music. This Swedish band has certainly struggled to detach from the incessant clichés and critics surrounding the so-called prog genre DREAM THEATER christened in behalf of the metal influences they adopted to manufacture their music (presumably under the incursion of URIAH HEEP, but I personally don't buy that theory). And they have done such an astonishing work to probe the media and the stereotypes wrong: "Damnation". So plagued of inventive on instruments that appear to come to life and of innovation when it comes to blend several music styles, OPETH is becoming one of those bands to remember as precursors and icons.

It is certainly quite impossible to think of music without music. If way too many bands wouldn't have existed, much of the essence sustained by OPETH wouldn't have either. That's why much of the effort put into every production by the quartet from Stockholm, has turned into a distinguishing particular label, an unbreakable transitional seal that has become stronger during the years, translated in recognition and acceptance from the fans. Constant in instrumentation updating and interminably restructural from within, OPETH is a band that once claimed for a spot, and know, many prog bands set themselves the goal of becoming a bit of what the Swedish band has become.

"Damnation" is the ultimate destination of the OPETH new era that commenced back in the early years of the breakthrough decade with "Black Water Park". This is the album that determines and establishes the final formula to be applied by restless and discomforted bands of the yet inaccessibly prog sub-genres. The so mentioned effective formula is portentously displayed in pieces like "Closure", "Windowpane" and "To Rid the Disease". The entire album is played mysteriously ease and quiet in the beginning to awake our suspiciousness, but the strike of adventurous instrumentation to be received forward on as the music flows, is absolutely comfortable and rewarding. OPETH is definitely indispensable to your prog collection.