Opeth - Heritage
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81193
Printed Date: February 21 2025 at 05:53
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Topic: Opeth - Heritage
Posted By: Jake Kobrin
Subject: Opeth - Heritage
Date Posted: September 14 2011 at 13:48
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Not only has this album been released a while ago in some foreign countries (such as Israel according to a friend of mine) but it's now streaming for free on the NPR website. http://www.npr.org/2011/09/11/140288664/first-listen-opeth-heritage" rel="nofollow - http://www.npr.org/2011/09/11/140288664/first-listen-opeth-heritage I was graced with a reviewer copy so I got to hear it a bit early and I posted http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=513734" rel="nofollow - my review on here around then. I basically stated my opinion there, although it has grown on me since. I'm interested in hearing everyone's opinions. On another note, I played the album for a friend of mine who's an old school progger, who worships Yes, etc. and is incredibly disappointed with the modern prog scene (and he knows all of the modern big wigs.) He hates the death metal type of vocals, so he was never able to get into Opeth in the past. I played this album to him and to my surprise he liked it! I know him as the "meeehhhhhhh" guy because he says that about everything. Any time he likes something that means he really likes it haha. ------------- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Neil-Kobrin/244687105562746" rel="nofollow - SUPPORT MY FATHER AND BECOME A FAN Jacob Kobrin Illustration |
Replies:
Posted By: Negoba
Date Posted: September 14 2011 at 19:52
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Thanks man, I feel like the only person who hasn't downloaded this already. Enjoying my first listen. ------------- You are quite a fine person, and I am very fond of you. But you are only quite a little fellow, in a wide world, after all. |
Posted By: JJLehto
Date Posted: September 14 2011 at 20:15
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I like it. Opeth but clean, what's not to like? I was hoping they'd explore more of the jazz/folk/blues he mentioned...but hey, Im liking it. 3.75 stars right now. |
Posted By: Evolver
Date Posted: September 14 2011 at 20:15
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Very cool. I've been looking forward to hearing this album. Now that I've heard it, I'll have to get a copy next week when it's available here. ------------- Trust me. I know what I'm doing. |
Posted By: Jake Kobrin
Date Posted: September 14 2011 at 23:21
Maybe the aimless songwriting and atrocious lyrics? ------------- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Neil-Kobrin/244687105562746" rel="nofollow - SUPPORT MY FATHER AND BECOME A FAN Jacob Kobrin Illustration |
JJLehto wrote:Posted By: JJLehto
Date Posted: September 15 2011 at 00:25
Never cared a lick about lyrics. As for the songwriting, well I guess so. Depends on if you like it amirite? If you don't (which I know you don't) then it's aimless. If you do, then it's drifty and atmospheric. I enjoy it, not a top 5 Opeth album but their discog is so good that still makes it a very good album. It's certainly better than DT's ADToE There, that'll cause some fun. Though it's true   |
Posted By: Kotro
Date Posted: September 15 2011 at 04:08
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I had very high hopes for this album. After the third listen, I'm dissapointed. It's not that it's bad (it's not), it's just... boring and surprisingly uninspired. The songwriting is indeed crappy, there are severall good moments, but they are all lost among lesser ones. The longer tracks fail miserably. Most remarkable moments for me are the short rocker "The Lines in My Hand" and the amazing final two-and-a-half minutes of "Folklore". ------------- Bigger on the inside. |
Posted By: Bonnek
Date Posted: September 15 2011 at 05:39
Exactly this, on all points, I find it an agreeable listen but there's not much beneath the surface. Mike can write decent songs and if he remembers how to, the new sound certainly has potential for a future release. |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: September 15 2011 at 07:57
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I like Opeth. I even like the cookie monster vocals, but when I heard they were doing a 'clean' album, I thought it may be along the lines of Damnation, but what I've heard bears little to no resemblence.
What I've heard so far has intrigued me, although I'm not blown away. It could be a slow grower, but they've not done anything I've disliked so far. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: September 15 2011 at 08:01
Thirded, minus the "crappy" and the "miserably". |
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: September 15 2011 at 08:25
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I'll let you know when its actually out here and I get it. ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005 
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Posted By: peart_lee_lifeson
Date Posted: September 15 2011 at 15:24
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^ Good man. There's just something special about having the CD and cranking it up in my car. ------------- PROG ON!!! |
Posted By: JJLehto
Date Posted: September 15 2011 at 22:26
Many have said that, but you do know he never once implied it'd be like Damnation. Simply "clean" and it was us fans who ran with it. I'm glad it's clean but not another damnation, that album is good we don't need another. It has been a slow grower for me. My first opinion was the same "good but this isn't great" and each listen I've enjoyed more. |
Posted By: JJLehto
Date Posted: September 15 2011 at 22:27
Ah but I do and plan to play it when for part of my 7 hour drive |
Posted By: cannon
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 06:22
| I must give credit to Akerfeldt for taking a risk and exploring other avenues. This album is mostly about the '70's. 'Heritage' is an aptly named title. Some fantastic acoustic strings incorporated in the some of the songs as well as the organ. No question, some filler tracks IMO, but overall a pretty good album. I'd like to see DT take a risk something along this line instead of recycling the same old. I think that's asking too much. |
Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 06:46
It's a real grower. I would say, and I have thought about it, that this is probably the best re-invention of a band since PT released In Absentia. Yes, I see it as a gateway album, a means to en end, but after a dozen listens I could confidently give it 4.5 stars. It is a classic rock album with many Prog elements. There are chunks of Red by Crimson, some Gentle Giant and even some Camel but these are fused with 70s bands like Deep Purple/Rainbow, later Zep and even Rush. Terrific listen with real depth, well done Opeth. The recording and mixing is flawless too! A great way to throw off the death metal heritage of the band. |
Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 06:48
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Heritage given 4 star review in The Guardian:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/sep/15/opeth-heritage-review" rel="nofollow - http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/sep/1...heritage-review Plus 5 of 5 at ARTISTDirect http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/opeth-heritage-review-5-out-of-5-stars/9204969" rel="nofollow - http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-...5-stars/9204969 |
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 07:06
Still only heard a few of the samples on YouTube but I think I'm going to like Heritage when I get it next week. ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: TheClosing
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 08:03
To me it sounds like Opeth minus the extreme aspects, but now that you mentioned it, Slither does remind me of Burn by Deep Purple a bit. This is merely the step I was expecting after Watershed and Throat of Winter. Nothing groundbreaking, although at least an honest attempt to try and stride new ground, unlike the new DT as someone mentioned. Also I agree that the song structures are still questionable indeed. Really I have no desire to hear Heritage ever again, which probably has more to do with me being worn out of Opeth after a decade. On a side note* I've never seen anyone (admins included) even remotely close to a million posts until now. Crazy stuff!
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Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 08:44
I've got a fantastic business opportunity involving a bridge in the New York City metropolitan area. Interested? |
Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 10:44
| Slither sounds like Burn and Kill The King with the solo from The Spotlight Kid thrown in for good measure. A wonderful homage to Ritchie Blackmore. |
Posted By: Bonnek
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 11:38
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^ it does, but sorry, give me the real thing any day |
Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 14:50
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=425" rel="nofollow - Be careful what you wish for |
Posted By: JS19
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 15:00
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I really dislike it. It's just seems directionless, and eclectic for the sake of eclectic. Mikael's wondeful clean voice has been replaced by a kind of screechy, nasal thing; and the production tries far too hard to be retro, and ends up just sounding like the band recorded it on Garage Band. Rant over :) In other news, I'm sure their next album will be better, because I love the style, but the execution is just so uncharacteristically far off, I wonder whether even that is too much to ask?
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Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 16:53
That was my initial reaction but I warmed to it after six or 7 listens. |
Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 20:36
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One listen in and it is certainly interesting so far. I like that they're trying to stretch out and succeeding with many passages. I am enjoying, but I need more time with it though, ------------- We are men of action. Lies do not become us. http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/" rel="nofollow - JazzMusicArchives. |
Posted By: The Truth
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 20:53
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It certainly was a different listen than previous Opeth and I'm not quite sure what to think of it yet. We'll see.
------------- http://blindpoetrecords.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow">  
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Posted By: Conor Fynes
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 21:00
| A huge disappointment for me really, the first Opeth album that I decidedly do not like, even if there are a few interesting moments along the way. |
Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 22:45
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"Directionless"..."pointless lyrics"..."uninspired songwriting".... Sounds an awful lot like a mainstream media summary of the entire progressive scene. I like what I have heard so far, I keep getting interrupted while listening. ------------- https://www.last.fm/user/Tapfret" rel="nofollow">  https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 18 2011 at 16:54
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Just happened to turn on the metal show on Planet Rock radio and they were playing something really interesting.Waited patiently for the announcement and low and behold it was a track by Opeth from Heritage. Anyway I've ordered it and then thought I would seek out this thread. Reading the negative comments ...oops |
.Never mind I'll give it a try. I'm completely new to Opeth so I can be open minded at least.Posted By: Horizons
Date Posted: September 18 2011 at 17:00
And that's the reason you prolly won't dislike this album. |
Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: September 18 2011 at 19:13
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Had a fair few listens now and I like more than a dislike. It does have that 70s vibe, and individual performances on most songs are great. Famine is quite interesting. My chief concern isn't so much the songwriting, but the arrangement. A few songs seem a little too sparse for my taste. No regrets but, still glad I have it. ------------- We are men of action. Lies do not become us. http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/" rel="nofollow - JazzMusicArchives. |
Posted By: JJLehto
Date Posted: September 18 2011 at 19:25
Yeah it boggled me too, I think it was just people jumping to conclusions/hoping. I'm with ya, he pretty much told us what to expect before hand  |
Posted By: JJLehto
Date Posted: September 18 2011 at 19:29
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I really don't like the "yeah a 70s prog album will suffice instead" type of comments. Like every prog band was original! But I am enjoying it, I can say with the final stamp. Maybe not top 5 but Opeth is so highly rated for me that still puts in the 3.5 to 4 range. I like the drumming, still don't like him as much as Lopez but I thought it was a better effort on Heritage for sure. Looks like this will be their controversial album with some liking, some hating, a lot in the middle, either too light, too much of the same or GAH why dont I listen to 70s rock instead. Or people like Conor that decided to hate it before even listening  |
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: September 19 2011 at 12:09
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Well, I've got it now though I've only listened to the first couple of tracks so far. Not as big a change as I was expecting but I still like it.
------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: Nightfly
Date Posted: September 19 2011 at 12:15
| Just got it today and I must admit to being a little underwhelmed on the first play. I'm on the third listen right now and bits are starting to shine through. I think this is going to be one that needs quite a few plays to reveal its secrets. Time will tell. |
Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: September 19 2011 at 12:35
| It's an absolute blinder, album of the year easily. |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: September 19 2011 at 13:07
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I have always liked your avatar Tony Rrrrrrr -------------  
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Posted By: King of Loss
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 00:06
| Just saw their first show on the world tour tonight. and I'm not going to break the surprise to everyone, but their song selection might surprise you. |
Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 04:05
An entire set of Pat Benetar and Foreigner covers. Now that would surprise me. ------------- https://www.last.fm/user/Tapfret" rel="nofollow"> https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp |
Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 09:16
LOL, indeed. -------------   
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Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 11:27
Got my Opeth lucky coin collection today.
Listening to the 5.1 mix now. 
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Posted By: The T
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 11:32
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Damn this album is attracting me less and less by the minute. I'll still buy it but it might be the first by Opeth that makes its way to the cd trader bin... Let's wait and see.. ------------- 
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Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 11:38
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Each to his own. To hardcore metallers this album might appear a sell out but to people like me who like their Prog heavy and their Heavy Rock proggy this album is near perfect. I gave it 8 1/2 out of 10 recently, I think I'll need to revise that up to a solid 9!
Brilliant. |
Posted By: The T
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 11:42
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I'm so far from a hardcore metaller these days I wouldn't mind if the album was a straight-out pop record but if what I read about "retro-70" is true, then I'll be in for trouble. I'll buy it today. -------------
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Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 11:47
Apart from having complete passages from various Rainbow, Gentle Giant and King Crimson tracks it isn't retro at all... 
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Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 11:48
Its not as retro 70's as they tried to make it out to be, but the death metal is long gone. ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: The T
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 11:48
  .... Well maybe maybe... I'll hope for the best... Fellow Swedes Pain of Salvation already killed my affection for them so I have to hope that these Swedes won't follow suit -------------
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Posted By: Negoba
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 12:54
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I like it...it's not a 5 star but it's still pretty interesting. Damnation is better, more focused. But there is more guitar soloing on this album than maybe any other Opeth album, for one thing. It's fun. Without a major change in direction, there wasn't alot more they were going to be able to say anyway. This one is interesting. Might make my year end top 10. But certainly not top 3. Need to let it sink in more. ------------- You are quite a fine person, and I am very fond of you. But you are only quite a little fellow, in a wide world, after all. |
Posted By: QuestionableScum
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 13:20
While I listen to some metal, I am not a metaller by any stretch of the imagination. I personally found Heritage weak because of its poor songwriting and forced dynamics/transitions. It is the first Opeth album that has generally bored me. I was not a huge fan of Watershed for similar reasons, but the songwriting was tighter and more coherent on that record. Also, some of the uses of hammond and flute are just ridiculous. At points Heritage sounds likes a 70's prog parody album. I love 70's prog but this just comes off as a weak imitation with some hard rock/metal elements, rather than something new and interesting for the most part.
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Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 13:29
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Give it time.
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Posted By: JJLehto
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 13:32
Pretty much what everyone is saying. Like every 70s prog band was original!!! What isn't some kind of an imitation? Kinda impossible to avoid. It's a fine album, and even if its a rip off of 70s prog...can you think of a better time/genre for Opeth to ripoff? |
Posted By: QuestionableScum
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 13:34
I would be surprised if my opinion changes much. My early reaction to Heritage was very similar to my initial reaction to Watershed, and my opinion about Watershed never really changed. But who knows...I hope you are right, but I feel very underwhelmed right now. JJLehto: My problem with the album is that it isn't original. The problem that I have with it, is that the songwriting is weak and incoherent. The same problem I have with much of Yes' work. The transitions, and use of dynamics don't seem to move the music forward, but just strike me as arbitrary. |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 13:40
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I doubt they became The Flower Kings (but hey they are both Swedish)jk
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm 
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Posted By: zappaholic
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 19:11
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So far I've given it one listen. A very intriguing departure and yet not entirely dissimilar to the 'peth I know and love. I'll have to immerse myself in it some more, but so far it sounds like a winner. ------------- "Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard." -- H.L. Mencken |
Posted By: CCVP
Date Posted: September 20 2011 at 19:31
Wow, that's beautiful! Is that the vinyl version? -------------
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Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: September 21 2011 at 06:46
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^Looks like the special edition CD+DVD which I've also got, minus the coin. ------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: Negoba
Date Posted: September 21 2011 at 08:32
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Ok I'm listening for about the 4th or 5th time now. I like it alot. There's alot of acoustic guitar and keys. It's fresh, feels risky, definitely along the line taken by "Throat of Winter" but bigger and more ambitious. It's not perfect. But it's good.
But my opinion on Opeth has never been mainstream. I'd rather listen to Orchid than MAYH (which is just "Still Life" lite to me). I love Damnation, but hate "Burden" off Watershed.
Listening to "Haxprocess" right now...how can a prog junkie not dig this? ------------- You are quite a fine person, and I am very fond of you. But you are only quite a little fellow, in a wide world, after all. |
Posted By: JS19
Date Posted: September 21 2011 at 10:27
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Every single positive review of this album here on PA begins the review with something along the ones of 'no more rubbishy death growls'. I'm open to most stuff, and this album just doesn't cut it. There's nothing really to like, it feels flat and uninspired.
Every time I mention I don't like it, I'm told that just because it's not mega heavy does not mean it's rubbish. Strange, but, Damnation seemed ok to me. And Opeth is one of the only metal bands I regularly listen to. I just think it's a bad album, and I'm a bit bemused why this opinion isn't more widespread. But hey, if people enjoy it, that's fine by me.
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Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: September 21 2011 at 11:43
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^I think that every time someone votes for Porcupine Tree in a poll.
------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: Nightfly
Date Posted: September 21 2011 at 16:22
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I like it - it's really growing on me getting better with every play. So what do you think, a one off like Damnation or a new direction? I tend to think the former.
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Posted By: King of Loss
Date Posted: September 21 2011 at 21:08
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I really enjoy this album. It might one of my favorite Opeth albums :O |
Posted By: thrak76
Date Posted: September 21 2011 at 21:16
First post here. Was inspired by the thread. Long time listener of Prog though... I really dig the 5.1 mix. I do feel it's their finest 5.1 mix yet; Ghost Reveries being my least favorite mix. You'd think that Prog bands would gravitate towards multichannel releases, but they are few and far between. You can really connect with the music in a different way than just a stereo mix presents. I wish that many more bands would release multichannel mixes. Opeth are one of the few that have been doing it for awhile now. Also, I'm a fan of the album as well. I'm not versed with Opeth's entire catalog, as i really just started listening to them when Ghost Reveries dropped. Been a fan ever since. One of the high points for me is "I Feel the Dark". There are some great dynamics with that song, and really on the whole album. |
Posted By: Nightfly
Date Posted: September 22 2011 at 14:04
| ^ I still tend to prefer a stereo mix thoug it has to be said that it's mainly because my 5.1 system in terms of quality and speaker placing (due to space) can't compete with my hi-fi. |
Posted By: Tony R
Date Posted: September 22 2011 at 14:11
Feel The Dark really stood out in 5.1. Mr Wilson has, as usual, really worked some magic with the mix. It's a 70s album style album with contemporary feel and it works. |
Posted By: thrak76
Date Posted: September 22 2011 at 16:04
Yeah, an improperly (or compromised) setup surround system can actually be a distracting, in comparison to a stereo mix. |
Posted By: The T
Date Posted: September 22 2011 at 18:21
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Ok. I have listened to 4 tracks already. I'm slightly bored. Less so than with the last POS album but a little. But this one is better. It might grow a little. -------------
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Posted By: Zombywoof
Date Posted: September 23 2011 at 17:46
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I'm currently listening to the vinyl and ripping it to a CD, so as not to wear it out. I love the album to death, personally, and more so with every listen. I am not a metalhead, so perhaps Opeth have found a new audience with this one? Got to give them credit for doing what they want to do. ------------- Continue the prog discussion here: http://zombyprog.proboards.com/index.cgi ... |
Posted By: Jake Kobrin
Date Posted: September 23 2011 at 18:43
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I got the vinyl today. Like I guessed, the production sounds SO MUCH more appropriate on vinyl. It actually sounds absolutely great. I highly recommend to hear it as such. ------------- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Neil-Kobrin/244687105562746" rel="nofollow - SUPPORT MY FATHER AND BECOME A FAN Jacob Kobrin Illustration |
Posted By: Kashmir75
Date Posted: September 23 2011 at 18:51
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I love it. I hear new nuances in the music with each listen. This is the most mature, deep, progressive, risky, and adventurous music they've ever done. I respect them for having the balls to leave their comfort zone and put out an album like this, not caring a jot what their metal fanbase thinks. I think their move further and further towards the progressive has been for the better. I hope they continue to further explore this direction. After this, it would sound like a devolution, not an evolution, if they go back to metal. ------------- Hello, mirror. So glad to see you, my friend. It's been a while... |
Posted By: Zombywoof
Date Posted: September 23 2011 at 18:52
I haven't heard the CD. In what ways is the vinyl superior? ------------- Continue the prog discussion here: http://zombyprog.proboards.com/index.cgi ... |
Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: September 24 2011 at 01:38
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I finally listened to it in its entirety. I love it. First Opeth album that I won't have to skip songs. I hear a lot more rhythmic complexity than previous albums. Certainly nothing I could accuse of being "uninspired" about it other than they were not inspired to layer it with death metal. C'est la vie. And I will second whoever made the album of the year nomination...so far at least. ------------- https://www.last.fm/user/Tapfret" rel="nofollow"> https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp |
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: September 24 2011 at 06:24
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^I've noticed that, Mendez really seems to shine on this album.
------------- Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005
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Posted By: QuestionableScum
Date Posted: September 24 2011 at 07:23
| I would not deny that the bass work and drum work are really good. But from the standpoint of overall composition the album is not that engaging, and many of the transitions sound really forced. |
Posted By: The T
Date Posted: September 24 2011 at 08:05
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The best parts are when there is only piano, effects and voice. When the whole band kicks in it loses quality, simple as that. The most adventurous and best working harmonies and chords and melodies occur when the keyboard is set to sound like a pianoforte and Akerfeldt sings usuing his not-great but serviceable (and rather tonally strange) clean voice. There are a few really good moments like that. The whole retro thing might be just no for me. And yes, the transitions are usually awkward and forced.
Anyway, it's a much better non-metal album by a formerly-metal Swedish band than Pain of Salvation's RS1. -------------
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Posted By: Jake Kobrin
Date Posted: September 24 2011 at 12:44
It sounds deeper, sharper, and with greater clarity. I prefer the sound of vinyl in general, though that's sometimes not the case with modern albums. This one sounds better than digital/cd, though. ------------- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Neil-Kobrin/244687105562746" rel="nofollow - SUPPORT MY FATHER AND BECOME A FAN Jacob Kobrin Illustration |
Posted By: JJLehto
Date Posted: September 24 2011 at 12:50
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Live, "Heritage" is even better. It was heavier and the drums were powerful, it gave it that extra oomph the album just doesn't have. |
Posted By: Jake Kobrin
Date Posted: September 24 2011 at 15:34
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Are they playing the whole album live? I guess that doesn't surprise me. ------------- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Neil-Kobrin/244687105562746" rel="nofollow - SUPPORT MY FATHER AND BECOME A FAN Jacob Kobrin Illustration |
Posted By: Kashmir75
Date Posted: September 25 2011 at 06:09
I'm looking forward to seeing Opeth in December, booked my tickets already. I expect to see a lot of Heritage, which is a great thing, because the new album is very good IMO. ------------- Hello, mirror. So glad to see you, my friend. It's been a while... |
Posted By: Jake Kobrin
Date Posted: September 25 2011 at 12:20
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This is their setlist (spoiler blocked) The Devil's Orchard I Feel the Dark Face Of Melinda Porcelain Heart Nepenthe The Throat Of Winter Patterns In the Ivy 2 Slither A Fair Judgment Hex Omega Folklore. It's pretty weak in my opinion. It'll be cool to hear Patterns in the Ivy II finally and A Fair Judgement should rule. f**king Throat of Winter. :X Porcelain Heart. UGH. And they have so many more amazing mellow songs that aren't here. I've been wanting to hear them play To Bid You Farewell for years. Also Harvest, Windowpane, Closure (thought they've played it every time I've seen them,) Isolation Years, etc, etc. IY especially would really fit in given how proggy it is. Oh well. Katatonia should hopefully still rule. Just highlight the above. ------------- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Neil-Kobrin/244687105562746" rel="nofollow - SUPPORT MY FATHER AND BECOME A FAN Jacob Kobrin Illustration |
Posted By: KirksNoseHair
Date Posted: September 28 2011 at 13:52
In the documentary that came with the album, Mikael seemed to imply that the metal/growling days of Opeth are over. I won't really miss the growling at all, but I will definitely miss the contrasts between the super-heavy and melodic acoustic sections of the heavier albums. ------------- http://www.theanabasisproject.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: September 29 2011 at 10:32
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Borrowing the special edition from my brother and giving it listen number 1. We actually watched the documentary a few nights earlier. ------------- A fun place to review and discuss metal: http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/" rel="nofollow - MetalMusicArchives |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: September 29 2011 at 11:07
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I have the Special edition, but I haven't looked at the bonus DVD yet. I also have no way of playing the album in 5.1 as of right now, but I do want to watch that documentary sometime today
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Harold-The-Barrel
Date Posted: September 29 2011 at 11:19
I'm not a fan on Death Growls etc, never been into Opeth, although i have been looking for a way into their music for some time, mainly because they are so adored in Prog circles, so when i heard Heritage was their proggiest yet, i figured this was my "In" so to speak and i must say i think the album is excellent, great Prog music, it makes me want to go back to the material i didn't care for and re-evalauate it. ------------- You must be joking.....Take a running jump...... |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 29 2011 at 15:51
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My first listen. This is one of those rare things - a prog album with space to breath and not trying to fill every second with something amazing .In that respect very reminiscent of Anglagards - Hyrbis (but not sylistically). Establish a mood and draw you in. A contender along with Steven Wilson's 'Grace for Drowning' to be album of the year I think. |
Posted By: Jbird
Date Posted: September 29 2011 at 16:50
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I dislike it alot. I think it's their worst album since their debut, Orchid.
Of course I'm more of a metal-head than a prog-head, though I grew up in the '70s listening to Kansas, Rush, etc, so take it as you will.
Maybe Heritage will grow on me. I hope so....
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Posted By: Negoba
Date Posted: September 30 2011 at 08:49
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I like Orchid.
I like this one better. It is definitely growing with each listen. I'm not sure if I'm going to give it 5 stars, but I might. But I really admire Mikael for taking big risks, just a lot of artistic integrity to follow his muse rather than following the money.
I have Still Life and Ghost Reveries. I don't need another one. ------------- You are quite a fine person, and I am very fond of you. But you are only quite a little fellow, in a wide world, after all. |
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: September 30 2011 at 08:53
That's how I feel about it. Even if I don't end up loving this album, it's something they had to do, IMO. |
Posted By: Knur Ris
Date Posted: October 03 2011 at 07:37
Haha, the bonus DVD really cracked me up - Mike looked so bored and annoyed. He's talked quite a bit in interviews lately about his mood swings and bouts with depression, so maybe he just had one of his "low points", but the parts where he's in his home studio talking about the record he could not have looked less enthusiastic if he tried. |
Posted By: Jbird
Date Posted: October 03 2011 at 19:08
For those of you who miss the 'old' Opeth, here's something new for you:
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Posted By: Formentera Lady
Date Posted: October 05 2011 at 15:57
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Opeth wants me to have at least one of their albums in my collection (even at the cost that they annoy old Opeth fans). Well, they reached their goal.
------------- http://theprogressiveweb.blogspot.de" rel="nofollow - Visit me in Second Life to talk about music. |
Posted By: silverpot
Date Posted: October 08 2011 at 10:12
That's true for me as well. I've just ordered the album after listening to it on Spotify several times. I never thought this would ever happen. |
Posted By: infocat
Date Posted: October 08 2011 at 11:39
Did you guys miss Damnation? That was the first Opeth I bought, and I went quite a while before getting a second because I was "scared" of trying the harsh vocals. Pretty silly, in retrospect! ------------- -- Frank Swarbrick Belief is not Truth. |
Posted By: Formentera Lady
Date Posted: October 09 2011 at 11:51
No, absolutely not. In fact, I bought Damnation a week ago. Now I have two Opeth albums in my collection. ------------- http://theprogressiveweb.blogspot.de" rel="nofollow - Visit me in Second Life to talk about music. |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: October 09 2011 at 12:25
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^ huuraay
-------------
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Posted By: Kashmir75
Date Posted: October 17 2011 at 04:41
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If Heritage or Grace for Drowning is Prog Archives album of the year, I will be very pleased. Both are incredible works. Heritage will bring Opeth a brand new audience. The people who saw merit in their music, but were put off by the cookie monster growly vocals. My brother is more interested in jazz, but he borrowed my copy of Heritage and ripped it to his PC. I think even my dad would enjoy this disc. I honestly won't be bothered if Opeth continue to go further in this direction. BWP was great, but it's been done. We don't need to hear it remade again and again. Other bands with metal beginnings have successfully transcended their roots and gone into more atmospheric and progressive avenues, like Katatonia and Anathema. I will be pleased if Opeth follow suit ------------- Hello, mirror. So glad to see you, my friend. It's been a while... |
Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: October 17 2011 at 07:02
I have to say, I wasn't too sure on the first 2/3 listens, then something clicked & I 'got' the album; I now think it's their strongest recent album - in fact, I'd say it's their strongest since Blackwater Park (although completely different albums) & probably one I'd play the most at the moment - superb production from Wilson, great songwriting, great musicianship. A definite 8/10 (and growing ).
If this is a reinvention, cannot wait until the next album... ------------- 
Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: October 17 2011 at 07:45
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I never thought I'd say it, but I miss the 'cookie monster' vocals a bit. I think Opeth do 'death' very well indeed.
But they've always had great prog credentials too, and Heritage, as Jim says is a grower. It has more depth to it than Damnation - the other non death growls album - and is more ambitious. 3 stars for now, but a probable contender for 4 in the near future. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: October 17 2011 at 08:40
| Unfortunately it seems I am feeling less favorable towards this album with repeated listens. The music is good, but I can't think of any tracks that really reach out and grab me. |
Posted By: The Doctor
Date Posted: October 17 2011 at 08:57
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Heritage will be my first Opeth album ever once it arrives. Heard the "single" and thought it was pretty strong, so I made the leap. I also liked Akerfeldt's clean voice on the last OSI album (or was it the one before that?). Whether I like it or not, we'll see, although, even if I do, I won't be digging too heavily into their discography as I do not like death metal growls at all. May pick up Damnation though if I like Heritage. ------------- I can understand your anger at me, but what did the horse I rode in on ever do to you? |