PALE COMMUNION

I have been following Opeth one way or another for some years. I picked them up around the Damnation/Deliverance period and found the juxtaposition of the Death meta with melodic vocals and some fabulous melodies really addicitive. I suppose my favourite thing about the band is how they have continued to change each record introducing something new and different. This record is once again a further change from Heritage , Watershed and Ghost Reveries and the strength of it is seen when you go back and listen to those again.

Its full of classic 70's progressive sounds the keyboards and mellotron are all over the songs though not dominating. I am not a studio engineer so I am not going to comment too much on mixes and vocal positioning. To me it all sounds warm and and a bit retro sort of like a Led Zepplin album which I am sure was the desired effect. It does sound just like something from the late 70's but natural not contrived and that is something I really like about it.

The songs vary in style in some ways its a tribute to various prog luminaries like Yes, King Crimson and others. I have to admit I am not an authority on those but yeah I get the idea Akerfeldt has never been shy about displaying his influences.

I would have enjoyed a little more variation in the vocals I think a guest would have been nice for contrast. But that said its really strong on melody and the harmonies. The guitar solos are fantastic flights of skill the drummer is on a special jazz groove trip and the keyboards whirl and swirl and provide great momentum.

Mikael Akerfeld is really doing a sterling job of being an artist. He and his band are only interested in making the music they feel they need to make now, not the best bits from their biggest selling album or whatever some record company dope says is popular right now. Of course among Prog type groups this sort of thing is expected but still I think they should be applauded for not playing it safe. For those mourning the loss to metal - well the back catalog in that department is pretty strong..I wouldn't panic - I am sure they haven't forgotten how to produce top quality heaviness if they feel the need.

Overall its a top class record will be listening to for years to come like a lot of other opeth work. - support artists - get it.