STILL LIFE

I've really grown to love this album. I used to prefer 'Blackwater Park' but now this one seems the better of the two (the only two I own). BWP, while being more refined, does not share the same emotional power and raw creativity found on this record.

'The Moor' kicks things off with quite a ferocious song that sets the feel for this album. Dark, sad, beautiful. 'Godhead's Lament' is also a good song, but not quite up to standard with the rest of the album. 'Benighted' is a very soft song with some very jazzy bass playing, and acoustic guitars that make it really beautiful. 'Moonlapse Vertigo' is another typical Opeth song, and a very good one. 'Face of Melinda' is another beutiful piece with perfectly crafted lyrics and brilliant melodies. No harsh vocals here, but includes distorted guitar riffs. 'Serenity Painted Death' is a favourite of mine. It is the emotional climax of this album and is very agressive and heavy. 'White Cluster' brings things to a close with a mixture of beauty and anger.

This is a very emotional concept album. If you like or don't mind the harsh vocals this is definitely an album for you. It is well deserving of four stars, but isn't quite the 5 star masterpiece that it could be.