WATERSHED

After the great masterpiece The Ghost Reveries, the expectations were really high on the new album. And of course I am not dissappointed. Mikael Åkerfeldt is a genius and couldn`t fail with this album

1. Coil: A really nice opener on the album. A soft accoustic ballad with great singing by Mikael and a woman. (10)

2. Heir apparent: A really heavy opening on this track wich I think is the most brutal of the songs. At 01.20 a really brutal heavy classic Opeth riffing sets in. A little later some progressiv solos and riffing expands to some odd accoustic chords before totally chaos sets in. Slide guitars and odd accoustic chords is mixed with brutal death metal until 07.23 when the song softens to something like a Dream Theater outro. (8)

3. Lotus eater: Blast beats at the beginning with growling song but after one minute the song takes of in a really proggressiv style and with clean song from Mikael. Four minutes into the song it softens to some jazzy tunes before going into some soloing. 05.49 the most odd thing Opeth ever has made occurs, a jazzfunky riff between guitar and keyboard that immediately reminds you of DT. Then it progresses to a good outro. (8)

4. Burden: A master piece! A really beautiful song with great singing by Mikael. The song reminds me of the cover that Opeth made of Deep Purples Soldier of fortune. An accoustic ballad that seems a bit different from what Opeth usually do. But it works great! Great solos from both the guitarists and the twinguitar solo outro is really really beautiful and a really classic. The last thing with the tuned down guitar I don`t like, but it really doesn`t belong and affect the song. (10)

5. Porcelain heart: A slow and moody start of the song with accoustic guitar and piano, reminds a little like the grand conjuration. Then some heavy riffing comes in with some chorus song in the background, really nice. 04.58 begins a really beautiful part with clean voice and nice keybords. The song ends with same heavy riffing that was before. (8)

6. Hessian Peel: The most epic song on the album, begins with something that reminds me of something Iron Maiden have done, like Clansman for example. I really like that part. Then some odd part sets of with Mellotron and accoustic guitars. 05.49 the death metal part sets in with total frenzy, nothing that you expect at that moment. A really heavy bluesy riff progresses to a more catchy softer riffing. A really nice transition. This song is as progressive as it gets (9)

7. Hex Omega: The opening riff is really cool, heavy and riffy. But shortly after the song slows down for a moment and then progresses to some DT like riffing. at 03.15 the song softens down to something weird and moody. The outro is somewhat of a anticlimax. (8)