DAMNATION

First off, I'm completely new to Opeth, and have never been a fan of death metal, which I find puerile in the extreme. Now I like my RAWK as LOUD and IN YER FACE as the next guy, but what puts me off most is the unintelligible growling that passes for lyrics/singing.

Being of an open mind, and having read some rave reviews of Watershed, I thought I'd give it a go, and borrowed a copy from a mate. Musically it is very prog, and I liked it a lot. The growling, altho' kept to a minimum still grates however.

So I started a thread in Forums debating whether Opeth would be better off ditching the growling altogether, as this seems to me to be their only link to their Death Metal past. As is often the case in these threads, a descent into juevenile name calling ensued, but one useful post pointed me in the direction of DAMNATION as it has no growling at all.

Mmmm sounds promising I thought. So I borrowed a copy. I consider that it is not as musically interesting as Watershed, is fairly one dimensional and struggles to maintain ones interest. Indeed the album sounds like diluted modern Porcupine Tree to these ears, and I know that S Wilson is a big fan of Opeth.

This review will probably enrage Opeth's rabid and seemingly very touchy fans, but for all you out there who like me, are always looking for something that has previously gone under their radar, try it, but apply caution.