DAMNATION

Opeth, well what can I say? I only have one album, the object of my review mainly on the wings of the various positive comments and descriptions of their "softer" material and all the Steve Wilson influences (as if that was in any way bad!). Luscious melancholia this definitely is, drenched in pure agony, cleverly presented in a wholly symphonic setting. Akerfeldt is a talented writer, guitarist and singer but the distressing mood certainly increases his already prodigious talent, according to my metal-mates. The entire disc features massive dollops of mellotron bliss, solidly expressive guitar solos and svelte, athletic drumming. What a surprise this is, a roller coaster of barely disguised emotions, wrapped in a shimmering sonic veneer. PT fans will simply take to this as a fabulous outside venture that has the staying power of all the prog classics. The disc commences with a superlative track "Windowpane" titled owner of the innuendo for LSD is a mind-numbing dirge of desperation, screaming for more laced hallucinations as the feisty mellotron drones in vacuous stupor. The vocals are fragile, disappointed at the nihilism of modern life. This highly psychedelic track is closer to the "old" Porcupine Tree feel, at least in spirit with those somber moments of "ennui". The fleeting guitar solo from Peter Lindgren is one of pristine agony, way more subtle than with his usual gig. A sense of enveloping rapture permeates this colossal piece. "In my Time of Need" has a mellotron-driven vocal that will chill your spine, so suave and fleeting in its despairing fragility. Akerfeldt opines disjointedly in the pre-set, his powerful vocals come shining through the haze, with utter poise and presence. Wow! Heavy bliss, I tell you! This grandiose track is a classic melodic symphonic workout that all should witness and shake will quaking abandon, a perfect companion for that inflatable doll swimming in your new pool, exuding the misery of a plastic life while coping with all the pain. "Step out of range and turn away". Drummer Martin Lopez demonstrates the gifted aura of restraint, delicately highlighting the doom with subtlety, while keeping the beat resolvedly in synch. This is pure symphonic heaven, a modern "Epitath" ..2 cuts and 2 styles in, what's next' "Death Whispered a Lullaby" is a spooky diversion into a blending of dissonance and sweeping melodies. A certain feeling of unease becomes more apparent with the vocal-lyric aspect , not a pleasant mood nor track this is but again Opeth choose another prog avenue, more experimental , forward reaching and modern at the same time. The instrumental finale is extraordinaire! "Closure" starts off acoustically, a lament that drips of melancholia, almost robotic vocals and a shift into a more explorative mode with weaving guitar riffs , slashing bass and polyunsaturated drumming, pounding the groove deep into the mind, the harsher guitar imploring to enter the fray, drums getting heavy. Back to the initial lament with shimmering vocals and a veer into another more doom-laden sonic exercise that twirls into the yonder. "Hope Leaves" resurrects the bleak softness and it becomes apparent that all these songs on "Damnation" could have been done in a much heavier setting. That they chose the misty and blurred route is a tribute to their panoramic understanding of good prog music. Create a mood and slither all over it with luscious caresses, lusty rhythm and lurid vocals, just like a sensuous lover would, constantly creating the unexpected. I am stunned, as the next jewel "To Rid the Disease" rolls proudly forward with a chorus of the sublime, drenched in a torrent of shivering mellotron, paced with intensity, holding back desperately. Another killer episode that can only attest to their incredible vision, the gentle piano cajoles discreetly while the pirouetting flurry from the tron lingers on, insanely inspired. "Ending Credits" is a slow cooker, coming slyly into focus with a nearly Santana-like romantic guitar serenade that Peter Lindgren manages with utter genius. The Latin feel is contrasted by cool mellotron gusts colliding in restrained energy. "Weakness" is the final exclamation point and what will it be now? A very dreamy intro, minimalist drones, highly-effected vocals slurred on purpose and a meandering riff that seems to search for some outlet but remaining captured inside a glass bowl, unable to escape. In the end, it never does. An impressive recording, definitely a must-have for those proggers who enjoy being at the forefront of modern symphonic jewelry. 5 nordic sugarcubes.