WATERSHED

3- (minus) This Opeth release is the result of an important line-up change. Martin Lopez on drums left (for mental stability reasons...) to be replaced by Martin Axenrot (Axe), and Peter Lindgren is replaced by Fredrik Åkesson. The first line-up change is a disappointment to me, as I find Lopez to be extremely talented and subtle, whereas Axe is just effiscient. There are even some breaks he does that are surprisingly untasteful... Guitar-wise, I think Akerfeldt wanted a guitarist who could play solos, and help him more than Lindgren did, and maybe come up with some new riffs. Bad idea? I don't know yet, but I personnally like the fact the Akerfeldt had just a basic guitarist with him, so that he doesn't get carried away, and doesn't try reviving his classic rock influences. The music on the album is fine, though nothing new is introduced here (for Opeth there is, but not so much for the listener...). The songs sometimes lack coherence, which is understandable with a new lineup, I simply hope it would be run otherwise on the next album. You will still find some crushing riffs, but the drummer change has a big impact on the Opeth mood which was heavily relying on Lopez... And guitarist who can do solos doesn't mean you have to double solo time, which was practically what happened here, and the music lost a lot of its charm, and darkness. The calm songs such as Coil didn't convince me a bit, and Akerfeldt seems to be a bit short on ideas, probably trying to manage the band the best he can...

Some fine elements, but definitely a setback compared to the great Ghost Reveries. Let's hope the new lineup works better on the next album, but I'm afraid I won't be able to swallow Lopez's departure...