GHOST REVERIES

After an entire discography that seemed to be growing increasingly better with each release, Opeth finally went and created their masterpiece, "Ghost Reveries" define everything that Opeth has been and is about. Reaching the peak of their incredible song writing and execution, there isn't much to comment on this album that hasn't either been mentioned by others here or is apparent on the first listen of this album. In either case you will most likely know if you will love the music from the first song alone.

"Ghost Reveries" goes even deeper into Mikael Åkerfeldt's progressive past and some might argue that it for this reason isn't comparable to "Still Life" which showcased more of the true progressive death metal aspects of their music, I for one disagree with this. Where "Still Life" is as important and masterfully played as this one, it lacked the vision to fully emerge from its sub genre. Yes, it was genre defining, perhaps even the finest of its genre, but to me it never moved so far away from its ancestry to be considered a masterpiece on its own merit. This is what "Ghost Reveries" is, their step away from their roots and finally into completely uncharted territory.

It all sounds very much like Opeth, or if you are unfamiliar with the name; melancholic death metal with passages of acoustic guitars and wonderful softer vocals by Mr. Åkerfeldt all wrapped into influences of progressive rock. With the addition of a keyboard player and the choice to even further emphasize the vocal harmonies Steven Wilson helped Åkerfeldt utilize in their previous releases, their music takes an even more prominent swing towards something fresh. The album works as a concept album and stays consistent lyrically and thematically almost all through, although I'm unsure to which degree as the songs are very strong as stand alone as well.

This sadly marked the end for Opeth as it was when Martin Lopez and Peter Lindgren left the band shortly after the release. Apparently there had been creative differences and some dependence issues with Lopez and he left the band to pursue his own musical projects. Losing such a forceful presence in the rhythm-section is a hard blow to the band and the replacement Martin Axenrot, who also appears on this album's 9th track, can hardly be said to bring as much creativity and diversity as the Latin influenced drumming of Lopez.

A masterpiece of modern metal and progressive music both. A must have for any serious music collector.

5/5