BLACKWATER PARK

This is the first album I ever listened to by this band, and one of the first prog albums I ever listened to. I can say that when I first played this album, I did not like death metal, I certainly didn't like progressive death metal, and I wasn't a fan of music without guitarists who shred (I was really into Dream Theater at the time though). After a couple of listens, this album began to grow on me and opened me up to a new side of music. This album is brilliant in many respects. It is death metal that isn't death metal; the harmonies are breathtaking, the screaming isn't just noise, and the band doesn't go out of its way to be gory and offensive. There is beauty in this and an artistic touch. Songs transition flawlessly between distorted guitar riffs and double bass drums to classical guitar interludes and Mikael's flawless voice. I don't think many who listen to this album can deny that Mikael Akerfeldt is a unique force in the metal world (and the progressive world for that matter). Even if death metal isn't your cup of tea, and even if you don't like the sound of distorted guitars, I think everyone can find some beauty in this album. Everyone should check this out.