GHOST REVERIES

Before I review this album I would like to straighten one thing out, I have never been a fan of growling "cookie monster" vocals. I always considered them to be pointless and annoying, and was originally put off Opeth because of them. However, having listened to Ghost Reveries through many, many times, I just can't give this album any less than 5 stars. Many will not like the heavier parts of the music, but the album is so consistent and enthralling that I cannot ever imagine myself getting tired of it.

What makes Opeth so unique is the diversity of their music; songs will start out with heavy, unforgiving guitar riffs and harsh, evil vocals. Then suddenly, halfway through a song, the atmosphere will completely change, and we'll be greeted by soft, intricate guitar playing and some truly beautiful "clean" singing by Mikael Akerfeldt, who has an absolutely incredible voice. Hearing the huge shift in musical styles, it's almost like listening to a completely different band. I find it hard to believe that some people don't find Opeth's music to be progressive enough.

Throughout the hour of music featured on the album, there isn't a single dull moment. If I had to pick highlights though, they'd be "The Baying of the Hounds" and "Hours of Wealth". The latter contains only clean vocals, which are so beautuful that they brought tears to my eyes on my first listen (especially hearing the vocal harmonies between Akerfeldt and Wiberg).

Many won't agree that this album deserves the full 5 stars, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear that a lot of prog enthusiasts are completley put off by the harsh vocals in the heavier sections. However, the clean sections are so beautiful and the album so unique and varied that, in my opinion, it deserves every single point. As far as I am concerned, Ghost Reveries is a masterpiece of progressive music.