STILL LIFE

Still Life ? 1999 (3.4/5) Almost 4 stars 11 ? Best Song: Benighted? According to Progarchives, and the whole of the progressive community, this, and not Blackwater Park, is the band's creative zenith. Well, that's all and good, they are entitled to their opinions, even if said opinions are waterlogged with idiocy. I'm a nice guy in person, I swear it. If anything, this is the first installment in band's golden period of creativity. Immediately upon listening to 'The Moor' I was overcome with the feeling that this album was going to be a little different from their past releases. Other words that came to mind were 'artistic growth' and 'learning from your roots'. The guitars have a more exciting tone, and definitely rock more convincingly, without the band relying on the obnoxious double-bucket chuckaka-thwomp of normal death metal. The lines are twisted and convoluted, definitely appealing to my interest in unpredictability. The solos that ride BEHIND the riff and vocals (which is an interesting, very atmospheric move, and certainly not wasted) are meaningful. When the lead singer finally breaks from his monstrous roar to sing cleanly, I will bet you you'll be as shocked as I am. The guy actually has an ear for melody! What a shocker. Oh, did I mention I'm only talking about the first song? They like to get shit done, and do so with some verve and at least an ounce of nerve. The last couple minutes of the song have to be heard to be believed. One thing Opeth doesn't have, though, is modesty. Only one song is under 7 minutes in length, 'Benighted', which happens to be the most engaging tun to my ears. Maybe it's how every song surrounding it is a meteor of fury and repose, the this quiet little number sneaks in and acts like a miniature centerpiece ? a storehouse for releasing the built up tension so you aren't swamped by the repetitious side 2; and yes, this album is highly repetitive. It's formulaic. The song will have a few minutes of neat ? I say neat because these guys ain't gods of melody ? soft playing, then the crashing guitars rip in. The stark opposition is half of why this type of record is so exciting. I can't say Still Life is Opeth's masterpiece ? the melodies aren't that memorable ? but it sure is interesting.