GHOST REVERIES

This is a band that has truly progressed without any strain whatsoever. I've been a fan since Orchid. Opeth has never let me down. Ghost Reveries definitely solidifies them as more than a metal or prog band. In my opinion Opeth is Opeth. They are one of those bands that don't need catogorization. Talent is thick and evident here, and beyond anything else they have done. I am not so much of metalhead at least not since the "My Arms, Your Hearse" release. And while my musical taste has changed throughout time, Opeth has always been an ever present force of amazement. Some critics say there is nothing really different about Ghost Reveries in comparison to the previous albums.... Well, like I had said earlier, Opeth is Opeth. They do what they do in their own way, but still experementing with different sounds, sometimes subtle, sometimes bold. This album is the best example of that. The blend of heavy agression and mellow beauty makes this their most well rounded and complete album to date. Sure, maybe it has been done before in the past but not quite this well. The increase in the talent and musicainship of these guys hits you square in the face. The percussion is mindblowing (trust me, I'm a drummer) as well as the guitar riffs and bass work. Add in some mellotron in all the right places and you've got a complete, almost perfect album. And yes, different from the others. I am not going to review each song on Ghost Reveries one by one. I suppose if there was a track that didn't fit in or impress me I would mention it. That is not the case here. This album should be reveiwed as a whole, not in sections. But everyone has an opinion, maybe I'm not very fussy. I just feel that way because of the the way these songs mesh together and flow. The growling, gutteral vocals is something not everybody enjoys. But, nonetheless Ghost Reveries is every bit as good as any "classic" album from say...Slayer, King Crimson, Pink floyd, Beatles and so on. Many people would disagree with that opinion, but the musicianship is there. So, those who judge Opeth as just a metal or a prog or black metal are way off base. They have once again created an album rich with many musical elements. You'll never hear anything like this anywhere. Opeth is a true milestone in music and should be taken seriously.