BLACKWATER PARK

Blackwater Park is an excellent example of an ambum that has the perfect combination between beauty and anger. The demonic vocals are present in almost every track, except Harvest, and the two minute instrumental Patterns in the Ivy. There is a balance on this album between death metal vocals, music, and lyrics, and soft, melodic music and poetic lyrics.

The album opens with The Leper Affinity, which starts off the album very well; beginning with death metal vocals, and heavy music, which continue halfway through the song, then are muted down a bit in favor of slow, melancholy vocals, followed by heavy guitars, and demonic vocals once again. At the end there is an amazing, and hauntingly beautiful piano piece by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree.

Bleak, the second track, and one of the heavier ones, begins with an almost entrancing riff. The words seem to fade into each other. This song features guest vocals by Steven Wilson, and are the perfect accompaniment to Akerfeldt's.

Harvest is a song rich in Mikael Akerfeldt's soft, haunting voice, and does not caontain the "growling" present in most of Opeth's music. It shows the more melodic side of Opeth without necessarily being slower. It contains Steven Wilson's guest vocals again.

The Drapery Falls, possible the most recognizable Opeth song, is the absolute standout track on the album. Beginning with the strumming of a guitar, and normal, somewhat whispery vocals, it produces a perfect combination of metal and beautiful music. Halfway through the song is the transition to death metal vocals, and darker lyrics, along with heavier music. Then acouple of of minutes from the end, Akerfeldt switches back to normal vocals, and is again joined by Steven Wilson for a very brief amount of time.

Dirge For November begins with only a few guitar notes and Akerfeldt's gentle voice, very quietly. Then it rips right into metal again after small riff.

The Funeral Portrait is the heaviest song on Blackwater Park. It features some Opeth's most screamy, death metal, demonic vocals ever, and the harshest on this album. And it also features some of the most poetic lyrics.

Patterns in the Ivy is a short instrumental guitar and piano piece, which is very beautifully melodic, and melancholy.

The closing song, and the title track, Blackwater Park is also very heavy at times, and also very beautiful at times. It isn't much different than the rest of the album, but it a good closing track, and the end is simply a small acoustic riff.

Overall, a very, very good Opeth album, possibly their best.