GHOST REVERIES

I have been a long time Opeth fan, Opeth was my gateway into the amazing world of prog. This latest album is definately the most progressive album they have released and I love the direction they took on this album. Vocalist/ Guitarist Mikael akerfeldt has significantly improved his soft vocals, and his death metal vocals are more bizarre and dark than ever. The entire album is filled with beautiful melodies. Whenver I introduce Opeth to one of my friends, I tell them that they must listen repeatedly for sometime; Opeth gradually grows on you and your eyes are opened to the genius that is Opeth. I am a metalhead, so death metal vocals are actually a big plus for me, I see them as another instrument that yields the power to convey extreme aggression and emotion. Opeth signed on Per Wiberg as the band keyboardist, this is the first album that the band has had a keyboardist officially part of the band. I have a feeling the next album will further utilize the keyboards into the music, although on this album the keys really added so much. Opeth is truly an experience for any prog-head out there; I love Opeth because they aren't some generic metal band, they consistently produce beautiful, emotional music that touches my heart and soul each time I listen to them. They have truly been a huge influence upon me. I know the biggest concern for most progheads is the death metal vocals, however I feel that they can been taken as a wild tool that makes the album even more progressive/ experimental. Irregardless, Opeth has always managed to have a balance of beauty and brutality, Mikaels soft vocals (which take up a majority of the album) are absolutely heavenly. The guitar work is phenomenal on this album, its just filled with so many great melodies and harmonies. I just can't put this album down, I keep comming back it. Any prog fan should definately check Opeth out.