GHOST REVERIES

Opeth is one of the most interesting bands, without a doubt. They create a mix between Melodic Death Metal & Progressive Rock, forgoes & breaks it's own records on their 8th album, and provides a very polished album, without the virginity that was symboled on the previous albums.

"Ghost Reveries" is a very live & flowing album, and also more progressive & tricky than it's "old brothers", even though it's stay loyal to the genre of the band. There is also a very important reference to the 70's & 80's. In an untypical move, Opeth have left their spontaneous way of recording their previous albums, and - suprisingly - did few rehearsals before they entering the studio. The result is clear: If "Damnation" was too soft, "Still Life" was a bit boring, and you could felt the roughness on "Deliverance", "Ghost Reveries" provides mind creativity, spiced with a lot of smells & colors, exactly in the right balance. In that case, Death metal fans will like this album, and even the alternative fans will find their taste.

One of the best album tracks is "Ghost Of Perdition" - few gentle chords moments before were going straight to the doom. The stroking darkness, The blinding sharpness & the profusionist theatricality that this song has to offer, makes it one of the most suprising & exciting tracks. After a stormy exposition that gives a chased feeling, and the song breaks in a minor melody and enters a great phase with the mature & touching voice of Mikael Åkerfeldt. Suddenly, it seems like a whole choir of sad ghosts accompanies him when he sings deeply. Another track i liked is the finale of the album, "Isolation Years" - which is more of a gentle finish with a lot of sadness & melancholic music, a taste of far nostalgia that is perpetuated in a letter.

The desicion of Opeth to sign on "Roadrunner", that is connected to many new-metal/industrial bands, made many people wonder about the future of Opeth. But don't worry, the move to new label didn't change the spirit of the band. On the contrary, it seems like Opeth have just matured since their new connection. "Ghost Reveries" has a profusion of sounds, a classic lyrics, and the shouts of Åkerfeldt has a new quality and deep tone. The guitars are set on diferent tuning (Open Tuning) which made the work more challenging and complex. The joint of Per Wiberg (The Keyboardist) which accompanied them on "Damnation" tour adds a new dark atmosphere.

"Ghost Reveries" had the honor of being called the death-metals "Dark Side Of The Moon". It is known for it's musical richness, when never stops surprising and changing, it symbols the two sides of the band (the heavy one, and the melodic one). This is a true winter album makes you miss to the summer days when the soul is chased by ghosts. 4 stars.