DELIVERANCE

Ambitiously striving to elude the perils of complacency, Opeth release two albums of diametrical styles, with the first, Deliverance, emphasizing the band's heavier approach, and the second, Damnation, showcasing the mellower aspect of their sound. However, Deliverance is essentially standard Opeth work, formulated in the tradition of their previous albums, and is only "heavier" in comparison to the follow-up Damnation, which is ultimately acoustic prog-rock. As a stand alone effort, there exists nothing on Deliverance that separates it from past works, other than its position as Opeth's least inspiring/interesting creation.

Indeed, there are moments here that are Opeth's heaviest in terms of sonic expression, with a few passages resembling Morbid Angel's more lurching moments, most notably in "Master's Apprentices". There is a thicker darkness evident through much of the album lending itself to a sinister mood, but the plaintive instrumental "For Absent Friends", melancholic lament of "A Fair Judgement" and acoustic passages within the remaining tracks offer a familiar caress. These moments also stand as the album's saving grace, with only the title track's menacing closing groove offering anything else to be remembered. For sure, the musicianship on display is phenomenal, but this has long since been established. Much of this material lacks any real feeling, and Opeth's mastery of constructing epics of captivating flow is disturbingly absent, leaving most of the songs hollow at their core. There is no journey to be taken here.

"Sever the faith from my body Leave me begging for more Take what I have and deliver me Into everlasting sleep"

Deliverance is not very inviting. It is a more challenging listen than past recordings, not because it embodies more depth and complexity, but because there is very little here that matches anything they have yet accomplished, and nothing that rises above, making for a less engaging listening experience. Once overflowing with vibrancy and excitement, now Opeth have settled into a formula that, while admittedly an outstanding one, has descended into drudgery. There is simply no longer a feeling of adventure in this band's work, and the emotional impact of previous material has sadly become void. With the exception of the aforementioned stellar moments, Deliverance, despite its technical brilliance, ultimately disappoints through atmospheric vacancy and lengthy compositions disguised as adventurism.