DELIVERANCE

A great album. Generally regarded as Opeth's heaviest that should not be a turn off. If you're not a fan of heavy guitar and especially growling then avoid this album, (but you'd want to do the same with every other album except Damnation). This album has the classic Opeth sound of mellow, acoustic prog rock and crushing, growling death metal. This album is a bit more skewed towards the latter, but both are still there.

Wreath. Album kicks right off! Some heavy, interesting riffing and blistering double bass. In a bit a slower more dramatic musical section comes in, and sounds awesome with the vocals. A cool little drum section later in the song. Near the end is a real brief acoustic part followed some of the most brutal vocals on the album!

Deliverance. Starts right out of the box with some metal. I would just like to say that besides the growling, (and double bass) even the metal in Opeth is usually slow, and based on chords or complexity. Very little thrash, tremolo picking, and never blast beats. Anywho, it doesn't take too long before a mellow section starts. The two sections will alternate throughout, with some great sections, and nice solos. Ending drags a bit.

A Fair Judgment. Nice piano intro. You hear a short gap...brace yourself! Oh wait, more mellow. This is a much slower, and melodic song. There is some heavy guitar, but the vocals are clean throughout. Some really nice acoustic sections, (especially the first one) nice solos and great drumming!

For Absent Friends. An entirely acoustic, clean song. Very nice and mellow. Beautiful.

Master's Apprentices. After the nice break its back into a heavy song. Typical Opeth song, can be a bit slow at times, (gets kind of repetitive) but good nonetheless. Really great drumming.

By the Pain I see in Other's. Most intense song on the album. Interesting intro, then a nice heavy Opeth section. After this is an acoustic section with some creepy vocals! Creepy, and awesome. Then it is into a thrashy section, (which again is not something to often seen by Opeth) then back to creepy section. Some really interesting sections in this song. Listen to the very end.

Good album. Standard Opeth album, (which is not a bad thing at all!). This means great music and songwriting, but also with some parts that drag a bit. If you really have no tolerance for growling, then stay away. If you do, or like metal, then please listen! Great album.

Four Stars