MORNINGRISE

Morningrise is the first Opeth album I heard and also the first death metal in general. I got it about 2 years ago. At first I didn't like it at all - the fast drumming, distorted guitars, mellow parts that seem to have no connection with other parts of the song and of course growling vocals. I couldn't listen to it for more than 10 min. After a couple a listens it's magic started to reveal to me. I discovered a web netted from beautiful acoustic parts and harsh, cold and furious death metal parts. Songs range from 10 to 20 minutes of epic Black Rose Immortal. All song combine clean and death metal vocals except the beautiful mellower song To Bid You Farewell. I have to mention De Farfalla's bass playing which deserves the highest mark and it really shines on this record. From a technical point of view the band isn't at it's peak; Åkerfeldt's voice has not yet developed it's present greatness, Nordin's drumming isn't as good as Lopez' but is more than adequate for the type of music on this record( this I don't mean to criticize, it's just an observation). But this album also has it's flaws - the production could be better as it sounds a bit flat. Maybe songs really are a little bit to formulistic and I can understand why some people have a problem with this. This album is not perfect but I enjoy it that much that I'm going to give it a 5 star rating since I can't give it 4,6 stars which would be more objective. I recommend this album to every progressive rock fan especially to those who like metal. For Opeth fans this one is of course essential.