THE WOODEN BOX

Opeth was formed as a death metal band in 1990 in Stockholm, Sweden. The band signed with their first record deal with Candlelight Records in 1994. Inside this record label, Opeth released their first three studio albums, "Orchid" from 1995, "Morningrise" from 1996 and "My Arms, Your Hearse" from 1998. "Orchid" tested the boundaries of the traditional death metal, featuring acoustic guitars, piano and also some clean vocals. With only five songs, but lasting 66 minutes, "Morningrise" features Opeth's longest song, the twenty-minute "Black Rose Immortal". This album was a huge successful work. "My Arms, Your Hearse" was released as Opeth's first international release. This was the album that marked the beginning of a shift in the band's sound. All of them are worthwhile albums in their own right, none having any major production shortcomings or stylistic differences when compared together. They represent Opeth's era of longer songs, acoustic interludes, and progressive innovation from the melodic death metal. So, it was with great pleasure when I saw that those three works were released together in 2009 on its vinyl versions on "The Wooden Box".

As I've already reviewed these three albums previously and individually on Progarchives, in a more extensive way, I'm not going to do it again. So, if you are interested to know, in more detail, what I wrote about them before, I invite you to read those my reviews. However, in here I'm going to write something about them in a more short way. So, of course, I'm not going to analyze them as extensively as I made before, but I'm only going to make a global appreciation of them.

"Orchid": I confess that I expected a much weaker album according to the ratings on Progarchives. But, it seems I was wrong. It's true that "Orchid" isn't a perfect album but it's a very solid album, especially for a debut from a new band trying out an original music style. Although maybe not as well executed as some of their later albums, but definitely has earned its place in the progressive metal history. "Orchid" still shows all the great characteristics that would come to the forefront on such mammoth albums as "Still Life", "Blackwater Park", and "Ghost Reveries". It's very well executed through an interesting and highly sensitive musical style that its creators used to explore both musicality and emotion. There's a large world to roam and plenty of parts that you'll be surprised to remember without too much effort. Each Opeth release is considered a classic in the eyes of many that also believe this band not yet released a weak album.

"Morningrise": "Morninrise" is, in many ways, one of their darkest and most captivating albums. It's a transitional album, one of learning and experimenting, but it still remains a pleasure to listen to. The music is full of intricate melodies and sounds that are best enjoyed by shutting your eyes in order to take into account the complexities and the outstanding poetry through the lyrics. It's true that "Morningrise", as its predecessor "Orchid", has a raw and dry sound compared to the band's later efforts. I, however, believe this is all intentional to help create the dark atmosphere on this album, which is simply unique. Certainly this isn't Opeth's best album overall, but it definitely is very good. It displays all of their signature characteristics well. It's an incredible and diverse album and, while it isn't for every prog fan, I would recommend it to an open minded proghead. Still, I recommend start with "Still Life" and "Blackwater Park".

"My Arms, Your Hearse": With this release Opeth keeps write songs which take the best elements from any number of metal subcategories, and blend them seamlessly, as if they were meant to be used that way all along. Here we have black metal tremolo picking and sinister death growl vocals counterpointed against clean and compelling narrative, atmospheric chord and elegantly composed lead melody lines which slowly weave a framework to these lengthy and wonderful songs. Opeth is the living proof that all things work to the great of the intelligent songwriter. In a musical climate filled with imitators and endless reiterations, Opeth is an island unto themselves with an amazing display of songwriting and musicianship. "My Arms, Your Hearse" is clearly an album that stands out among its peers. Although it would be later topped by "Still Life", it has a unique atmosphere and serves as a great testimony of their earlier works.

Conclusion: "The Wooden Box" is the counterpart of other box set released by Opeth "The Candlelight Years" released in 2008 with CD versions. We have on "The Wooden Box" 6 vinyls LP's, a limited edition and is numbered. As happened with "The Candlelight Years", "The Wooden Box" has also four bonus tracks, the 1992's "Into The Frost Of Winter", which later became "Advent", "Eternal Soul Torture" that is a demo recorded at the time of the "Morningrise" sessions and two cover versions, "Circle Of The Tyrant" of Celtic Frost and Iron Maiden's "Remember Tomorrow" as two tribute samplers. But, there are still some slightly "technical annoyances": The discs are hard to get out of the box and they don't have their original visual. Fortunately, the box is not full, so they are not squished in it. But, apart that, "The Wooden Box" is an amazing purchase and an excellent addition, especially for all who prefer the vinyl versions.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)