Fav and least fav Opeth album?

My favorite is the obvious one, Blackwater Park.

I can't really answer that properly, as I haven't bothered giving any album more than one listen after Watershed (which is my least favorite "growl-era" album of theirs). Its not that I need those growls, but I do think Opeth's music is less memorable, less unique as a "normal" Prog Rock band without them. To me Åkerfeldts "pretty" vocals and their vocal harmonies had a greater effect on me when they were contrasted with sinister growls. The material comes off as a little samey and unengaging - like they've lost more than just the growls in the process. Ive only heard two songs from The Last Will and Testament. While it was pleasing to hear the "return to form" none of the songs exited me very much. Ill give the full album a listen soon.    

Blackwater Park is my favorite (followed by Deliverance) and from memory I remember thinking Sorceress was a little extra underwhelming. But as I said that's based on checking it out once and dismissing it, so it's not really "a fair judgement".

Zappastolethetowels wrote: ^ So you are all in on the Cookie Monster?

Growls aren't any different than any other use of the human voice to me. Some appeal to me, others dont. In Opeths music growls have a place and function. In their peak-era, Åkerfeldts delivery is very melodic and rich anyway. Never grating on the ears imo. Beautiful even. That's why he is typically the first growler many listeners coming from "regular progrock" or "classic metal" are ok with.

Edited by Saperlipopette! - December 08 2024 at 00:00

Starshiper wrote: Whatever they do, being that death metal or "prog," Opeth's music has always been one-dimensional and dull to me. An extremely overrated band, in my opinion.

I'll second that!

Zappastolethetowels wrote: To me they are like the Flower Kings: album after album of sameyness until one comes off unique and somewhat enjoyable like Damnation, Still Life, or PC. I quite like Morningrise as well. Perhaps a little overrated

Personally I think they did their thing really well from 1995 up to about 2005. They've sort of perfected a certain fusion of styles and ideas. Anyone open to-or interested in a mixture of Progressive Metal/Death Metal in combination with traditional Progressive Rock and Folk - which quite a few bands do combine - would be hard pressed to find albums surpassing Still Life or Blackwater Park (I enjoy all their early albums to an extent, even Orchid, but it's a different beast). I think they are rated just fine. Some of their albums are generally considered weak/mediocre, while others as pretty great - for their style and genre. I mean I wouldn't rate any of their albums higher than a four out of five, but I only have a passing interest in this style of music. I've seen them live three times, and they've always delivered on stage, so I'm sure those positive experiences play a vital part in my appreciation of them.

I have heard six of their albums. I like Heritage a lot. OK it didn't exactly revolutionise prog, but it's just an album I like to listen to. Some of their earlier albums like Morningrise and Blackwater Park are very good, although I tolerate the growls more than I like them. I didn't like their first album. (I realise Heritage and Sorceress, the two more recent albums I know, are lowest rated among their later stuff, so I should probably check out some more of that.)

Edited by Lewian - December 08 2024 at 07:10

Saperlipopette! wrote: I can't really answer that properly, as I haven't bothered giving any album more than one listen after Watershed (which is my least favorite "growl-era" album of theirs). Its not that I need those growls, but I do think Opeth's music is less memorable, less unique as a "normal" Prog Rock band without them. To me Åkerfeldts "pretty" vocals and their vocal harmonies had a greater effect on me when they were contrasted with sinister growls. The material comes off as a little samey and unengaging - like they've lost more than just the growls in the process. Ive only heard two songs from The Last Will and Testament. While it was pleasing to hear the "return to form" none of the songs exited me very much. Ill give the full album a listen soon.     Blackwater Park is my favorite (followed by Deliverance) and from memory I remember thinking Sorceress was a little extra underwhelming. But as I said that's based on checking it out once and dismissing it, so it's not really "a fair judgement". Zappastolethetowels wrote: ^ So you are all in on the Cookie Monster? Growls aren't any different than any other use of the human voice to me. Some appeal to me, others dont. In Opeths music growls have a place and function. In their peak-era, Åkerfeldts delivery is very melodic and rich anyway. Never grating on the ears imo. Beautiful even. That's why he is typically the first growler many listeners coming from "regular progrock" or "classic metal" are ok with.

Edited by richardh - December 08 2024 at 18:46

richardh wrote: For the first time I watched a bit of Opeth live from Bloodstock. I find what Arkefeldt does quite remarkable. It looks like a magic trick how he can just do the death growls whenever he wants. I presume he must have a vocal coach. I did also wonder whether he took a break from them to protect his vocal chords. We know a lot of rock singers can destroy their voice by generally overdoing the delivery (not just death growls).

He’s stated that he didn’t think the growls fit the music of that period. They still played songs with growls live, so it’s not like he stopped growling for all those years.

In an interview with Loudwire, Åkerfeldt was asked about growling, and if he is more adept at using them for various purposes and intents in his music, having established his clean vocals on the past few albums. Åkerfeldt said he couldn't find space for growls for more than a few years, as they didn't fit the music: "I think we were there before this record. I never felt outside pressure on where we should go. Of course, I too have heard whispers about 'Opeth used to be great' and 'Make Opeth great again. Make Opeth growl again.' But for the last four records, there was no room for that type of vocals."

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/opeths_mikael_kerfeldt_explains_why_he_quit_growling_for_a_long_time_the_music_just_didnt_call_for_it.html

I've heard a couple of Opeth albums in the past...