MY ARMS, YOUR HEARSE

Review Nº 801

Opeth is a progressive metal band from Stockholm, Sweden, formed in 1990. The band's works are characterized by the contrast that arises between the lighter elements of guitar, singing and jazz, combined with the aggressiveness of death metal. In addition to the peculiarities that make the band's sound unique, the themes are focused on dark aspects of human subjectivity, such as anguish, fear, remorse and suffering present in more sentimental and melancholic musical genres. Their vocalist and main guitarist is Mikael Åkerfeldt, who constantly changes between growls and clean vocals.

So, "My Arms, Your Hearse" is the third studio album of Opeth and that was released in 1998. The line up on "My Arms, Your Hearse" is Mikael Akerfeldt (lead vocals, electric and acoustic 6 and 12-string guitars, bass and piano), Peter Lindgren (guitars) and Martin Lopez (drums and percussion). "My Arms, Your Hearse" had also the participation of Fredrik Nordstrom (Hammond organ), Johan De Farfalla (bass) and Anders Nordin (drums), as guest musicians.

With their third release, Opeth created a powerful and dazzling death metal work. But it would be unfair to attribute Opeth's music to the death metal. One of the important points is that acoustic parts are so incredible that each song is worth any other "pure" death metal album. As a result, you don't need to be interested in death metal to enjoy Opeth. I'm not particularly fond of death metal however that band is now one of my favourite. This release is a great musical step for the band as the recording is better than on "Orchid" and "Morningrise". Every song is a must. It's a great work.

"My Arms, Your Hearse" has nine tracks. The album opens with "Prologue", which, as the name suggests, builds up some nice atmosphere with rain and some piano. It only serves as an appetizer reminding you about the mystifying theme of the album. "April Ethereal" has some nice acoustic interludes and clean vocals. It launches the album into full fury. Mikhael's growls are truly terrifying and the pounding riffs only serve to heighten that fact, but they manage to be memorable, from its technical to the melodic sections. This song single handedly proves that all grandiose plans of making progressive and technical metal worth nothing if you don't know squat about songwriting. And Opeth definitely have the talent of songwriting. "When" is a prototypical Opeth's song with lush, clean guitar tones subside into a brutal riff that then settle down. Layers of acoustic guitars blend with distorted electric guitar to dazzling effect. The rhythms are relatively simple but everything sounds seamless, and there is some heroic, melodic soloing. The song is exquisite. This is probably the lighter song on the album, although there is much intensity to be found here. "Madrigal" is a kind of a short "intermission" and builds up into the next song. It's a superb acoustic intro for "The Amen Corner", despite being one of the weaker songs on the album. It's simple but nice. "The Amen Corner" is a highly melodic song despite keeps the flag of brutality flying high yet again. It does have a crazy cool opening section that is catchy. This song showcases what the norm for the clean vocals would become on future songs. This song captivates its audience, especially with the acoustic breakdown in the middle of it. "Demon Of The Fall" is heavy, even with some layered distorted growls to add to the vocals a "demonic" feel. The acoustics interludes are awesome, and the end is extremely well done. Even this quite powerful song still relies on the prog Opeth's style, rather than standard death metal riffs. "Credence" is a ballad that features entirely clean guitars and vocals. Instrumentally this is truly a marvel, from the disconcerting introduction to the soft passages that appear during the course of the song to that sad ending. "Karma" has some crushing heaviness complimented by very long acoustic sections. It has one of the best acoustic sections on the album. It's consistent and it has a great riff near the beginning of the song which sets the stage for the rest of the song. It's a great song to start an end to the album. "Epilogue" appears as a melancholic closing with some touches of blues and progressive rock from past decades, giving the album a nostalgic air. This is an instrumental song with quite simple instrumentation but really beautiful. It's a nice emotional close, an excellent way to end one of their great works.

Conclusion: With "My Arms, Your Hearse", 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 are the living proof that all things work to the good 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.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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