tom_b

If the total stupidity of the statement wasn't a tip off enough,
then the "sux" spelling is.
They're not talentless, it's just on this new album, they're not
using it to good effect.
And to me, I don't have anything bad to say about the first 5
albums. It's Deliverance that seemed spotty to me. Wreath drags on
forever. The song Deliverance is great, but at 13 minutes, is too
long.
Then as some would put it, "the dull amibent part" begins with A
Fair Judgment. But anyone who thinks this song is dull, is flat out
wrong. After several listens to the album, I came to the final
judgment that this song makes the rest of the album sound stupid.
For Absent Friends. A short amibent piece. Nice.
I always liked Master's Apprentices. Sort of think the album
probably should have just ended with it.
By the pain I see in others. If I start with the song, it's probably
ok, but if I do an end to end run, by this time I've about had it with
the whole thing.
After listening to Damnation several times, and a general comparison
between the two, I think anyone could hear where Mikael's heart, and
maximum effort went. Pretty much he admitted so in a recent interview
leading up to the issue of the new album.
Before this, I knew when I started buying Opeth albums around the
end of 2002-early 2003, that Blackwater Park was a fan favorite. For
good reason.

Tom

tom_b

I do have a few standard questions. How many Opeth albums have you
heard? Are you a recent convert?
Because I have a general theory that is being supported by opinions
of several fans I talk to. That theory is this new album isn't a spot
on the older ones. Meaning, it's just not thought of as a good album.
So if you are a long time fan, have all the CD's from the begining,
no matter when you actually bought them, this album probably won't
ring your bell. If you have only recently heard of them, (Since
Deliverance-Damnation, or the tours in support of those albums, and
haven't heard the albums before, you probably think this is great.
To me, this album is their Demolition. It makes 66 minutes feel like
90, and that's never a good thing.

Tom

srbundy@webtvnet the

I have all of Opeth's releases, and would easily place Black Water Park
at the top, followed by Still Life and Deliverence, respectively, to
round out my top three.

Scott

dt lemons 1900 yeahright

Although BWP was their first push into the mainstream of metal, I would put
it at the bottom. Still Life, is the very top, followed by Orchid. I like
this new album but yet again why do these bands seem to mellow with age.

dt lemons 1900 yeahright

I really like how Beneath the Mire bleeds into Atonement.

kevin

Im suprised to hear you say this. I have quite a few Opeth cd's and I
like this one much more then the boring acoustic cd.

ritchie

DITTO!

ritchie

Its usually do to maturity. I am not saying that they are immature at the
beginning but with time they get tired of writing the same thing album
after album and changes occur over the years.

dt lemons 1900 yeahright

I kind of think it's because they get more comfortable as they make more
money. At first they are struggling hard and more than likely life itself
is a bit more difficult. As they make more and more money and afford nicer
things and nicer homers and cars they have less to be angry or aggressive
about. I think this mellow people out.

tom_b

Surprised to hear me say it isn't good? How many times have I said
here what it was I liked about almost any album I really like, and
when I don't like an album what is it I usually say?
All in all, after about 5 listens, it's easily the Demolition album
for Opeth. Nothing really grabs me, and it makes it's 66 minutes feel
like 90.
The parts in the playing that I like are spread out much more than
ever before.
And if you think the acoustic CD is boring, then that's fine. No one
can make anyone else think differently about something, only just give
their opinions and maybe make someone think differently next time they
hazard a listen to the album.
As for the one with the comment about BWP sounding more mainstream,
or was it moving more into the mainstream metal? I think this new
album sounds very mainstream with what passes as metal these days.
BWP has a timeless sound about it, if you ask me.

Tom