Opeth is one of the most amazing bands that I have ever listened to. They’re definitely heavier than most of the other bands I have written about or will write about, but they also have one of the best clean sounds that I have EVER heard.
Band Members:
Mikael Åkerfeldt -Vocals, guitar
Martín Méndez -bass
Martin Axenrot -drums
Fredrik Åkesson -guitar, backing vocals
Joakim Svalberg -keyboards, vocals, percussion
Watershed is my favorite album by them. It was released around the time that Mikael Åkerfeldt was going through a darker time in his life, so this album is definitely darker. Heir Apparent and The Lotus Eater are my two favorite songs off that album, followed closely by Hex Omega.
I feel like this band doesn’t get as much recognition as it deserves. They are one of the best progressive metal bands that I have ever listened to. They are from Sweden and are influenced by bands like Celtic Frost, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest. In fact Mikael Åkerfeldt’s favorite Judas Priest album is Sad Wings of Destiny. They have a pretty big discography and if you’re just getting into them I recommend starting with Still Life or Watershed.
Another great song that is worth a listen is To Bid You Farewell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm5jDbhMqEA
“I don’t see the point of playing in a band and going just one way when you can do everything. It would be impossible for us to play just death metal; that is our roots, but we are now a mishmash of everything, and not purists to any form of music. It’s impossible for us to do that, and quite frankly I would think of it as boring to be in a band that plays just metal music. We’re not afraid to experiment, or to be caught with our pants down, so to speak. That’s what keeps us going.” ~Mikael Åkerfeldt~
One thing that I really like about Opeth is that they are dedicated to the music they play. They aren’t in it for the money, they write music they love to play and they do a damn fine job of it.
Discography:
Orchid (1995)
Morningrise (1996)
My Arms, Your Hearse (1998)
Still Life (1999)
Blackwater Park (2001)
Deliverance (2002)
Damnation (2003)
Ghost Reveries (2005)
Watershed (2008)
Heritage (2011)
My favorite part about the band is the constant switching between the types of guitar. Songs like Burden or The Lotus Eater switch between classical guitars (nylon strings,) to electric guitar, to acoustic guitar. If I could sing (which I cant) I would want to have Åkerfedt’s voice. He has a pure voice, great range, and even his metal vocals are flawless. The drumming is absolutely fantastic as well. The drum fills and transitions are mind blowing and the technical difficulty of Martian Axenrot’s drumming I think rivals that of John Bonham (my favorite rock drummer.) [That’s a bold comparison and I’m not even worried about it.]
The band wouldn’t be the same without the guitarists (go figure…), but let me be more specific. Åkerfeldt’s writing and masterful playing combined with their old guitarists or Fredrik Åkesson’s equally masterful playing (on Watershed) makes the band. They have a really unique sound and that is due in a large way to the guitarists.
There isn’t really a great and accurate way for me to describe this band in writing. I can play To Bid You Farewell, but unfortunately I don’t have the time or materials to record it and post it to this blog, so I encourage you to give them a good listen. Not just one listen, but ALL THE LISTENS. This is really a phenomenal band and I hope you all enjoy their music as much as I do.
Links!
Windowpane [Live] (The Roundhouse Tapes)
Black Rose Immortal (Morningrise)
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