Orchid (1995)
Release date: May 1, 1995
Length: 65:31Tracklist:Bold denotes bonus track.1. "In Mist She Was Standing"
2. "Under the Weeping Moon"
3. "Silhouette" (Instrumental)
4. "Forest of October"
5. "The Twilight Is My Robe"
6. "Requiem" (Instrumental)
7. "The Apostle in Triumph"
8. "Into the Frost of Winter"Personnel:Mikael Åkerfeldt – lead vocals, guitar (except on "Silhouette")
Peter Lindgren – guitar (except on "Silhouette")
Anders Nordin – drums, percussion, piano on "Silhouette"
Johan De Farfalla – bass guitar (except on "Into the Frost of Winter" and "Silhouette"), backing vocals
Recorded: March–April 1994, UnisoundGenre: Progressive black metal, Progressive death metalLabel: Candlelight, Century BlackProducer: Opeth, Dan Swanö
History / BackgroundOrchid is the debut album by Swedish heavy metal band Opeth, released on May 1, 1995, in Europe by Candlelight Records, and on June 24, 1997, in the United States by Century Black. It was reissued in 2000 with one bonus track called "Into the Frost of Winter", an early unproduced rehearsal recording by the band. The recording sessions occurred at the old Unisound studio, in Finspång, between March and April 1994. Opeth produced alongside Dan Swanö. The band did not record a demo to get signed to a record label. Lee Barrett, the founder of Candlelight Records, enjoyed an Opeth rehearsal tape, and decided to sign the band. The album was well-received critically, even being called "unique".
MusicThe music in Orchid combines elements influenced by progressive rock and acoustics pieces of folk music to the black metal scream and the death metal growl, as well having clean vocals. It also contains influences from jazz and melodic passages played by a piano and acoustic guitars. Critics described the sound of the album as it being "unique". Jim Raggi wrote "If you're wanting the more deathy and song oriented Opeth, skip down to My Arms, Your Hearse and go from there. If you're looking for a unique journey of music built alternately around dual guitar harmonies knocking into sequences when the two guitars and the bass are all playing different parts, stop-start transitions at times and smooth here-to-theres at others, here you go."
"Orchid" begins with "In Mist She Was Standing." The first thing you will notice about this song will be the riff that hits you in the face. Mikael's brutal growl immediately starts and apart for clean whispering vocals, there are no traces of clean vocal singing. The first acoustic passage features Johan, the bass player's bassline that stays prominent throughout the part. After, Mikael unleashes brutal shrieks and ends with a harsh whisper as a prominent riff plays throughout the ending. The climax and build up into the ending and the beautiful acoustic section in the end, makes this song a strong contender for this album.
"Under the Weeping Moon" is definitely an interesting song and was my favorite on this album for the longest time. The song begins with an acoustic passage, then Mikael's growls come in. What comes after, pleases me and I find to be the highlight of the song. Mikael's growl trails off and follows a mysteriously haunting acoustic passage. After repeated acoustic guitar work, a mysterious noise enters. It is like static and combined with Nordin's amazing drum work, you can feel the intense pressure. After, the entire band comes to life and Mikael comes with the arguably strongest growl in this album and then the instruments fade and Mikael's clean vocals enters. That, I would have to say is another highlight of this song.
A piano instrumental song enters. At first, I was shocked. Who could be playing the piano? I had thought it was Mikael Akerfeldt, but it was actually the drummer, Anders Nordin. This song is nothing extravagant and flashy, but for me is a nice break between two intense, intense songs.
The next song that enters is "Forest of October". For me, this song is the most easily forgettable song, but still a great song nonetheless. What starts the song is a melodious riffing that really draws you in. His clean vocals in the beginner of FoO really grabs me in. Around 6:32, another really catchy riff peeks its face out and amongst the silence of the other instruments, it really is a nice music to behold.
A dark, shattering riff pierces the night, and you know this song will be badass, but in the midst of that, there are incredible acoustic sections and clean vocals that make you just...sigh. Here it is, the magnum opus (to me) of this album, "The Twilight is My Robe." The bass work in this song is just incredible and the acoustic passage in here is arguably one of the best from this album. Mikael's clean vocals here is also my favorite as he really sets the mood in this song.
"Requiem" is a very short instrumental piece. Nothing too special about this baby, only that due to mixing errors, the ending of Requiem has been placed at the beginning of the next song, "The Apostle in Triumph", which is a shame because the piece is the definite highlight as you hear bass, guitars, and percussion, filling your ears.
Last but not least is "The Apostle in Triumph." It starts out with some of the coolest acoustic riffs I've ever heard. After a short break, it comes back with some laid back electric instruments. The song is made heavy soley by Mike's voice. But the music itself is relatively soft, and really nice sounding. I really love Mikael's guitar volume swells towards the middle of the song. I first mistakenly thought it was a violin, because to me it sure sounded like it, but ? told me that it was a guitar swell. Johan and Anders are really nice at supporting Mikael while he is doing the swells.
My ThoughtsThe first two albums aren't well liked by most people, but I think they are absolutely stellar. Mikael Akerfeld utilizes more of a shriek, but starting from My Arms, his growls turn deeper and deeper. I think Orchid is a really stellar, debut album for Opeth and has been only one of the only debut album that I have loved. Most debut albums for me a real lacker.
Personally, my ranking for this album is:
1. The Twilight Is My Robe
2. Under the Weeping Moon
3. The Apostle in Triumph
4. In Mist She Was Standing
5. Forest of October
6. Silhouette
7. Requiem
Overall, this album is very decent for a starter album and has warmed my soul because this was the very first Opeth album I had listened to and loved.
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