Here is my review of the recent show at the Sydney Opera House;
Yes Opeth’s highly anticipated gig at the world famous Sydney Opera House.
Their 4th and final special night of Opeth’s 'Sorceress, Damnation and Deliverance' played during the current world tour.
Until two weeks ago I was not going to this sold out show, but I just happened to arrange to meet a complete stranger (arranged through MP.com forum) on the night, hand over $150AU (the most expensive concert ticket I’ve ever purchased) and viola!
I had no idea about the setlist, though I was secretly praying that the boring retro 1970’s prog rock from the last 3 albums would be kept to a minimum.
I surprised myself by how much I enjoyed the newer material, given that when Opeth played here 2 years ago I walked out halfway though.
The sound was pretty good, but what really stood out was MA clean vocals, they sounded magnificent, the acoustics of the venue made his voice sore to heights that I have never heard before.
His growls however were not so good, buried very low in the mix, it was obvious that he had lost a lot of power, and for most almost inaudible, with the music drowning them out. Whether this was deliberate, I don’t know, but I would guess yes it was?
MA was in fine form, clean vocals, guitar playing and of course his legendary in between song banter and interaction with the crowd.
The rest of the band sounded pretty good, Frederik got a couple of solo’s, Mendez bass was inaudible all night and Axe drumming was ferocious.
All up a great night, possibly the first ever (death) metal band to play the Sydney Opera House, definitely the first death metal growls ever heard in the hallowed halls.
Setlist:
Sorceress
Ghost of Perdition
Demon of the Fall
The Wilde Flowers
Face of Melinda
The Devil's Orchard
Cusp of Eternity
Heir Apparent
The Drapery Falls
Windowpane
Death Whispered a Lullaby
Mikael then joked about Steven Wilson's lyric royalties and played the intro of 'Storm Corrosion'
In My Time of Need
Closure
Master's Apprentices
By the Pain I See in Others
Deliverance