The official Opeth thread v. In Cauda Venenum

[?]

I got my digital advance copy of Sorceress today! My first impression is that it's a pretty diverse album and Mikael's singing is more varied than ever, since there's both more falsetto and rasp than before. I'll write a review in a week or two after I've listened to it enough to give a fair judgement.

[Mosh]

a fair judgement.

heh

[fadetoblackdude7]

Sweet! I can't wait to hear this album!

[twosuitsluke]

I got my digital advance copy of Sorceress today! My first impression is that it's a pretty diverse album and Mikael's singing is more varied than ever, since there's both more falsetto and rasp than before. I'll write a review in a week or two after I've listened to it enough to give a fair judgement.

How do you have a copy already? Pretty jealous.

[Tomislav95]

I have to say Will O the Wish really have grown on me, I even like it more than the Sorceress. Really classy ballad, can't wait to hear more of it.

[?]

a fair judgement.

heh

How could I say no to a perfect pun?

How do you have a copy already? Pretty jealous.

I write reviews for a music website so I get to hear a lot of albums before they get released.

[twosuitsluke]

How do you have a copy already? Pretty jealous.

I write reviews for a music website so I get to hear a lot of albums before they get released.

Ok, fair enough. I'm slightly less jealous.....only slightly though 

[Scar]

Just relistened to By The Pain I See In Others.
Love it very much. Top 2 in Deliverance. Its a really solid strong and features one of my most favorite Mikael clean vocals and his screams with, "RISE TO SUBMISSION!" and "Outside in the park...." So freaking haunting.

A perfect song really.

[Big Hath]

I love that song!

although if memory serves correct that's more of a "controversial opinion" around these parts

[Zantera]

I think it's a great song and an underrated one, but still the weakest out of the long numbers on Deliverace. Title track is probably the best Opeth song, A Fair Judgement is their best "ballad", Master's Apprentices is amazing and Wreath destroys everything in its way. BtPiSiO is still a great track, just falls short of the other awesome ones.

[Ben_Jamin]

A Fair Judgement is awesome. I love the Lamentations version.

[seasonsinthesky]

I think it's a great song and an underrated one, but still the weakest out of the long numbers on Deliverace. Title track is probably the best Opeth song, A Fair Judgement is their best "ballad", Master's Apprentices is amazing and Wreath destroys everything in its way. BtPiSiO is still a great track, just falls short of the other awesome ones.

I'd actually call "Wreath" the weak link. That isn't to say I don't love it – I do! I swear! – but it's a poor opener and the middle section goes on WAY too long. In fact, if they'd edited that down, I'd have no complaints.

BTPISIO is great but a bit of a mish-mash in the middle, like they were throwing curveballs just because, rather than doing what the piece itself was dictating. I suppose that sorta describes the way most of Deliverance was written, though, save AFJ and MA. I like it better as an opener than "Wreath" because of the cool intro.

[ChuckSteak]

Wreath kicks ass. It is a punch in the face as album opener.

[?]

Deliverance is easily my least favorite Opeth album, though the title-track and Master's Apprentices are two of their best songs ever. Wreath and AFJ are alright but overstay their welcome, and BTPISIO is a bit of a mess with some good parts and some bad stuff. It feels like Mikael tried to write a heavy album, but he didn't have enough quality metal riffs so he ended up repeating the ones that he had ad nauseam. Damnation sounds so much more genuine and natural to my ears.

Btw this discussion reminded me that 9:50 in Wreath is one of the biggest musical teases ever, because that gorgeous acoustic bit could've been expanded on or even become a song of its own.

[seasonsinthesky]

Btw this discussion reminded me that 9:50 in Wreath is one of the biggest musical teases ever, because that gorgeous acoustic bit could've been expanded on or even become a song of its own.

Totally! The heavy bit in the middle repeats too much but the acoustic bit at 9:50 is far too short. Where is the balance?!

[?]

My review of Sorceress is out!

[twosuitsluke]

My review of Sorceress is out!

Nice review dude. I'm really looking forward to this one!!

[home]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9vA6dJJX-8

New song: The Wilde Flowers is out! Not sure what to think of it yet.

[?]

My review of Sorceress is out!

Nice review dude. I'm really looking forward to this one!!

Thanks, glad you liked it!

I thought Era would be the third single, because in the track-by-track breakdown Mikael said they were considering that one, but on the other hand The Wilde Flowers is a more typical Opeth song and may be easier to stomach for those who are fans already.

[Randaran]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9vA6dJJX-8

New song: The Wilde Flowers is out! Not sure what to think of it yet.

On first listen, this is easily my favorite of the three songs released so far.

[twosuitsluke]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9vA6dJJX-8

New song: The Wilde Flowers is out! Not sure what to think of it yet.

On first listen, this is easily my favorite of the three songs released so far.

I agree that on first listen this was my favourite. I have probably only listened to the other two songs 2-3 times each but Sorceress is a very close 2nd. I try not to listen any more than that though as I hate getting a new album and already feeling bored of one of the songs. I just get a feel then wait to hear the album in full!!

This is shaping up to be the best release since Watershed 

[fadetoblackdude7]

That was an awesome song! I really dig what Mikael is doing with his vocals, and that guitar solo!!

[PixelDream]

Ok that's what I'm talking about. The beat grooves hard, there's a sick guitar solo, a contemplative piece of fantasy Opeth goodness, followed by the heaviest outburst I've heard on an Opeth record since Watershed. This song is nuts on all fronts and I love the shit out of it.

[adace]

Solid song. That chorus is so catchy!

[Tomislav95]

Damn catchy! It was the first thing in my head when I woke up, I guess that's a good sign

[Zydar]

Great song, I'm pumped for this album.

[aurorablind]

YES! 

[adace]

Listened to this album a few times and I'm not very impressed.   It sounds stale and too similar to Pale Communion. The singles are really good but overall it sounds like Opeth going through the motions and not really innovating like they usually do.

Hopefully it'll grow on me but for now I'll add it to the long list of 2016 musical disappointments.

[Scorpion]

Listened to this album a few times and I'm not very impressed.   It sounds stale and too similar to Pale Communion. The singles are really good but overall it sounds like Opeth going through the motions and not really innovating like they usually do.

Hopefully it'll grow on me but for now I'll add it to the long list of 2016 musical disappointments.

If I may ask, what disappointed you this year? I've found 2016 to be an exceptionally strong year in music for me.

[adace]

Listened to this album a few times and I'm not very impressed.   It sounds stale and too similar to Pale Communion. The singles are really good but overall it sounds like Opeth going through the motions and not really innovating like they usually do.

Hopefully it'll grow on me but for now I'll add it to the long list of 2016 musical disappointments.

If I may ask, what disappointed you this year? I've found 2016 to be an exceptionally strong year in music for me.

Off the top of my head - Dream Theater, Deftones, Gojira, Katatonia, Killswitch Engage, Anthrax, Witchcraft, Explosions in the Sky, Textures, Insomnium, Alter Bridge, Amon Amarth. (Not that these bands made bad albums - just that they didn't impress me very much.)

On the other hand, the new albums from Periphery, Megadeth, Haken, Devin Townsend, Tremonti and Sabaton are all really good. Expecting a few more good ones this year too (i.e. Epica, Alcest, Animals as Leaders and Testament.)

[Scorpion]

Aside from The Astonishing, I haven't heard any of those albums so that make sense that our opinions differ. Anyway, given what I know about your tastes and the threads that you post in, I'd definitely recommend you check out the new Ihsahn album, it's probably among my Top 5 of the year and my favorite of his solo albums.

[Luoto]

Insomnium

Excuse me but Winter's Gate is brilliant. It's a head above everything else this year actually, even though 2016 hasn't really been that bad.

[adace]

Aside from The Astonishing, I haven't heard any of those albums so that make sense that our opinions differ. Anyway, given what I know about your tastes and the threads that you post in, I'd definitely recommend you check out the new Ihsahn album, it's probably among my Top 5 of the year and my favorite of his solo albums.

Only listened to that one once or twice but I definitely liked it. Gonna have to revisit it sometime.

Insomnium

Excuse me but Winter's Gate is brilliant. It's a head above everything else this year actually, even though 2016 hasn't really been that bad.

Maybe it's just because I'm not a fan of albums with a single gigantic song but I like their previous one better.

[kaos2900]

Still haven't heard a note off the new album. My expectations are not high based on how much the a last two albums didn't resonate with me. This may be the last auto buy Opeth album for me.

[Cyclopssss]

Just don't expect a metal album.