Today marks the day that one of progressive metal’s most lauded musicians was born. Giving the metal community the absolute masterpieces that are Blackwater Park, Still Life, My Arms Your Hearse and not to mention Ghost Reveries, which the band will be touring all over the world in support of it seems. Though one date at London’s Palladium is set for an October performance. Having been ten years since the record was released, what a fantastic way to commemorate the album.
I remember listening to the album myself, having never heard Opeth‘s material before and immediately latching onto the thought that this is something else entirely. Melding metal, folk and now classic prog, Opeth have an ability to create some of the most atmospheric metal there has been! So why not celebrate with a list of five top Opeth songs, though there are oh so truly phenomenal tracks the band have put out!
“When” – My Arms, Your Hearse
A beautifully lachrymose concept album, Opeth were beginning to craft their now inimitable sound. Originally coming from the more black metal oriented roots with slight melodic death metal tendencies, My Arms, Your Hearse was the firs time that we were shown that Opeth sound. A classic track from the album, which not only has a rightful home in the bands lauded setlist selection but represents the true beginning of the Opeth we all now know, or perhaps not since their departure to the land of prog rock! A fantastic dirge, casting murky shadows in a ghostlike forest, perfect for the frosty winter months.
“The Funeral Portrait” – Blackwater Park
Though I’m sure to get some flack for choosing this song over the countless other classics, personally it has always had that driving force that is synonymous with Opeth. Not only being veiled in melancholy like all their work, but the riff in the verse is more of a classic rock sort of feel, the triumphant stride before the more icey second section of the verse leaning more towards Opeth’s love of black metal. It also highlights the driving sense behind the band, though they might be a work of art that takes a long time to truly appreciate when that steamroller riff comes in there’s nothing that makes you want to bang your head more. The acoustic introduction alone is pregnant with slight menace, truly genius.
“Windowpane” – Damnation
Just as the band can be an all out attack, so can they retain a refined approach. Releasing both Deliverance and Damnation almost together, we saw the different facets of Opeth‘s psyche able to comfortably flex their respective muscles. Always known for their beautiful use of clean guitar and Akerfeldts haunting vocals “Windowpane” truly stands alone. People have criticized the album stating that much of the material does tend to sound the same though personally I commend the band for doing something as daring as a double album polarising both genres of the band. A perfect breather mid way through a set and just right for those Autumn treks travelling, looking at the ghostly presence in the distance. Or the jam packed traffic in London…
“Ghost of Perdition” – Ghost Reveries
This song will always hold a soft spot for me personally. It was the first song that I had ever heard by the band, ashamed to say back in the heyday of Limewire, this, along with Cradle Of Filth was the first thing that I had ever downloaded. It was absolutely mind boggling how there could have been such diversity in the music yet retain the same musky scent of sadness and a slight sense of threat. Utilising unorthodox chords, time signatures and song structures Opeth truly came into their own with Ghost Reveries. When asked the all important question of “what is your favourite Opeth album?”. Many a time I remember back to when I was 16 and first heard those opening strums, the ethereal vocal midsection that all important solo and its a no brainer.
“Deliverance” – Deliverance
However, whilst listening more and more to the band I was beginning to work backwards from their catalogue and I am ashamed to say that it took me a very long time to get to Deliverance. One of the heaviest albums the band has ever put out, though the album itself is full of absolute fist in the air ragers, that truly solidify their status as firmly in the metal category, gold goes to title track. The vicious opening, melding with the nonchalant mid sections and that all important final set piece which all Opeth fans are humming after the band finish performing. Provided of course they play it! Truly one of the most magnificent songs in death metal, though the same can be said for so many more tracks that we could add here, choice cuts like “The Moor” off Still Life or the sepia tinged “Hessian Peel” even the total out there jazz freak out that was Heritage has knock out tracks. Which brings us to the present, releasing their brand new album Pale Communion last year the band have not only remained true to themselves but show despite naysayers they are not afraid to go exactly where they want to and THAT is what Opeth‘s ethos is all about.
What songs to you love listening to from this incredible band? Whatever you listen to do yourself a favour today and jam some Opeth!!
