Opeth – Ghost Reveries

Needing absolutely no introduction Opeth are firmly rooted as one of death metals most forward thinking acts. With mastermind Mikael Akerfeldt in charge every release they have put out from the black metal roots of Morningrise to their quintessential Blackwater Park and even now their controversial move to progressive rock with the essential Pale Communion. Ghost Reveries is the sound of a band that has no doubts. Being one of the heaviest albums Opeth has written from the opening chords of the haunting (no pun intended) Ghost of Perdition and the streamline transition to the epic “The Baying of The Hounds” effortlessly gliding through the album, the listener is totally absorbed.

What some might think are lack luster moments of clean guitar would make the album defunct. Slowly building up an anticipation until it’s fever pitch and the band truly transcend with the Arabian style of “Atonement” leading us into the dirge of “Reverie/Harlequin Forest“, with ethereal leads,jazz influenced drumming and Akerfeldts inimitable voice Opeth truly give a performance of a lifetime. With the now classic “The Grand Conjugation” being one of the best songs the band have written to date and being a staple in their live set and a real set piece for the album. Then just as the record began it returns to nothing. The absolute paragon of songwriting and modest musicianship. Phenomenal.