JRRZZ blog

These words might sound a little overdone, but words can’t really describe this album. And it’s true, for a change.

On the third of June Watershed was released to the general public. Of course I went to Amsterdam to receive it from the gods themselves. My brother got his guitar signed and we both got our collectors edition albums signed.

The number of Opeth fans has increased dramatically since Ghost Reveries back in 2005. I bet more than a hundred fans turned up to get something signed or to just shake hands with it’s creators. And as I’ve expected, most of them are the regular prog metal fans. Open minded people with a vast musical knowledge.

The album is something completely new. Something Opeth has done with every release, but this time they’ve evolved into something completely new. The lineup is vastly different from the Damnation/Deliverance era. A new drummer has joined the band after Martin Lopez left because of his condition. Martin “Axe” Axenrot. He’s a very friendly guy and maybe one of the best drummers I’ve ever seen. He’s right up there with Probot/QOTSA/Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl and Kataklysm drummer Max Duhamel in my opinion. Although his technique and sound are different to Martin’s, he fits right in. He makes up for the loss of Latin percussion by offering superior blast beats and sharp snare drum riffs. As many of us fans still regret, Peter Lindgren has left the band due to personal issues. Fredrik Åkesson of Arch Enemy fame has replaced Peter. Fredrik is a real Technical Death Metal guitarist and he, as he stated in the DVD’s interview, had to learn how to play the mellow acoustic parts from Mikael after joining the band. You can clearly notice the new Technical Death Metal influences in this album, but it’s not right on the surface. The album isn’t a second Deliverance. Per Wiberg, who joined the band after Ghost Reveries was released, is now a full-time member. For the people who don’t know, Per is the guy playing the keyboards and backing vocals. The new album includes more of his handiwork and resulted in an even more progressive edge to this album. I think his contribution isn’t only that of a keyboard player, but he also functions as a source of inspiration and new ideas. Like Porcupine Tree’s Steve Wilson was during the Deliverance and Damnation recordings. This is also Opeth’s first self-produced album. Oh, I almost forgot, Axe’s girlfriend, Nathalie Lorichs, lets her beautiful voice shine in one of the songs. I’d really like to hear more of her in future Opeth songs and I’d really like to hear her perform live.

As I said at the start of this post, I can’t really describe the album’s contents. It’s just great. It features the stuff you can expect from a band like Opeth. 10+ minute long songs with mood and tempo swings, mellow parts and brutal Death Metal. A great use of both electric and acoustic guitars, supported by keyboard magic and stunning drums. Luckily Martin Mendez hasn’t lost his touch so you’re also guaranteed to hear one of the best bass players in the world do his thing on this album. But even the most devoted Opeth fan has to get used to this new album. Opeth has evolved and I’m sure most of the fans will follow. I know I will.

And while I’m at it I’d like to point out two other new albums worth checking out. Korpiklaani, the Finnish Folk Metal band, has released another album called Korven Kuningas. They haven’t changed a bit, so if you didn’t like them in the past you won’t like them now. Also, Kataklysm has released a new album called Prevail. It’s definitely worth checking out if you like speedier Morbid Angel-like Death Metal.

Tags: Music //