I get that everybody has their side of the band they gravitate toward. I personally was drawn into the softer side of the band but it was “Garden of the Titans” that unlocked appreciation of the whole. I have about a dozen CDs from both eras and the thing is I can’t think of a single one I don’t enjoy.
Very nice review! I come with the strong prog background and Thick as a brick is one of my favorite albumn. I have not listen Opeth much before I have only Damnation album. However I have lately listen much of Ghost reveries and I just bought that album together with the new album. I love the new album! While it is combining the Opeth eras I think it also combines my personal music preferences. 😅
That's an interesting thought - to have been introduced to this band via Heritage. I fall in the camp of haters of that release (but still bought it because Opeth's worst is better than most group's best). I'm still wrapping my head around TLWAT...I wish it were longer, with some more room to breathe, while also being eternally grateful for anything these guys give us after all these years.
@@bryanmack5410 I may have heard Damnation first but Heritage was the first I bought on day of release. In preparation for this review, I went back and heard a lot of the death metal classics so you could say both of those were my gateway into Opeth appreciation. I still think Heritage is my favorite of theirs, though.
The postman still hasn't delivered my blu-ray😭so I've only streamed the album but I also applaud them releasing an affordable multi channel mix. I like the album and 100% agree that Opeth are a 'special' band but that means I hold them to high standards and I don't agree that there's not much to criticise . The concept is interesting in theory but in practice I feel it comprises the end product. For example, I defy anyone with no prior knowledge of the storyline to listen to the album and tell me what that actual storyline is. And what's the point in Ian Anderson 'progressing' the storyline with his spoken parts if he's too low in the mix to be clearly heard? (around 1:30 into track 2 for example). I'd also argue that the storyline being a narrative make it harder to incorporate vocal melodies and hooks. Although I really like their last few albums, particularly In Cauda Venenum, I'd argue that at times they lack the dynamics of some of their earlier albums, so I like the fact that this album is more 'dynamic' and never boring but so far I'm feeling that perhaps it's too dynamic. It's almost schizophrenic in the way that few sections last more than a few bars before moving on to the next section. Perhaps your use of the word 'frenetic' is more appropriate. I wish they'd allowed more parts to develop rather than rush to the next section. Having said that, many folks accuse A Passion Play of being almost frenetic and I love that album so perhaps I just need to give this Opeth album more listens to fully appreciate it. Perhaps the frenetic nature of the first 7 tracks is also why I find the closing track underwhelming. Although it adds a twist to the storyline and therefore has its part in the overall concept it closes the album with a whimper rather than a bang. Perhaps it's just me, but that doesn't make me immediately want to hit 'play' again and listen to the album again (whereas for example, Operation Mindcrime does). Anyway, sorry for waffling on so much sir. I enjoyed your review, and despite my criticisms I'm enjoying The Last Will And Testament too. Can't wait to hear the multi channel version and catch the band live at the end of February🤪
@@terrywalker8446 “I defy anyone with no prior knowledge to tell me what the storyline is” - I agree, but Mikael also says in the doc that he’s not too concerned about the meaning in the end and oftentimes he just chooses words that sound good when sung. I don’t think it’s super important to appreciating the album but it’s there if you want to dive deeper? I agree that Ian’s spoken word bits in Paragraph 2 are nearly inaudible, the blu ray does allow you to read the lyrics while listening which is a blessing. In many ways this album took me back to pouring over the lyrics to “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” and “A Passion Play” over my first couple of listens.
@ If Mikael said he's 'not too concerned with the meaning and just chooses words which sound good when sung' doesn't that defeat the object of creating a concept album? I've got to cut him some slack though as English isn't his native tongue. I struggle to write poetry in English, so if I had to write song lyrics in Swedish it would make Mikeael's lyrics look like Shakespeare 🤭
Great review. My wife ordered this for me for Xmas. I've listened to most of it on UA-cam love it. Not a huge fan of cookie monster vocals ....but everything is so strong on this album that I'm overlooking it. I'm a huge Tull fan....so glad Ian Anderson is on this album. He also played flute on a song from one of my favorite bands a Canadian band called Honeymoon Suite it's on their Big Prize album... anyway I agree with your assessment of Ian... don't like what he did with Tull but whatever. Anyway great video.
Great review. I really like the Dolby mix though I only have a standard 5.1 setup. The album ist pure Opeth. Btw: The vinyl versions sound great too - 45 rpm!
Atmis? it's Atmos! Hey do you have to buy the digi pack to get the Dolby Atmos version? Or is in on the single CD? Can't seem to find info on that anywhere!!! Thanks!!
I would like to hear more about the system you listened to the Atmos mix on. Seems that many people don’t understand what one needs as a system for the appropriate appreciation of a musical surround mix. A microphone based calibration of time delays and speaker matching is necessary IMO. Some call it room correction which is a misnomer, it’s a correction for speaker placement and potentially EQ. If everything is ideal, the same signal will combine coherently at the listener.
@@Radarcb329 hi ! Yes, my system is fully calibrated. Here’s a video I made on my system awhile back. ua-cam.com/video/fRzQb2KUz8M/v-deo.htmlsi=8gViKsABtk5d0Efy
It sounds to me that they have gone backwards, done all this before. The difference is the tracks are shorter, have less development, less focus, less of everything but crammed in. Not impressed.
Ditto. I'm a long time Opeth fan and after Heritage the only album I really came around to like was ICV. I thought this one would be a mix of that and their old style, but it really isn't. It's intersting, heady, and sophisticated as you would expect from Opeth this far into their career, but after mulitple listens, it just hasn't landed for me. Sure, it's satisfing intellectually, but just doesn't seem to register in the heart/body, soul for me, if that makes sense. I feel let down and to a large degree in the minority as most YT reviewers seem over the moon for it.
@@databloom70 Yes, think it depends on when you came in. Longer term fans have heard it all before, better done. It's a disappointment for me, first one from Opeth as I like the prog side of things. I worried this might be the last Opeth I get, that's even if I bother as I haven't actually purchased it yet and having listened several times now, I not that bothered about it. I have all the others so probably will at some point but I'm in no rush. Very disappointed but most artists run out of new ideas eventually.
I like it, but it does seem to be like stepping back. The growls didn't need to come back imo. The new drummer is great. I hope it grows on me, but I doubt it.
Too much of everything. Mathematics Metal or Metal Jazz. And why didnt they use Joey Tempest more to take care of that missed piece which is a strong hard rock vocal. Sorry. 😊
I get that everybody has their side of the band they gravitate toward. I personally was drawn into the softer side of the band but it was “Garden of the Titans” that unlocked appreciation of the whole. I have about a dozen CDs from both eras and the thing is I can’t think of a single one I don’t enjoy.
Very nice review! I come with the strong prog background and Thick as a brick is one of my favorite albumn. I have not listen Opeth much before I have only Damnation album. However I have lately listen much of Ghost reveries and I just bought that album together with the new album. I love the new album!
While it is combining the Opeth eras I think it also combines my personal music preferences. 😅
@@omenatollo on Monday I’m releasing a video recommending Opeth albums to Tull fans, you might like to subscribe so you don’t miss it 😊
Loved it! Took me a few listens and it grew on me. The best album since Watershed. I rate it 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Not a huge Opeth fan, but I'll give you a subscribe for the Stand Up carpet on your wall! And this was a really good review, too. Nicely done!
@@richardstuebe9807 thanks ! I probably talk about Tull more than any other band, check out some of my previous videos when you have time
Not a band I listen to but I enjoy your videos. Thanks for the good work, Ian.
@@Phlakaton88 I think you’d enjoy this one
That's an interesting thought - to have been introduced to this band via Heritage. I fall in the camp of haters of that release (but still bought it because Opeth's worst is better than most group's best). I'm still wrapping my head around TLWAT...I wish it were longer, with some more room to breathe, while also being eternally grateful for anything these guys give us after all these years.
@@bryanmack5410 I may have heard Damnation first but Heritage was the first I bought on day of release. In preparation for this review, I went back and heard a lot of the death metal classics so you could say both of those were my gateway into Opeth appreciation. I still think Heritage is my favorite of theirs, though.
I love the album. I wish I had a proper system to listen to it though
Hey Ian. Great video. Nice review, info and insight. Cheers
Big fan of Opeth, ty for the video! :)
The postman still hasn't delivered my blu-ray😭so I've only streamed the album but I also applaud them releasing an affordable multi channel mix.
I like the album and 100% agree that Opeth are a 'special' band but that means I hold them to high standards and I don't agree that there's not much to criticise .
The concept is interesting in theory but in practice I feel it comprises the end product. For example, I defy anyone with no prior knowledge of the storyline to listen to the album and tell me what that actual storyline is. And what's the point in Ian Anderson 'progressing' the storyline with his spoken parts if he's too low in the mix to be clearly heard? (around 1:30 into track 2 for example). I'd also argue that the storyline being a narrative make it harder to incorporate vocal melodies and hooks.
Although I really like their last few albums, particularly In Cauda Venenum, I'd argue that at times they lack the dynamics of some of their earlier albums, so I like the fact that this album is more 'dynamic' and never boring but so far I'm feeling that perhaps it's too dynamic. It's almost schizophrenic in the way that few sections last more than a few bars before moving on to the next section. Perhaps your use of the word 'frenetic' is more appropriate. I wish they'd allowed more parts to develop rather than rush to the next section. Having said that, many folks accuse A Passion Play of being almost frenetic and I love that album so perhaps I just need to give this Opeth album more listens to fully appreciate it.
Perhaps the frenetic nature of the first 7 tracks is also why I find the closing track underwhelming. Although it adds a twist to the storyline and therefore has its part in the overall concept it closes the album with a whimper rather than a bang. Perhaps it's just me, but that doesn't make me immediately want to hit 'play' again and listen to the album again (whereas for example, Operation Mindcrime does).
Anyway, sorry for waffling on so much sir. I enjoyed your review, and despite my criticisms I'm enjoying The Last Will And Testament too. Can't wait to hear the multi channel version and catch the band live at the end of February🤪
@@terrywalker8446 “I defy anyone with no prior knowledge to tell me what the storyline is” - I agree, but Mikael also says in the doc that he’s not too concerned about the meaning in the end and oftentimes he just chooses words that sound good when sung. I don’t think it’s super important to appreciating the album but it’s there if you want to dive deeper?
I agree that Ian’s spoken word bits in Paragraph 2 are nearly inaudible, the blu ray does allow you to read the lyrics while listening which is a blessing. In many ways this album took me back to pouring over the lyrics to “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” and “A Passion Play” over my first couple of listens.
@
If Mikael said he's 'not too concerned with the meaning and just chooses words which sound good when sung' doesn't that defeat the object of creating a concept album? I've got to cut him some slack though as English isn't his native tongue. I struggle to write poetry in English, so if I had to write song lyrics in Swedish it would make Mikeael's lyrics look like Shakespeare 🤭
Great review. My wife ordered this for me for Xmas. I've listened to most of it on UA-cam love it. Not a huge fan of cookie monster vocals ....but everything is so strong on this album that I'm overlooking it. I'm a huge Tull fan....so glad Ian Anderson is on this album. He also played flute on a song from one of my favorite bands a Canadian band called Honeymoon Suite it's on their Big Prize album... anyway I agree with your assessment of Ian... don't like what he did with Tull but whatever. Anyway great video.
Great review. I really like the Dolby mix though I only have a standard 5.1 setup. The album ist pure Opeth. Btw: The vinyl versions sound great too - 45 rpm!
Atmis? it's Atmos! Hey do you have to buy the digi pack to get the Dolby Atmos version? Or is in on the single CD? Can't seem to find info on that anywhere!!! Thanks!!
@@doyouluvit it’s available on the CD / Bluray version, single cd version does not include atmos.
@@ShedSoundsMediawithIanBeabout thanks dude!!!
good honest review of the atmosphere mix. Shame Steven Wilson wasn’t involved
Opeth is the new Tull
I would like to hear more about the system you listened to the Atmos mix on. Seems that many people don’t understand what one needs as a system for the appropriate appreciation of a musical surround mix. A microphone based calibration of time delays and speaker matching is necessary IMO. Some call it room correction which is a misnomer, it’s a correction for speaker placement and potentially EQ. If everything is ideal, the same signal will combine coherently at the listener.
@@Radarcb329 hi ! Yes, my system is fully calibrated. Here’s a video I made on my system awhile back.
ua-cam.com/video/fRzQb2KUz8M/v-deo.htmlsi=8gViKsABtk5d0Efy
@ Thanks , I put a comment in about your system being a 5.1.2 system.
@ you’re right
I stopped listening to Opeth when they went on the Spinal Tap-ish jazz odyssey. The new album is their very best.
@@Micas099 I don’t agree but that’s such a great reference I’ll allow it. :-)
Same, post Watershed was sad minus some of In cauda
It sounds to me that they have gone backwards, done all this before. The difference is the tracks are shorter, have less development, less focus, less of everything but crammed in. Not impressed.
Your ears suck. 😂
I echo that, thanks for backing me up.. lol
Ditto. I'm a long time Opeth fan and after Heritage the only album I really came around to like was ICV. I thought this one would be a mix of that and their old style, but it really isn't. It's intersting, heady, and sophisticated as you would expect from Opeth this far into their career, but after mulitple listens, it just hasn't landed for me. Sure, it's satisfing intellectually, but just doesn't seem to register in the heart/body, soul for me, if that makes sense. I feel let down and to a large degree in the minority as most YT reviewers seem over the moon for it.
@@databloom70 Yes, think it depends on when you came in. Longer term fans have heard it all before, better done. It's a disappointment for me, first one from Opeth as I like the prog side of things. I worried this might be the last Opeth I get, that's even if I bother as I haven't actually purchased it yet and having listened several times now, I not that bothered about it. I have all the others so probably will at some point but I'm in no rush. Very disappointed but most artists run out of new ideas eventually.
I like it, but it does seem to be like stepping back. The growls didn't need to come back imo.
The new drummer is great.
I hope it grows on me, but I doubt it.
Too much of everything. Mathematics Metal or Metal Jazz. And why didnt they use Joey Tempest more to take care of that missed piece which is a strong hard rock vocal. Sorry. 😊