Listened to it many times already. Instant 5/5. It is a perfect blend of old and new Opeth. Extremely complex and busy tracks with a lot of instrumentation going on, superbly blended together with a masterful production that invites you to listen repeatedly to grasp more and more details.
For all those who don’t like the growls, give this a chance. Akerfeldt’s growls are not harsh at all. They perfectly fit the music and gives a dynamic shift from the cleans. A pure Masterpiece
See the "Amoeba" Records Interview ("What's In My Bag") that may have been _thee_ reason why Ian's management finally got ahold of him because of Mike's "Colorful Language" about emailing Ian and not receiving word back :p
The great thing about Akerfeldt's growls, and he has said this himself, is that he's influenced by David Vincent of Morbid Angel. That's old school growls that are gnarly and perfectly saturated and not so crazy gutteral and with perfect diction. You really feel that he's singing when growling, unlike Alissa in Arch Enemy, to give an example of contemporary overtly brutal growls that are brutal for its own sake
I love the album. I have loved every album from Still Life on and for me, its always been the music first, vocals second when I listen to anything so whether or not there were growls really didnt matter that much to me and Mikael is my favorite of this type of vocals. That said, the growls fit with the concept perfectly and sound fantastic. So much to hear in this album and it is an album to take in start to finish. I like the orchestral parts and love the harp in P4. Waltteri is absolutely fantastic and I think Axe and Lopez are great drummers, but they dont miss a beat with him joining, we injects a new energy. The solos are awesome throughout the album and I love being able to hear Mendez bass. A great mix of everything that they do great. It already slots into my top 3 in their 14 album catalog with repeated listens. Easy 5/5 for me.
Another great review Pete. I have been listening to the album non stop for the last couple of days. I have to agree the drumming makes the album.Easily their best album since Still Life (still my favourite).Its a contender for album of the year, next to Mr Gilmours Luck and Strange....
For me it works as a fusion of all Opeth albums in one, yet creating something different in their catalog, trully awesome! One of my favorite bands ever!
I agree,it's a brilliant album,like yourself I was gutted when axe left,but after seeing valteri play with opeth in 2022,I thought the drum stool was in safe hands & this proves it without a shadow of doubt. Can't wait till march next year to see them in Manchester.
Love the Godzilla shirt man! Great review. I keep listening to this album over and over again, it's fantastic! Opeth are masters at what they do! It's a fantastic mix of heavy elements and classic prog and jazz elements and Ian Anderson's flute parts are just a cherry on top here!
The vinyl boxset, cd+Blu-ray and cd are on order. Looking forward to getting and playing it 🤘 Edit: forgot to say that the album is now available on my Spotify, but I won’t listen to it until I get my goodies through the post, and put it through my Hifi system…..but believe me, I’m chomping at the bit to want to, lol
Got it pre ordered on vinyl. Borknagar is probably my favourite album of the year so far . Need to have the opeth album on repeat to let it sink in. Great review as always pete👍🏴
I put this in the range of Watershed in their discog...its that good. I dont think it reaches the heights of their very best but damn, its really good. When they opened their last tour with Paragraph 1, that baseline just sucked you in.
Great review Pete, I’d say it was a tie for album of the year for me with this and Blood incantations Elsewhere Everywhere! But as you said we’ve only had this album for a couple of days and this will become even more impactful eventually.
Damnation is the only Opeth album in the personal CD library at this point. But your overall review of this album and particularly the comparisons of structure to a favorite Tull album put this on the serious listening list for several uninterrupted listenings. Then we'll see what happens. Thanks as always for the review, Pete.
Couldn't agree more this is and absolutely perfect album in every way shape or form. It's Opeth so I knew it would be good but this piece of genius is so much better than I expected. I've had it since Tuesday and have not stopped listening to it. Every time I listen to it I hear little bits and pieces of things that I hadn't heard before. I'm telling you right now this is my album of the year in a year where there was a lot of great stuff this masterpiece runs laps around all of them.
Listening right now! Hearing those familiar growls by Michael again it's like "ah, old friend, you're back" 🥰 The instrumentation will have to sink in with quite a few more listens, but this sounds very promising! You had me at comparing the album to Passion Play, Pete, and there is definitely something to that comparison.
@@brianmcevoy1990interesting.. who would you place above him? Everyone has their own taste for singer/growlers, so just curious who you like more, will give them a listen.
@@brianmcevoy1990 I would disgree - Akerfeldt has the top tier DM vocal; range, control, passion, delivery AND his clean vocals are absolutely beautiful. He can do Opeth or Bloodbath. His vocals on the first two albums (and Katatonia's Brave Murder Day) were more raspy and more "black metal" than the stuff that came after showcasing his diversity. I know many fans who didn't like the death vocals but were turned on by Mike and Opeth. The only other vocalist who comes close in sheer quality is Dan Swano, but his style is a lot different, and not as widely accepted.
I agree.. I’d say that Devin Townsend has more range in his harsh vocals, he can belt, scream, and growl.. but when it comes to pure focused Cookie Monster vocals, no one beats Mikael.
Was waiting 13 years for this one. Was I disappointed or happy? Both. I love when Opeth concentrates on the dark and the light. Which this has plenty of in spades. It's complex, jazzy, progressive, but best of all its pretty heavy, not Blackwater Park heavy, but heavy enough. I can take the jazzy parts (not a jazz head) as long as the growls and the heavy-ish guitars, are there. I couldn't stand the last 4 albums cuz they sounded way too much like Jethro Tull and Camel. But this one make's me happy. Only complaint: Wish it was a bit heavier in guitar dept. But that's it. To sum it up it's haunted art and Opeth may have done the impossible which is making all the people happy at the same time. 4.5 out of 5. It might go higher, it might go lower. After 3 listens it gets better after every listen. Best album since Watershed For now it's AOTY. Well done Opeth
Glad you're loving it as much as most fans. Looks like the lyrics are in the CD packaging in the form of the will. Woulda been nice if you read through it at least once -- no reviews have talked about the story because most haven't had the lyrics to refer to yet. I'm with you in that generally I don't think lyrics are all that important in music -- but when it's a concept album, it's worth at least paying attention to the story once! I'll put my comment from the review crew: Two things worth mentioning are guitars also take precedence over keyboards for the first time in a while, and the sound affects throughout are worth noting. I wrote, "Oh, and guitars take over again, after a decade of focusing on Joakim Svalberg’s keyboards. The music remains progressive, but also accessible, with multiple parts and changes working together more cohesively than ever before, augmented by mellotron-driven cinematic sound effects, orchestration (handled by Dave Stewart of Hatfield And The North and National Health) and call and response vocals, all of which surpasses anything the band has done before. The combination of foley style footsteps and opening doors and atmospherics on “§1” remind me of the 1993 video game The 7th Guest as much as a film." Some more new releases that Pete will hopefully consider reviewing: Rosalie Cunningham - To Shoot Another Day (Esoteric, Nov 1) | Third album of eclectic, theatrical psych prog, with Ian Anderson and Gong's Ian East contributes flute, clarinet and sax. Weite - Oase (Stickman, Nov 22) | Second Kosmische project from Elder's Nick DiSalvo. Bedsore - Dreaming the Strife for Love (20 Buck Spin, Nov 29) | Italian psych prog death metal. The Gates of Slumber - The Gates of Slumber (Svart, Nov 29) | From the ashes after 13 years, doom legend Karl Simon rebuilds the band after tragic loss of two members. Neckbreakker - Within the Viscera (Nuclear Blast, Dec 6) | Cool young death metal band from Denmark. WIZRD - Elements (Karisma, Dec 6) | Norwegian fusion of jazz-rock and Southern rock, second album. A SoT MUST HEAR!
@@seaoftranquilityprog I know yer not sorry, nor should you be -- I'm with ya, have trouble reading that crap too. Maybe Jamie's vinyl copy has larger print.
Great review . I am a prog fan and I couldn't stand the growls. I liked Ghost reveries, Watershed.Although I loved the previous growlless albums, they fit in greatly on this one. The music is so dense, complex and after some listens it grows on you. 4,5 out of 5 for this one.
I love this album right from the first listen. I’m not a huge fan of cookie monster vocals, but this album is a perfect mix of clean/growl and musically it’s killer. This is at the top of my playlist now. 🤘
Got it yesterday, I've listened to it twice, and there's not much sticking out. But as a whole it feels like a good album that'll grow on me. I'm glad there aren't too many spoken words, and that they're well integrated in the music. Glad the growls are back, it gives more dynamic to Akerfeldt's singing. Sonically it reminds me of Sorceress, not much treble, a bit of a muddy production. Watershed it isn't...but I think it'll be in the Top 10 of 2024 albums.
Wanted to give a huge thank you to Opeth and the record label fpr releasing the album in a jewel case. I am a casual fan of the band but over the last couple of years have started to buy the whole discography in chronological order; I think I may skip a few releases and order this one straight away because of the jewel case format.
I don't like growls 80% of the time because they're often incomprehensible shit, but on Opeth they are excellent, emotive, clear and artistic. I got used to them years before so maybe some need to get over the hump first.
It's funny hearing english speaking people pronouncing nordic person names! :) Mikael Åkerfeldt is [Meekaaell Oakerfellt], Waltteri is finnish but his W is pronounced V. His family name is [Veyrynnen] Fredrik Åkesson [Oakeson] Love this album! It's like watching an epic movie!
I often hear Mikael pronouncing his name as the English "Michael" when he is speaking English. I'm sure he pronounces his name the Swedish way when speaking Swedish.
First off, this is a really good Opeth album. I like it a lot. But I have to comment on all the people who hated "Heritage" and everything to come after but now proclaim this to be a return to form and the real Opeth. This album, musically, is very similar in style to their previous later period albums - maybe even more progressive - the only difference being the growls. Is Opeth only Opeth with growling vocals ?
Agreed, which I love ! I honestly can't fathom how someone can't like Heritage and their other later albums... They're so dynamic and just beautifully crafted.
For me Opeth has always been great because of the contrast. Brutality and Serenity pulling back and forth. When they go too hard in either direction I find that it loses much of the magic of the band. Later Opeth is far from bad but its missing that element so I find myself rarely ever listening to it. It isn't so much about the growls in and of themselves as it is the vibe that generally accompanies them. Which is why for this album, despite having growls, is still not really a return to form for me - the brutality is missing. Its a good album though for what it is.
@@thorneto2742 Yeah, definitely a less aggressive sound than their earlier albums and I can see how a lot of fans miss that. But what drew me to the band and keeps me listening is the sheer musical excellence which hasn`t diminished one bit.
@@atomicvinylreviews3420 Absolutely. For me, Opeth has always been about the creativity and musicianship. Whether it`s clean or harsh vocals, their high musical standards never drop.
I love death metal but so many bands are doing that these days I had no problem with the last 4 opeth albums. Im sure this will be great ill find out tuesday when i get the cd
The key word here is 'balance.' All the stuff is perfectly balanced. This is a masterpiece, from start to finish. I HAD expected a good album, but not THIS good.
Very good album. Far better than their last in my opinion. Begins with a bang, lags slightly for a couple of tracks (I don't like talking in my music), then maintains a solid plateau of goodness to the end. The album has a soft ending some may not like but it works for me.
@@michaelmiller7574 Human voice has many facets. I understand people who don't like growling. I hate opera. I respect opera singers a lot though. To each his own. As for the spoken words in this one, it serves the story and Ian Anderson does it so that alone is great.
@@michaelmiller7574 Nobody cares about your opinion mate, why watch the video and comment if you dont like growls? It's not like your opinion is gonna change our view on growls. Go listen to your non-growling vocals and stop worrying about what other people enjoy
This album used all the tools in their toolbox. It’s weird, it’s manic, it’s engaging and brilliant. Complex and strange and brutal. That’s a lot of adjectives but I feel they all fit. Welcome to the band Wallteri!
Opeth reaching back to the Old Toolbox. Part of there Sound was the Old Tool Box. Death Medal Growl mixed with Beauty that set them apart. I commend them for reaching back but maybe making there Sound new. Is it Still Life Blackwater Park . No its not. Doesn't have to be. There ladt record I actually enjoyed. This is a new step forward . Those early records Still Stand alone. They were Ground Braking . Going to pick this new record apart. Blending Old and New can be a new Golden era.
It's basically similar to Ghost Reveries and Watershed except the songs are shorter. That's what I feel. So I haven't gotten around to getting it yet. I've listened a few times now and I like it, I will get around to getting it but I'm in no rush. I'm a little worried about their future from now on. They have never gone backwards before but with this one, they have which makes me worry they might be running out of ideas. Time will tell. It's still a great album but we have Ghost Reveries and Watershed and Still Life, how many more albums like that do you really need, now we have another one. If they're stuck around this area from now on, this might be the last Opeth album for me, that's just me though and I really hope I'm wrong but most artists run out of new ideas eventually, at the moment it feels like they have reached that point, we'll see.
What gives with all of you getting a physical copy already? I live in California and ordered it 30 days ago on Amazon and it is delayed and not scheduled to arrive until December 2nd.
...the first Opeth album that i reallly like ! Indeed, i have always though this band was good but boring because of too long and repetitive songs...now it's corrected. One of the best album of the yeat !
@seaoftranquilityprog But A Passion Play still had that one reocurring theme ("Fulham road"), which makes it a bit easier to follow. That being said, The Last Will... has some really captivating moments throughout and I'm beginning to feel it might grow on me over the next couple of days. I think the production is brilliant and it's worth listening for the drumming alone.
This album qualifies for an immediate in depth album study or an album war show against blackwater park and still life on in the prog seat...please Pete .
You do realize that the majority of the In the Prog Seat crew don’t listen to or like death metal Opeth right? Plus, how can one do an album study on a record that hasn’t even been out a week yet?
Yes the tracks bleed into each other and imo become a bit samey,even tho there are some very inventive and technically brilliant ideas in the 8 songs...but i will listen to it again and again,im not a growler fan,so...
Why's everyone so much focused on Mikael's growls? It's a brilliant album, with or without the growls. "Last Will" is a great, without being stale, album drawing from everything that makes and made Opeth great. To me they're the best metal band of the last 30 years. 14 albums since 1995 and maybe one, debutalbum Lotus, that isn't that good. Which band can show for a catalogue like that? Not Metallica, Linkin Park or any other "big" bands.
Listened to it many times already. Instant 5/5. It is a perfect blend of old and new Opeth. Extremely complex and busy tracks with a lot of instrumentation going on, superbly blended together with a masterful production that invites you to listen repeatedly to grasp more and more details.
This album just draws you in and demands that you listen again. It is fantastic.
For all those who don’t like the growls, give this a chance. Akerfeldt’s growls are not harsh at all. They perfectly fit the music and gives a dynamic shift from the cleans. A pure Masterpiece
Great review. Pete needs to update his Opeth album ranking to celebrate!
That’s cool that Mikael finally got Ian Anderson to play some flute on an Opeth album…he’s been trying to get him for years.
See the "Amoeba" Records Interview ("What's In My Bag") that may have been _thee_ reason why Ian's management finally got ahold of him because of Mike's "Colorful Language" about emailing Ian and not receiving word back :p
The great thing about Akerfeldt's growls, and he has said this himself, is that he's influenced by David Vincent of Morbid Angel. That's old school growls that are gnarly and perfectly saturated and not so crazy gutteral and with perfect diction. You really feel that he's singing when growling, unlike Alissa in Arch Enemy, to give an example of contemporary overtly brutal growls that are brutal for its own sake
Well said. I love the dynamic shift between the growls and cleans. Alerfeldt is a genius. His growls are not harsh at all, perfect.
Just for reference, the 'motif' next to each track means paragraph, so track 1 is paragraph 1 etc etc
A great album, will definitely be in my top albums of 2024. I love how Ian Anderson is also part of this album.
Incredible isn't it Love Opeth better everyday of the week than bands trying to do 80s glam metal 😂😂😂😂😂.
The worst type of false Metal
Deathro Tull 😊
When I heard the iconic Anderson flute, I said “Oh!” Sounded perfect!
First 5/5 from Pete in a very long time.
Agreed I can’t remember another 5/5 this year, struggling to remember though 😂
@@ahmetkemal2710 Off the top of my head, I think it’s been at least a year, maybe two. Bold rating for such an insane album.
Finally an open, honest review of this record from somebody who has clearly listened to it thoroughly. Thanks, Pete.
Album of the year and best thing I have heard in some time. Thanks Pete!!
No junior, no. So far, weather systems easely lead
I love the album. I have loved every album from Still Life on and for me, its always been the music first, vocals second when I listen to anything so whether or not there were growls really didnt matter that much to me and Mikael is my favorite of this type of vocals. That said, the growls fit with the concept perfectly and sound fantastic. So much to hear in this album and it is an album to take in start to finish. I like the orchestral parts and love the harp in P4. Waltteri is absolutely fantastic and I think Axe and Lopez are great drummers, but they dont miss a beat with him joining, we injects a new energy. The solos are awesome throughout the album and I love being able to hear Mendez bass. A great mix of everything that they do great. It already slots into my top 3 in their 14 album catalog with repeated listens. Easy 5/5 for me.
Another great review Pete. I have been listening to the album non stop for the last couple of days. I have to agree the drumming makes the album.Easily their best album since Still Life (still my favourite).Its a contender for album of the year, next to Mr Gilmours Luck and Strange....
For me it works as a fusion of all Opeth albums in one, yet creating something different in their catalog, trully awesome! One of my favorite bands ever!
I can't believe how magical that last track is.
Its honestly incredible
This is the most passionate review from Pete and yes complex
New Opeth is epic, love it!
New drummer is amazing! Saw them in Cleveland and he nailed it. His play throughs of the new songs are really good here on YT as well.
The drumming is absolutely insane here. I can’t remember the last time before this when I was so blown away by the drumming.
Have spinned the CD a couple of times now. Sounds great!
I agree,it's a brilliant album,like yourself I was gutted when axe left,but after seeing valteri play with opeth in 2022,I thought the drum stool was in safe hands & this proves it without a shadow of doubt.
Can't wait till march next year to see them in Manchester.
Opeth is truly back! Love it 🤘
I'm a huge Opeth fan, all era's. First impression is that I don't quite "get it" but it's certainly intriguing, so hopefully a grower!
Killer album! I loved the surround mix on the Blu-Ray version as well - really creative with all of the channel pans and sound effects.
Love the Godzilla shirt man!
Great review.
I keep listening to this album over and over again, it's fantastic! Opeth are masters at what they do! It's a fantastic mix of heavy elements and classic prog and jazz elements and Ian Anderson's flute parts are just a cherry on top here!
The vinyl boxset, cd+Blu-ray and cd are on order. Looking forward to getting and playing it 🤘
Edit: forgot to say that the album is now available on my Spotify, but I won’t listen to it until I get my goodies through the post, and put it through my Hifi system…..but believe me, I’m chomping at the bit to want to, lol
Got it pre ordered on vinyl. Borknagar is probably my favourite album of the year so far . Need to have the opeth album on repeat to let it sink in. Great review as always pete👍🏴
I put this in the range of Watershed in their discog...its that good. I dont think it reaches the heights of their very best but damn, its really good. When they opened their last tour with Paragraph 1, that baseline just sucked you in.
Great review Pete, I’d say it was a tie for album of the year for me with this and Blood incantations Elsewhere Everywhere! But as you said we’ve only had this album for a couple of days and this will become even more impactful eventually.
Damnation is the only Opeth album in the personal CD library at this point. But your overall review of this album and particularly the comparisons of structure to a favorite Tull album put this on the serious listening list for several uninterrupted listenings. Then we'll see what happens. Thanks as always for the review, Pete.
Couldn't agree more this is and absolutely perfect album in every way shape or form. It's Opeth so I knew it would be good but this piece of genius is so much better than I expected. I've had it since Tuesday and have not stopped listening to it. Every time I listen to it I hear little bits and pieces of things that I hadn't heard before. I'm telling you right now this is my album of the year in a year where there was a lot of great stuff this masterpiece runs laps around all of them.
Really looking forward to hearing this.
I’m a fan of the early stuff as well as the more recent albums.
Thanks Pete 👍✌️
Spot on review Pete! Fantastic album. My album of the year most likely although that new damn Tribulation album is good, too.
I'm really excited to grab a copy!
This album is a legit 10/10, after 3 full listens I am addicted.
Great review Pete!
I view the "cookie monster" as a character in the story. Love ALL Opeth
Listening right now! Hearing those familiar growls by Michael again it's like "ah, old friend, you're back" 🥰
The instrumentation will have to sink in with quite a few more listens, but this sounds very promising!
You had me at comparing the album to Passion Play, Pete, and there is definitely something to that comparison.
My favorite album since Ghost Reveries.
Agreed.
I love Watershed and Pale Communion but you might be right.
I’m still trying to get my hands on a vinyl copy
100%
I agree!
This album is a work of art. The best they've done since Ghost Reveries imo!
I feel like Mikael’s death metal vocals are the gold standard!
He isn't even the best Swedish metal vocalist let alone the worldwide gold standard.
@@brianmcevoy1990interesting.. who would you place above him? Everyone has their own taste for singer/growlers, so just curious who you like more, will give them a listen.
@@brianmcevoy1990 I would disgree - Akerfeldt has the top tier DM vocal; range, control, passion, delivery AND his clean vocals are absolutely beautiful. He can do Opeth or Bloodbath. His vocals on the first two albums (and Katatonia's Brave Murder Day) were more raspy and more "black metal" than the stuff that came after showcasing his diversity. I know many fans who didn't like the death vocals but were turned on by Mike and Opeth. The only other vocalist who comes close in sheer quality is Dan Swano, but his style is a lot different, and not as widely accepted.
I agree..
I’d say that Devin Townsend has more range in his harsh vocals, he can belt, scream, and growl.. but when it comes to pure focused Cookie Monster vocals, no one beats Mikael.
Love this album. 10 out of ten.
I haven’t enjoyed an Opeth album since Damnation and I’ve given them all a chance. This review gives me hope, I’ll check it out!
This album is a masterpiece! One of their best
Was waiting 13 years for this one.
Was I disappointed or happy?
Both.
I love when Opeth concentrates on the dark and the light. Which this has plenty of in spades.
It's complex, jazzy, progressive, but best of all its pretty heavy, not Blackwater Park heavy, but heavy enough.
I can take the jazzy parts (not a jazz head) as long as the growls and the heavy-ish guitars, are there.
I couldn't stand the last 4 albums cuz they sounded way too much like Jethro Tull and Camel.
But this one make's me happy.
Only complaint: Wish it was a bit heavier in guitar dept.
But that's it.
To sum it up it's haunted art and Opeth may have done the impossible which is making all the people happy at the same time.
4.5 out of 5.
It might go higher, it might go lower.
After 3 listens it gets better after every listen.
Best album since Watershed
For now it's AOTY.
Well done Opeth
Wait till' you're at 7-8 listens. I want to rate a little higher than you, so let's say 9.5/10 🤘
Glad you're loving it as much as most fans. Looks like the lyrics are in the CD packaging in the form of the will. Woulda been nice if you read through it at least once -- no reviews have talked about the story because most haven't had the lyrics to refer to yet. I'm with you in that generally I don't think lyrics are all that important in music -- but when it's a concept album, it's worth at least paying attention to the story once!
I'll put my comment from the review crew: Two things worth mentioning are guitars also take precedence over keyboards for the first time in a while, and the sound affects throughout are worth noting. I wrote, "Oh, and guitars take over again, after a decade of focusing on Joakim Svalberg’s keyboards. The music remains progressive, but also accessible, with multiple parts and changes working together more cohesively than ever before, augmented by mellotron-driven cinematic sound effects, orchestration (handled by Dave Stewart of Hatfield And The North and National Health) and call and response vocals, all of which surpasses anything the band has done before. The combination of foley style footsteps and opening doors and atmospherics on “§1” remind me of the 1993 video game The 7th Guest as much as a film."
Some more new releases that Pete will hopefully consider reviewing:
Rosalie Cunningham - To Shoot Another Day (Esoteric, Nov 1) | Third album of eclectic, theatrical psych prog, with Ian Anderson and Gong's Ian East contributes flute, clarinet and sax.
Weite - Oase (Stickman, Nov 22) | Second Kosmische project from Elder's Nick DiSalvo.
Bedsore - Dreaming the Strife for Love (20 Buck Spin, Nov 29) | Italian psych prog death metal.
The Gates of Slumber - The Gates of Slumber (Svart, Nov 29) | From the ashes after 13 years, doom legend Karl Simon rebuilds the band after tragic loss of two members.
Neckbreakker - Within the Viscera (Nuclear Blast, Dec 6) | Cool young death metal band from Denmark.
WIZRD - Elements (Karisma, Dec 6) | Norwegian fusion of jazz-rock and Southern rock, second album. A SoT MUST HEAR!
The print on the cd is microscopic….sorry, I’m not straining my eyes to try and decipher it.
@@seaoftranquilityprog I know yer not sorry, nor should you be -- I'm with ya, have trouble reading that crap too. Maybe Jamie's vinyl copy has larger print.
Now that's a convincing review! I'll definitely try to get into Opeth yet again, maybe the third time is the charm :)
Great review . I am a prog fan and I couldn't stand the growls. I liked Ghost reveries, Watershed.Although I loved the previous growlless albums, they fit in greatly on this one. The music is so dense, complex and after some listens it grows on you. 4,5 out of 5 for this one.
I love this album right from the first listen. I’m not a huge fan of cookie monster vocals, but this album is a perfect mix of clean/growl and musically it’s killer. This is at the top of my playlist now. 🤘
Got it yesterday, I've listened to it twice, and there's not much sticking out. But as a whole it feels like a good album that'll grow on me.
I'm glad there aren't too many spoken words, and that they're well integrated in the music. Glad the growls are back, it gives more dynamic to Akerfeldt's singing.
Sonically it reminds me of Sorceress, not much treble, a bit of a muddy production.
Watershed it isn't...but I think it'll be in the Top 10 of 2024 albums.
same for me . i like it very much . very good albun
Also. The drummer played for Paradise Lost. He’s great.
As I mentioned.
Wanted to give a huge thank you to Opeth and the record label fpr releasing the album in a jewel case. I am a casual fan of the band but over the last couple of years have started to buy the whole discography in chronological order; I think I may skip a few releases and order this one straight away because of the jewel case format.
Fantastic release!
Pete, Questy & the Thralls guys all on the same page with this one. Can't wait to grab a copy.
I don't like growls 80% of the time because they're often incomprehensible shit, but on Opeth they are excellent, emotive, clear and artistic. I got used to them years before so maybe some need to get over the hump first.
It rules! I like everything Opeth has done, so a little biased.
One of the best prog / metal bands out there these days.
It's funny hearing english speaking people pronouncing nordic person names! :)
Mikael Åkerfeldt is [Meekaaell Oakerfellt], Waltteri is finnish but his W is pronounced V. His family name is [Veyrynnen]
Fredrik Åkesson [Oakeson]
Love this album! It's like watching an epic movie!
I often hear Mikael pronouncing his name as the English "Michael" when he is speaking English. I'm sure he pronounces his name the Swedish way when speaking Swedish.
You forgot a pronunciation guide on Swede Martin Mendez.
@@tombiby5892 😆Do you want it? ;)
@@Miler97487 Yes, he's adjusting. I think it sound cool the way you say "Ackerfelt".
"Åker" is like "cropland" and "feldt" is "field".
Nice review, echos a lot of my own sentiments
I get some Mike Patton/Mr Bungle vibes in some of these tunes. Was not expecting that lol
First off, this is a really good Opeth album. I like it a lot. But I have to comment on all the people who hated "Heritage" and everything to come after but now proclaim this to be a return to form and the real Opeth. This album, musically, is very similar in style to their previous later period albums - maybe even more progressive - the only difference being the growls. Is Opeth only Opeth with growling vocals ?
Agreed, which I love !
I honestly can't fathom how someone can't like Heritage and their other later albums... They're so dynamic and just beautifully crafted.
This is their proggiest album ever.
For me Opeth has always been great because of the contrast. Brutality and Serenity pulling back and forth. When they go too hard in either direction I find that it loses much of the magic of the band. Later Opeth is far from bad but its missing that element so I find myself rarely ever listening to it. It isn't so much about the growls in and of themselves as it is the vibe that generally accompanies them. Which is why for this album, despite having growls, is still not really a return to form for me - the brutality is missing. Its a good album though for what it is.
@@thorneto2742 Yeah, definitely a less aggressive sound than their earlier albums and I can see how a lot of fans miss that. But what drew me to the band and keeps me listening is the sheer musical excellence which hasn`t diminished one bit.
@@atomicvinylreviews3420 Absolutely. For me, Opeth has always been about the creativity and musicianship. Whether it`s clean or harsh vocals, their high musical standards never drop.
My copy that I ordered in September hasn’t arrived yet.
Great review. Album of the year for me.
I ordered this album on vinyl and listened to it streamed..hopefully Pete likes it
I love death metal but so many bands are doing that these days I had no problem with the last 4 opeth albums. Im sure this will be great ill find out tuesday when i get the cd
Love the fact that this review just couldn't wait 'til Wednesday.
Hey Frank. Miss you my friend/ hope all is well 👍💯
@@garyjoyce2160Thank you, Gary. Hope you too are doing fine. I promise I'll be back soon. 😀
But that Godzilla shirt!
I'm glad I wasn't the only one with the label pronunciation problems. lol An excellent album I really loved what I heard. I am recent to this band
The key word here is 'balance.' All the stuff is perfectly balanced. This is a masterpiece, from start to finish. I HAD expected a good album, but not THIS good.
Very good album. Far better than their last in my opinion. Begins with a bang, lags slightly for a couple of tracks (I don't like talking in my music), then maintains a solid plateau of goodness to the end. The album has a soft ending some may not like but it works for me.
You don't like talking in your music but you like growls for so called vocals!!
@@michaelmiller7574 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@@michaelmiller7574 Human voice has many facets. I understand people who don't like growling. I hate opera. I respect opera singers a lot though. To each his own. As for the spoken words in this one, it serves the story and Ian Anderson does it so that alone is great.
@@michaelmiller7574 Nobody cares about your opinion mate, why watch the video and comment if you dont like growls? It's not like your opinion is gonna change our view on growls. Go listen to your non-growling vocals and stop worrying about what other people enjoy
Are you upset?
Maybe it’s because I feel exactly like you do, about the album… but fantastic review!
This album used all the tools in their toolbox. It’s weird, it’s manic, it’s engaging and brilliant.
Complex and strange and brutal. That’s a lot of adjectives but I feel they all fit.
Welcome to the band Wallteri!
It's a masterpiece
I mean Ian f Anderson, how cool is that. And epic metal drumming lml
First listen and I'm loving it. Watershed 2.
Opeth reaching back to the Old Toolbox. Part of there Sound was the Old Tool Box. Death Medal Growl mixed with Beauty that set them apart. I commend them for reaching back but maybe making there Sound new.
Is it Still Life Blackwater Park .
No its not. Doesn't have to be.
There ladt record I actually enjoyed. This is a new step forward . Those early records
Still Stand alone. They were Ground Braking . Going to pick this new record apart. Blending Old and New can be a new Golden era.
Masterpiece
Great album! It’s nice to hear the growls 4.5 out of 5
It's basically similar to Ghost Reveries and Watershed except the songs are shorter. That's what I feel. So I haven't gotten around to getting it yet. I've listened a few times now and I like it, I will get around to getting it but I'm in no rush. I'm a little worried about their future from now on. They have never gone backwards before but with this one, they have which makes me worry they might be running out of ideas. Time will tell.
It's still a great album but we have Ghost Reveries and Watershed and Still Life, how many more albums like that do you really need, now we have another one.
If they're stuck around this area from now on, this might be the last Opeth album for me, that's just me though and I really hope I'm wrong but most artists run out of new ideas eventually, at the moment it feels like they have reached that point, we'll see.
More like ICV with growls imo. Nothing like GV/WS.
A tough nut of an album to crack for me. Good album
But I think I prefer ICV a little bit more - 1) no growls 2) more worked out melodies.
Growls are back, but that's not the main thing about this album at all. It is really how totally progressive it is. And I love it.
Cookie Monster thing! No…Now thats all Im going to hear Pete
Sounds like the music style could be a continuation from “the watershed” album, which I Aker-felt was a good album. 😉
What gives with all of you getting a physical copy already? I live in California and ordered it 30 days ago on Amazon and it is delayed and not scheduled to arrive until December 2nd.
...the first Opeth album that i reallly like ! Indeed, i have always though this band was good but boring because of too long and repetitive songs...now it's corrected. One of the best album of the yeat !
Moderbolaget means Mother Company, or Parent Company, in swedish.
pre-ordered on amazon but still hasn't even despatched
Excellent album!
It starts well and it ends well. I can't find any real songs though.
It’s not an album of songs, nor intended to be. I think it was created as a long movement. Hence the Jethro Tull A Passion Play mention.
@seaoftranquilityprog But A Passion Play still had that one reocurring theme ("Fulham road"), which makes it a bit easier to follow. That being said, The Last Will... has some really captivating moments throughout and I'm beginning to feel it might grow on me over the next couple of days. I think the production is brilliant and it's worth listening for the drumming alone.
@@eldorado852 There are recurring musical themes on this, perhaps not as obvious as some on APP.
I would put this album on the same plane as BwP
Opeth with no growls = shit
Opeth growls = brilliant.
How shallow some people are😁😁😁
I did not think it was their best album. In my opinion their best albums are ghost reveries and blackwater park.
This album qualifies for an immediate in depth album study or an album war show against blackwater park and still life on in the prog seat...please Pete .
You do realize that the majority of the In the Prog Seat crew don’t listen to or like death metal Opeth right? Plus, how can one do an album study on a record that hasn’t even been out a week yet?
Yes the tracks bleed into each other and imo become a bit samey,even tho there are some very inventive and technically brilliant ideas in the 8 songs...but i will listen to it again and again,im not a growler fan,so...
Opeth and Jethro Tull (well at least Ian Anderson) for the metal Grammy??? Tell Metallica not to bother entering😂😂😂
Why's everyone so much focused on Mikael's growls? It's a brilliant album, with or without the growls. "Last Will" is a great, without being stale, album drawing from everything that makes and made Opeth great. To me they're the best metal band of the last 30 years. 14 albums since 1995 and maybe one, debutalbum Lotus, that isn't that good. Which band can show for a catalogue like that? Not Metallica, Linkin Park or any other "big" bands.
1. Ghost reveries 2. Still Life 3. Time Will Testament 4. Watershed 5. Black Water Park my top
🔝 5 ❤❤❤❤❤
An amazing album, but it's probably going to take me a year to digest and even try to rank or rate this f'n thing.