Double album with gatefold cover and printed innersleeves

Having taken their oppressive black metal symphonies to theirfurious zenith with their third effort, My Arms, Your Hearse,Sweden’s Opeth began deconstructing their sound on 1999’s brilliantStill Life. A logical next step in their evolution, the album findsthe band re-examining their unlikely fusion of progressive rock andblack metal to highlight the former while staying in touch with thelatter. The result is a formidable splicing of harsh, often jaggedguitar riffs with graceful melodies, and the increasing use ofMikael Akerfeldt’s “clean” vocals (alternated with his ever-presentdeath growl). This tactic only serves to spotlight the quality ofAkerfeldt’s lyrics (a rarity in extreme metal circles) and, in thetradition of prior efforts, Still Life is a full-fledged conceptalbum, which, without going into unnecessary details, centersaround a tale of unrequited love for a character called Melinda (adiscreet reference to Mercyful Fate’s early-’80s classic Melissa,perhaps?). Also new to the mix are a wealth of more dynamic, almostgroove-oriented riffs (see “Godhead’s Lament” and “Serenity PaintedDeath”) which break away from the Wall of Sound overtures of thepast. On the other hand, outstanding, multi-faceted epics like “TheMoor,” “Moonlapse Vertigo,” and “White Cluster” carry on in theproud Opeth tradition. The all-acoustic “Benighted” is the album’sonly one-dimensional track (and a beauty it is, too), while theawesome “Face of Melinda” represents a new career high with itsquietly building atmosphere and powerful finale. Ultimately, thisis another star turn for the group, and the fact that they somehowmanaged to outdo themselves with their next work, Blackwater Park,is a testament to Opeth’s greatness.

Track listing:
1. The Moor
2. Godhands Lament
3. Benighted
4. Moonlapse Vertigo
5. Face Of Melinda
6. Serenity Painted Death
7. White Cluster

Condition cover: nm

Condition vinyl: nm

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