Band: Opeth
Album Reviewed: "Damnation" (2003)
Genre: Progressive Metal
Track Listing:
1.
Windowpane 7:44
2. In My Time of Need 5:50
3. Death
Whispered a Lullaby 5:49
4. Closure
5:16
5. Hope
Leaves 4:30
6. To Rid
the Disease 6:21
7. Ending
Credits 3:40
8. Weakness
4:09
Total playing time 43:19
On 2003,
the outstanding Swedish band Opeth made a project consisting in the released of
two simultaneous albums with opposite names and concept, one being the great "Deliverance",
featuring all the characteristics I describe in my previous post (http://blog.bitcomet.com/monti84metal/post_40461/), and the other
named "Damnation", a progressive, dark and mellow release of such high quality
that I consider it to be truly universal music.
"Damnation"
shows the band turning their progressive influences to the extreme. There is an
absent of distortion, with clear electric guitars intertwined with acoustic
arpeggios and chords. For the first time, the keyboards took an important role
in their music, being in great part responsible for the obscure atmosphere and
melancholic feeling behind every note. The double bass kick ass drumming was
left behind and replaced for jazzy, perfectly suited percussion. And for the
first time as well, Mikael Åkerfeldt stopped using his remarkable growling and
sang in a mellow clear voice with different, interesting moods and tones.
This album
is so genuinely perfect that even the hardcore metalheads accepted its beauty
and they indeed embraced "Damnation" as a masterpiece. In a very dangerous,
brave move, Opeth dared to change their style, giving mellow yet still dark
music to an audience accustom to heavy distortion and technical playing. The
experiment result was so neatly done and superior that it will appeal the
masses of almost every musical genre, from jazz lovers, progressive rock fans,
passing through romantic freaks and ending up in the extreme metal fans, making
this album universal and compelling.
Download "Damnation" here
Song: Windowpane
Blank face in the windowpane
Made clear in seconds of light
Disappears and returns again
Counting hours, searching the night
Might be waiting for someone
Might be there for us to see
Might be in need of talking
Might be staring directly at me
Inside plays a lullaby
Slurred voice over children cries
On the inside
Haunting loneliness in the eye
Skin covering a secret scar
His hand is waving a goodbye
There's no response or action returned
There is deep prejudice in me
Outshines all reason inside
Given dreams all ridden with pain
And projected unto the last
