|
STILL LIFE (2LP)
OPETH
1999, NORWAY
, EAN CODE 801056807816- EURO 27.00
Label: PEACEVILLE RECORDS
ALBUM REVIEW
Perhaps the longest standing debate amongst Opeth fans is picking between Still Life and Blackwater Park as the band's "best" album. Each is a classic and a top five album for the genre but for the time being, I'm siding with Still Life as the superior release to the point of a five star rating. On this album and the one that follows Opeth's brand of prog death metal which had been in the process of tweaking and refinement over their first three albums reaches its pinnacle on all fronts of their signature sound. The instrumental portions are lush, complex, and well arranged in both the heavier and softer sides of each indivdual track. Any awkwardness in the transition process between the heavy and soft facets is completely removed on Still Life with each aspect working together to construct the tracks where both sides are present. Even the death growling, which I also find to be a stumbling block with the band is cogent enough to let the album's concept be known throughout without beating the listener over the head. I know it's death metal and its part of the genre but given that Akerfeldt is a passable singer during the acoustic portions I don't mind him simply singing over the heavier sections. (Hawkeyes89 - Rate Your Music)
|
