Opeth - Blackwater Park

2001 Album Award

My introduction to Swedish gods Opeth came with their 1999 release, Still Life. After hearing that album, I couldn't believe a band of this quality and complexity had eluded me for so long. Here was a quartet that was lushly blending several genres of metal—doom, death, black, gothic, progressive—and at the same time exploring classical and even Spanish baroque music in stunning, poignant acoustic passages. I did my best to convey my absolute sense of wonder when reviewing the disc, but I believe a comment left on this website by a fan summed it up better than I ever could: "Listening to Opeth makes me think that God exists."

Opeth (a literary reference to a "city of the moon") was formed in Stockholm in 1990. The current line-up began to take shape in March of 1992, when Mikael Akerfeldt took over as guitarist/vocalist and Peter Lindgren joined Opeth as a bassist (he has since moved to guitar). Opeth wowed critics early with their unique style of metal that incorporated beautiful acoustic passages, angelic harmonies, and thoughtful musicianship in long compositions that often exceeded 10 minutes in length. Their first two albums, Orchid and Morningrise, were progressive and epic, and put the band on the map in Europe. Soon thereafter, the band gained wider exposure touring with black/death metal legends like Morbid Angel and Cradle of Filth. After adding a new rhythm section in 1997 (bassist Martin Mendez and drummer Martin Lopez) Opeth released two more strong albums, My Arms, Your Hearse in 1998 and the 1999 epic, Still Life. These accomplished works served only to elevate their legend further.

Their current masterpiece, 2001's Blackwater Park, is named after an obscure 70's psychedelic rock band. But the lyrics to the album tell a twisted story involving a place of that name. From the first-person, Mr. Akerfeldt relates to the listener a morbid story of a leprosy outbreak in a community and the terrible actions the local inhabitants take to rid themselves of the disease forever. This grisly tale's tragic conclusion takes place in the Park itself, but there are plenty of horrifying images, haunting accounts, and ghastly revelations before we get there.

Opeth does an incredible job of alternating between heavy and light passages in the eight long tracks on this album. At one point, you will be swept up in a wicked, swirling guitar riff, only to be brought down a minute later by a gentle, somber acoustic lick. The work on guitar by Lindgren and Akerfeldt is stand-out as usual, both on lead and rhythm, electric and acoustic. Ditto for the bass playing of Mendez and the slick ride/double bass work of Lopez. A new element that brings even more depth to the band's inspired pieces is the piano of Steven Wilson (who also contributes vocal and guitar parts). His gorgeous, soft touches on the keys can be heard in the instrumental "Patterns in the Ivy" and elsewhere throughout the album. Another novel feature of Blackwater Park is Akerfeldt's approach to vocals. Once again, he mixes clean vocals with death growls. But unlike on Still Life, where his clean voice was consistent in sound (harmonic, angelic), he experiments with effects, harmonies, and tone much more on this new album. As a result, we get to hear his voice far more intimately, and can wonder at his amazing range and creativity. There are points in songs like "Bleak" and "The Funeral Portrait" where his words (and Wilson's) will touch you and bring the accumulated pain in these songs together in moments of clarity.

Blackwater Park is more of a spiritual journey than a metal album. Like a great painting, it allows us to uncover additional layers, subtleties, and refinements with each successive exhibition. It will challenge you as a listener, but the rewards will be bountiful indeed.

Opeth has produced what I consider to be one of the finest albums I have ever heard; in metal or any other genre of music. I'm not sure if I would agree with the aforementioned fan who viewed Opeth as evidence of a Lord of Creation. But the band's music gives me such faith in the power and beauty present in man that I'm no longer convinced we need Him at all.