When I was introduced to progressive metal many years ago it all started with Dream Theater. I had never heard music like that. I was intrigued, I was in awe. I thought nobody else made that kind of music. I wanted to know more about this exciting music, and I discovered there is this huge underground universe of fantastic music that nobody ever talks about if you don’t know where to look. I came across loads of bands and music; much of it I didn’t like, but it was an exciting journey digging my way through this place of wonder and amazement and the bands I discovered I’m still a huge fan of. Dream Theater is still up there, of course, but they are not “the band” for me anymore and haven’t been that for a few years.
Eventually I came across this band called Opeth. I found out that they, too, like so many other great bands, come from Sweden. I listened to some songs of them and I discarded it immediately. I wasn’t ready for them just yet, and I continued listening to other things. Years later I decided I will have to check them out again and see what would happen. Second chances sometimes pay off, and in this case it certainly did pay off big time. I listened to a few albums of theirs. It didn’t do much for me until I heard a song off their 2005 release called Ghost Reveries. It just clicked, I was blown away and couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I just couldn’t get enough.
A while ago I blogged about a thought I had, and I thought that if I were to define music I would do it like this; music = Opeth. Opeth is probably my very favourite band, and probably the best band I’ve ever heard. They make music like nobody else. And this time I can say so while actually knowing something about what I’m saying. I’ve been around the universe of music all my life, and in recent years I’ve especially been in and around the progressive world.
I’m not a fanboy preaching the gospel of Opeth here, I truly think they are one of a kind. They make music, and they progress music, and they invent music and sounds, they evoke emotions and thoughts like no other band I’ve come across. They are on a whole other level in every aspect of what music is.
Music = Opeth. Oh, I do know that is saying a lot. But you have not heard music until you have heard Opeth. They are metal, yes they are, but if you are not a metal fan, and even if you don’t like metal at all, you can still give them a chance because they are so much more than that.
Watershed, their latest release… It’s an album I’ve been listening to a lot since it was released, and at this very moment while I’m writing this I’m listening to Watershed for the third time in a row all the way through from beginning to end. Watershed is dark, it’s sad, it’s moody, it’s aggressive, it’s mellow, it’s metal, it’s beautiful, and it’s a wonderful journey.
Give Opeth a chance. Watch this video. It’s a part of a documentary on Opeth’s latest album, and if you like it go watch the other parts as well.
May Opeth be with you.
Technorati Tags: Music, Opeth, Progressive Metal, Watershed
