Artist: Opeth
Label: Koch Records
Release Date: 11/12/02
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Title: Deliverance Artist: Opeth Label: Koch Records Release Date: 11/12/02 |
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Abyss's Review:
Have you ever noticed that all of the Opeth albums seem to have an equal percentage of fans that think it's their best? I've heard each album listed as their best in numerous conversations, reviews and articles. This has to tell you something about this band, and about the level of craftsmanship that goes into each album. Because, let's face it, I know a ton of KISS fans, but NONE of them are saying that Unmasked, Dynasty, or Crazy Nights is their favorite album.
"'And don't even get me started on linguine! Fucking sellout linguine, it makes me so mad!'" And for a long time Opeth were about the best-reviewed (by critics and fans alike) bands in all of metal, but this seems to be changing. As is often the case, once a band attains wide acceptance in our fickle little clique, the detractors start becoming more and more vocal. Because, after all, the only way to prove how true a metalhead you are is to tell others that the metal they're listening to is lame. And don't play innocent, because almost all of you have done it. "Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth are queer goth shit", "Nu-metal is NOT metal!", and "The Gothenburg sound is just stagnant now, all the bands suck". You've probably either heard (or more likely said) something like these idiotic statements in the recent past, and they just remind me of some of the shit I've been hearing recently about Opeth. Things like: "Orchid kicked ass, but Blackwater Park just sucked!" Really? I find that hard to believe. I mean, I can believe you liked one more than the other, I could even believe that one just didn't seem to move you the way you hoped it would. But one being great and the other completely sucking? I just can't believe that. I mean, when it comes to the overall sound, how different do you really find them? Obviously there are differences over the years, but the overall sound is quite similar. So how can one be great and the other be totally worthless? Do these people have such overly sensitive tastes in all facets of their life? Do they go to Italian restaurants and say things like, "I love spaghetti, but vermicelli is just plain disgusting! And don't even get me started on linguine! Fucking sellout linguine, it makes me so mad!"
You may think that the reason I went through all that was to set up that I loved this album like all the rest, but that isn't the case. I'm actually disappointed in this album, but I wanted to distance myself from all the idiots that I described above. Fact is, that while I'm disappointed, Opeth remain one of the best bands in metal. They haven't 'sold out' and they aren't any less 'metal', this album just seems incomplete.
And that might be the best way to put it. Incomplete. I'm sure most of you already know that this album was originally supposed to be released as a double CD that had this as the 'heavy' disc, and another 'lighter' disc (Damnation, which will now be released separately next year). While there is a good chance I might be projecting my own pre-conceived notions on this disc, I think it might sound more complete if both discs came out at the same time, as was originally planned.
"While there is a good chance I might be projecting my own pre-conceived notions on this disc, I think it might sound more complete if both discs came out at the same time, as was originally planned." Deliverance is not a huge step in any direction from the bulk of Opeth's work. It is still well written, well produced, and well executed. But, unlike any other Opeth release, I find it a little less consistent than most of their work. Opeth have long used extended, time-consuming songs on their albums, and this one is no exception, but here they seem to drag at times. The Opeth I know would overuse musical themes at times, but they would always find clever ways to keep the listener enthralled for the entire song. Whether it was a repeated riff that changed in tone, or if they would screw around with the time signatures, the band always kept the listener at least interested if not enveloped. On this album there are times where it gets just a little too repetitive for me, and the songs don't seem quite as far-reaching or ambitious. I just feel like there is something missing, and I can't stop myself from wondering if it's the disc that I have to wait six months for.
This will be moot to the avid Opeth fan, however, because this album does have what most Opeth fans are looking for: namely, a grand vision of dark beauty. The music is still an armada of melody driven by the dark undercurrent of the metallic, enveloping sea. That being said, right now it is my least favorite album of theirs. One word review: Great.
Death's Review:
As you surely know by now, Opeth have decided to split the once contemplated 2-CD 2002 Opeth release into two separate releases timed six months apart. The first of these albums, Deliverance, is now upon us. Deliverance is the "heavy" CD, which in Opeth-speak means it is full of the dynamic interplay between mellow and heavy that Opeth fans have come to expect from the band. The next album is the "mellow" album, and, as I understand it, when Opeth says mellow they aren't kidding. I expect that album to be completely devoid of death metal vocals and probably not to have too much in the way of distorted guitars. I'm expecting a dreamy, contemplative Opeth, perhaps their version of Alice in Chains' Jar of Flies effort or something more akin to what you might hear from a band like Porcupine Tree on their recent major label release? Anyway, whatever the mellow album sounds like, the "heavy" album is out now.
"Deliverance is the 'heavy' CD, which in Opeth-speak means it is full of the dynamic interplay between mellow and heavy that Opeth fans have come to expect from the band." Most fans expressing opinions on the whole mellow album/heavy album thing thus far fall in to one of two polar-opposite camps: those who love the idea because it means we get a more metal-oriented effort from Opeth in Deliverance, and those who hate the idea because they are afraid that means taking the peanut butter out of the proverbial chocolate. Those in the former camp think that if Opeth wanted to "progress" and develop their mellower and possible more accessible side, they would ordinarily do so at the expense of the old Opeth we all know and love, so therefore this was a way for them to "progress" but also throw a bone to the long-time fans. Those in the latter camp think that the band should have combined it all and made one great record as Opeth has always had two sides and they should have just written one cohesive album.
We won't really be able to analyze all of this until we hear the mellow outing, but I can tell you that Deliverance is another outstanding Opeth effort. It picks up right where Blackwater Park left off. Heavy parts with mellow interludes, death vocals residing alongside clean vocals, all in the service of long, progressive death metal songs. The result is outstanding, and several points on this record clearly rank among the band's finest moments. The production is essentially perfect, with the separation among instruments intact yet the thick wall of sound also present on the more metallic parts; the clean material sounds downright beautiful. If anything, Opeth have become a bit more progressive with this album. The title track, "Deliverance," (track two) is one of the band's all-time best efforts. By the middle of the song, they employ a strange, almost poppy vocal that is layered over a crunchy, straightforward headbanging riff that all together sounds outstanding. Then they launch into a searing guitar solo that cuts through the mix like a razor blade through flesh before launching into an extended jam that takes two interesting yet relatively simple riffs and literally works them up and down, increasing the intensity with each repetition yet completely showcasing the band's outstanding musicianship. Some have alluded to too much repetition on this record but this extended working over of this riff at the end of this song really does something for me and I think it is outstanding. One of my favorite moments.
"If you want to be part of the 'cooler than thou' club and be the first on your block to declare Opeth sellouts or something then be my guest-- but that is absolutely not the case here." This is only one song on an album full of new Opeth classics. If you want to be part of the "cooler than thou" club and be the first on your block to declare Opeth sellouts or something then be my guest-- but that is absolutely not the case here. Opeth are clearly one of the best bands in the business, and Deliverance absolutely enhances that reputation at every turn. This is definitely going to be on my year-end top ten list, probably near the top. If you like Opeth, you surely will like this record. As for the mellow effort? Who knows, perhaps that will be a radical departure from the Opeth sound. But this one is more of the same, but I mean that in the best possible way.
Hel's Review:
Opeth is one of those bands that endears itself to you upon repeated listens. Their albums also share this characteristic. Still Life was my first Opeth album, and I was critical of it at first because I had really never heard anything like it before. Over time, it continued to grow on me until I couldn't get enough. I have seen this scenario repeat time and again, with other people and other Opeth albums. There are simply so many layers to every song, and every album, that it takes time to fully digest the whole. But in the end, it is all amazing.
"I think of Opeth albums like a collection of Fabregé eggs."
"How much do you love Opeth? If the answer is utterly and completely, you will love this album as well." I think of Opeth albums like a collection of Fabregé eggs: each is unique and while you personally may like one in your collection more than another, they are all immensely valuable. Regardless of the individual characteristics of particular records, Opeth is a five skull band, and all of their albums are five skull albums. Period.
In time, I will determine where exactly in the ranking of my list of Opeth albums this one falls, but it is simply too early to commit to such a thing. Opeth is a band full of astounding talent, with incredible songwriting ability. I could conceivably write a book on why I believe Opeth is a rare and amazing band, but I am running short on time at the moment, and won't bore you with my theories on the detailed level at which I believe they write their songs. Naysayers will always naysay - but what you really need to ask yourself is: how much do you love Opeth? If the answer is utterly and completely, you will love this album as well. What more do you need?
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