Artist: Opeth
Label: Koch Records
Release Date: 3/13/01
Average Rating: 4.8
Go to Judgment Committee Reviews of this Album
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Title: Blackwater Park Artist: Opeth Label: Koch Records Release Date: 3/13/01 |
There are currently 10 Reader Reviews of this album.
Average Rating: 4.8 Go to Judgment Committee Reviews of this Album |
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Reviewed by Ed (10/1/02):
If you're reading this and you don't have this album, please buy it. I realy mean that, and I wouldn't say it about an album by any other band. Not because Opeth are necessarily my favourite band (although they are now that Emperor have split) but because I truly believe that Opeth's albums are artisitic masterpieces on a level with anything (yes, absolutely anything) that has ever been produced. Ever.These songs have the same seamless subtlety and effectiveness of Michalangello's Pieta, they have the same intracate playfullness as Jane Austens novels, they play with their artistic vocablary in a way that is reminicent of Shakespeare. Yes, this is metal. But that does not mean that we can't mention in the same breath as the great artists of history.
Every time I stick an Opeth CD in my player, I am literally shocked by how good they are.
Opeth don't need to use five different obscure Jazz time signatures at once (not that I don't like DEP) or protacted guitar wanks to prove their worth. They prove their worth with the sheer creativity and effectivness of their music.
But I digress. The reason I posted this review was to tell you to buy this record. Buying Still Life would be just as good, but please make sure you do get an Opeth album. If you don't, you're missing out on the most important artistic contribution that metal has ever made.
Reviewed by jrcurtis1134 (1/29/02):
This album kept me listening for hours and I never got bored with it. I feel that all of Opeth's albums are very unique. This one is no different. It is a masterpiece and my favorite album of 2001. This is a must buy.
Reviewed by Dave (9/27/01):
Nothing, NOTHING, could compare to the anticipation I had for this disc. So was I let down...? Strangely enough, yes, I was. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not going to crap all over this release or on Opeth, for that matter. In my opinion, My Arms, Your Hearse is the finest metal album ever to grace this earth, and I believe the guys to be outstanding musicians with no weaknesses. I guess you can say that if MAYH got a 5, Still Life and Morningrise would get 4s, and BP and Orchid would get 3s. Why does BP rank so lowly? One answer: "Dirge for November." Hands down, the worst Opeth song ever written. "The Funeral Portrait," "Bleak," "The Leper Affinity" and "Blackwater Park" all rock. The other three are so-so (including the much bally-hooed "The Drapery Falls"), but "Dirge for November" really stinks it up. It was painful to listen to the first time through, and it still makes me cringe. Normally, one bad track can usually be overcome, but the standards are so high for these gods of metal that I find it inexcusable. Peter needs to spend more time on the band than on his studies. I found the dual harmonies to be lacking, and I don't find whiney guitar leads to be to my liking. For those who love Opeth, by all means, buy this. It's got some memorable material. For those just getting interested into Opeth, check out either Still Life or My Arms, Your Hearse.
Reviewed by Dropgod (7/1/01):
What can I say that hasn't been already used to describe this album?? This album represents all the best parts or factors that makes metal the genre of music that its is, a truly exceptional and mind-bending trip or experience. Musically, few bands can surpass Opeth's seamless fluidity in each and every song. Ever since I heard "Nectar" on the Blackened CD compilation, I have made it my mission to get every Opeth album there is and taking into account where I come from, that's no mean feat. Anyway back to Blackwater Park, from the "Leper Affinity" all the way through the final title track, the music never lets your mind wander. Every time I listen to it, I find something totally new which I didn't hear the first time, be it from either a musical or production point of view. I must say again, Studio Fredman is brilliant (I only have a problem with the way Fredrik mixes and eqs his drums, in particular the kick drum). But he brings the best out in guitars without them overwhelming your ears sonically. This album is not as thick in texture when compared to Still Life (My fav of all the albums, killer storyline) or the hellbent "we are gonna get heavy make u bleed" attitude of My Arms Your Hearse, it is in fact almost an mixture of everything they've done. I am always wondering how they gonna top each album they put out, but they have yet to let me down.Opeth Forever....
Reviewed by Mac (5/14/01):
BEST ALBUM OF 2001 BAR NONE!!!They get better with every album! They are fresh and original even with all these clean vocal bands out there.
Reviewed by Eric Thompson (4/24/01):
Without a doubt, this has probably been one of the most anticipated dark metal albums of the year, and with good reason. First, '99's Still Life release was considered the band's watershed album by many, and speculation was rampant with questions as to whether the band would be able to top it in further excursions. Secondly, word had leaked out that Porcupine Tree visionary Steven Wilson would be co-producing the record. This, of course, sparked another question: would Wilson's space-prog influences find their way onto to the new Opeth disc?All speculation, worry and fretting can now end here, for Opeth have magically done it again. While not being by any means a radical departure from Still Life, Blackwater captures the most dynamic flow of powerful progressive death metal riffs, hypnotic acoustic passages, ultra-expressive vocals (both death and clean) and bleak, ethereal atmospherics the band have ever laid to disc. And far from turning this stunning concept album into some kind of kraut/metal hybrid, Wilson's presence (who also contributes voice, guitar and stunning piano) creates a kind of divine melodic alchemy when combined with Opeth brainchild Mikael Ackerfeldt's penchant for acoustic melodies. I mean, really, the vocal harmonies taking place here are simply among the best, most memorable and often the most complex I've ever heard from the band.
From the start, it becomes obvious that Wilson's unusual talent for creating multi-dimensional "space" in a studio recording has melded beautifully with the band's aesthetic preference for a certain pervasive mood, creating a sonic environment which very much resembles the funereal but eerily beautiful black forest adorning the exquisite cover. Impossible to describe in such a small space as a CD review, Blackwater Park bears witness to the fact that Opeth now stand defiantly at the zenith of their musical prowess, transporting the listener into an entirely different world of strange, morose wonder. You'll be pushing the "play" button over and over again on this one. Epic, haunting and unearthly progressive death/black metal and beyond...
Reviewed by Rain (4/22/01):
Opeth continue to amaze me with their rich feeling and structured songbase! Blackwater Park is so good, I didn't take it out of my car stereo for the first 2 weeks I owned it! Brilliant! The acoustics sound richer and the vocals are full with feeling! If you listen to music for feeling and musicianship, this album is for you! Very atmospheric and haunting! Don't read... just buy!
Reviewed by Clyde Space (4/20/01):
All Opeth's albums are brilliant, but have their own personality withing the realm of progressive black metal with 10 minute songs.Orchid was the heaviest to date... until Blackwater Park. This album maintains high musicianship, prog leanings, black metal scowling vocals, and mood-inducing passages. The clear vocals display a warm, Mel Torme-style satin voice, which make me dig the black metal vocals more; they are used for emotion and effect, not because the guy's voice is jizz and he's just sounding brutal since it's hard to fuck that up. Without a doubt, Opeth's best album. Each song is a trip that weaves though forests, parking lots, the sets from the Planet of the Apes movies, Carneigie Hall, and Allistair Crowley's basement bathroom. Usually albums, like wine, must age for years before achieving such legendary status... but this Blackwater is ready to guzzle upon the first listen.
Reviewed by matt (3/20/01):
HOLY SHIT!!!! THATS ALL I CAN SAY ABOUT THIS ALBUM. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OPETH BEFORE BUT WHENEVER DEATH, HEL AND ABYSS ALL GIVE AN ALBUM 5 SKULLS I PICK IT UP. I'VE ONLY LISTENED TO IT TWICE SO FAR BUT I AM HEARING IS NOTHING SHORT OF A MASTERPIECE. MY METAL CATALOG HAS EVERYTHING FROM CLASSIC DEATH METAL (MORBID ANGEL) TO SOME HARDCORE (HATEBREED) AND THIS ALBUM GAVE THAT CATALOG A WELL NEEDED KICK IN THE ASS. THE VARIATION OF STYLES AND INFLUENCES THAT THIS BAND PUTS TOGETHER IS UNREAL. ONE MOMENT YOU'RE THRASHING YOUR HEAD AROUND AND THE NEXT YOU FEEL LIKE MOZART HAS MADE AN APPEARANCE ON THE CD. I CANT WAIT TO LISTEN TO MORE OF THIS ALBUM AND PICK UP SOME OF THEIR PREVIOUS WORK. THANKS TO DEATH, HEL AND ABYSS FOR NEVER STEERING ME IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.
Reviewed by Claudio Torres (3/15/01):
Opeth, definitely, is the most creative, sweet, dark, heavy and excellent band in the metal scene nowadays. Blackwater Park just confirms the superb quality of their stuff. Dynamic and technical stuff... My fave song is "The Funeral Portrait," even there is not a better song than another, all are at the same high level... Thanks Mikael and Co. for giving this musical gift!Check my complete Opeth's review in Spanish at www.rockaxis.com/index1.php
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