The Concert Reader Reviews:

Opeth with Tapping the Vein and Paradise Lost

There are currently 1 Reader Reviews of this tour.
Average Rating: 5
Go to Judgment Committee Reviews of this tour

Submitted by Berkley Black (2/3/03, House of Blues, Chicago, IL):
Hmm, how do I start...? Like everyone, save Abyss, I missed Tapping the Vein. I am not too terribly sorry about this, for I find them to be a mediocre band at best. Since I heard no response from anyone in the crowd to their set, I am quite convinced that I didn't miss much. At some point in time I might give this band another chance, but the lack-luster album and lack of hype at the show, it won't be soon.
Paradise Lost, a very old favorite, despite increasingly boring albums, took the stage first for me. My lord, these guys really rock. And by rock, I mean rock, ala Creedish sounding rifs and drawn out vocal melodies. I really hate saying that this band 'used' to be great, but it is never-the-less true. Though they are quite accomplished musicians and have a decently commanding stage pressence, even with the slow and clean toned and vocaled songs of the last 4 albums. I hear everyone talking about how great Draconian Times is, and although I agree I long for more of the One Second, Gothic, and Lost Paradise albums. It has been one of my oldest dreams to see these guys metal it out off those albums, I found out that day that it shall always remain that, a dream. I drove with 2 friends to see this show, from Alabama for 2 bands and 2.5 days of ballchilling weather in Chicago, and though I may bitch about their new shit, Paradise Lost is a phenominal band! If you are at all interrested in this band, then work your way backward through their collection and tell me what you think after you have mastered their first album about how great they aren't. I guarantee your tune will change. The second disappointment from this band is that they refused to play their greatest and ever pleasing closing song (not to mention the one that everyone in the crowd was bleating for) "As I Die", off of Shades of God. I loved it, but still the nagging dissappointment lives with me today, 2 weeks later.
On the the highlight of the year, Opeth. 9 songs, 2 hours, and I can never seem to get enough. Unlike Paradise Lost, Opeth took me on a musical journey through all of their Albums including "Godheads Lament" from the rarely heard from Still Life. They did neglect Orchid, but Morningrise got its just deserve through "Advent". "Demon of the Fall" and a "Credence" sing along was all it took for me took for me to lose all sense of reason. I don't remember what they played off of Blackwater Park and Deliverance, but I know they were just beyond compare. Let me see, I remember... "Wreath", "Deliverance", "Leper Affinity", "Bleak" and "Drapery Falls". Wow, that is 9, I guess that is all. I can't believe I remember them all. What a great show. I forever thought that no one could top Opeth's art and beauty on cd, but I was wrong, Opeth top themselves live. Never take an opportunity to miss this band. I doubt the Nile, Dark Tranquillity, SYL, Napalm Death, and Berzerker next week in Atlanta will do much but reaffirm how spectacular this show really was, and I like all those bands, a lot. Woe is me for Opeth has ruined me for other bands.
5 Skulls for being beyond my expectations and blowing me away even through 24 total hours of driving time!

[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.