Ghost Reveries

Description

Limited 180gm audiophile vinyl LP. Includes poster and four page booklet. The eighth full-length album Ghost Reveries by Swedish heavy metal band Opeth is the epitome of what metal should be: a work of art. The album is filled with heavy, intricate, and precisely performed guitar riffs. You can't avoid the monstrous riffs in a song like 'The Grand Conjuration'. As the band's main composer, Mikael Åkerfeldt successfully managed to transfer his dark emotions into all those twisted solos, surrounded then by a wall of even thicker riffs. Opeth's technical capacity mark them out from both their followers and their peers and accordingly Ghost Reveries is definitely one of the greatest metal albums ever recorded. This album is a culmination of everything Opeth have worked toward throughout their career. It's fully realized, stunningly beautiful and emotionally fragmented. The highly successful Swedish metal band Opeth rose to fame in the early zero's, after releasing a couple of fan highlights. Review: An album that defines genre crossing, envelope smashing masterpiece - Hailed as too progressive to some, and too American to others, and heckled by others for signing to RoadRunner records, Opeth release their greatest(and last album with Martin Lopez) album to date, Ghost Reveries.There is so many layers to Ghost Reveries, its amazing. First of all, the musicians are incredibly amazing. They are truly masters of their instruments, challenging the realms of creativity and crafting a relationship with eachother and their instruments that borders on perfection. Also, The styles that are portryed on this album range from rock to death metal to psychedelic 70's progressive rock to acoustic beauty. Another thing, the lyrics are poetic and stunning, as well as dark and they paint a grim story over the stunning music. Mikaels voice is one of the most beautiful and menacing voices in music, varying from the fierce to beautiful. Ghost Reveries is a definite progression and evolution from their previous works. I personally love this album and I believe that Ghost Reveries is total perfection. And the recent addition of a keboardist really rounds out the band, adding some nice atmosphere and avant-garde to an already fleshed out band. Depression lyrics aside, there is a story in the lyrics, that is not really discernable, but nevertheless, this album is a true testament to precision and perfection. The limits and boundries that Opeth push musically are amazing. Everything that happens on this album was meant to happen and everything is in its right Place. Dark gutteral growls over heavy yet intricate guitar riffs and sonic off beat drum beats, soft vocals over acoustic ramblings, spaced out progressive jammin over tablas, and the serene meloncholy musings of master musicians. From tempo changes to style changes to masterful breakdowns, Opeth's music in general seems to be on the verge of classical, and truly a classic. If your into amazing music and amazing musicianship but are weary of the wastoid and horrid Death Metal genre, pick up Opeth. I did not like Death Metal until I heard Opeth, and they still remain the GODS of Death Metal. One of the best bands ever.... 1)Ghost of Perdition is an amazing song that balances the beauty and tranquility with the fierce and heavy. There is even a little bit of a Tool throwback in guitar riff wise. Amazing song with a nice chilled out break down. The growling on this song is better than I have ever heard from Mikael. On point guitars, bass and drums, and the keyboard addition is really nice. 2)The baying of the hounds starts of standard for an Opeth piece, but soon finds its way into a chilled out base and drum part that has awesome. Then back to heavy with a killer solo, then into a beautiful classical sounding part that is wonder to the ears. (its the little parts that are thrown in that make this record a real treat to the ears), then they are back to the heaviness. 3)Beneath the mire has an awesome middle eastern rhythm and melody with it that forms into sort of traditional Opeth which then transforms into musical orgasms. 4)Atonement has middle eastern polyrhythms and such a chilled feel over tablas, an amazing and spaced out Opeth tune. The keyboards wonder all over the place and provide much atmosphere. 5)reverie/harlequin forest starts off with a nice intro(again with the awesome little throwins!), seems at first more like a pop metal tune, subdued yet forceful, then turns into a growling masterpiece with mellow parts intertwined within. 6)Hours of Wealth is a chilled out blues sounding tune that is haunting and beautiful, starts with a nice guitar riff that turns into a cool keyboard driven melody. 7)The grand conjuration(their hit off the album), is a stoic, frenzied ride through deep growls, intense drums and heavy guitars with nice little chilled and haunting parts thrown in(in all the right places of course!). 8)Isolation years is like the farewell, the ending to the story, a beautiful soft tune. I can't really explain these songs well enough, you just have to pick this album up! Deserves many repeated listens to full grasp the artistry and mastery found on this piece of history. I can see that there are many listeners that did not enjoy Ghost Reveries and its dynamic musicianship. There is even one reviewer that stated that Opeth do not sing in their native tongue or accent because they are trying to appeal to American fans. HUH?!?! You read way too much into things my friend. Opeth is an amazing band that literally blows away almost every band in our petty American Metal scene. Most of the bands that emerge from the depths of our shores are either NU-Metal or garbage or horribly played out and copy-cat style bands. Opeth have forged a style all their own. Its true, they are not for everyone, only for those that enjoy heavy as bricks yet soft and beautiful music with amazing dynamics and masterful musicianship. Like em or hate em, they have forged their own unique path within music that none can tread. Review: The Greatsest Album Ever Recorded... - Opeth have, for a long time, been regarded as one of the best Progressive and Melodic Death Metal acts around. And for once, it seems everyone agrees: Opeth are the greatest. Sinse releasing their epic debut 'Orchid', Opeth have amazed audiences the world over with their singular style and diverse instrumental range. I have owned this album ever since it first came out, but have conserved my review until i was sure that i had completely experienced the album for all it has to offer, and had memorised every single moment in it. Opeth are, in my opinion, the greatest band out there. Mikael Akerfeldt has the kind of voice that most vocolists dream of having. While changing at lightning-fast speed from a demonic, growling, beast to a soft, sweeping, and hauntingly melodic tune, he creates a melody and rythm so complex that, after hearing the album more times i could possibly remember, it still amazes me. What sets this album apart from Opeth's previous achievements, is that of all their previous albums, the most Opeth ever spent practicing was three days. With this album it was three weeks. This has been the main contributer to the military-precision on this album. The drumming follows the guitar and bass PERFECTLY, so much so that the timing on Ghost Reveries could be described as magical. The guitar-work on the album is wonderful, and more artfully done, dare i say it, than other Opeth albums. The bass is also perfectly timed and strings the album together seamlessly. The guitar sound here is also different, richer and smoother sounding, and fits perfectly with the albums 'sound'. Ghost Reveries is produced MUCH more than any other Opeth, and sounds more like Dream Theater. It was produced entirely by Opeth themselves. This album is so fantastic, i can barely describe the experience of listening to it. It is defenitely, without a doubt, my favourite album ever recorded. The only two thing about the album that dissapoint, just a little, are the song 'Atonement' which has a weird middle-eastern vibe that doesn't suit the album AT ALL. And... i have long loved Mikael Akerfeldt's superb lyrics, but here they seem to drag. Although there are still some AWESOME lyrics here, like 'Isolation Years' and 'The Baying Of The Hounds'. Some of the other songs lyrics are just a bit... hollow. Here are my reviews for the songs: 'Ghosts Of Perdition' 5 stars. An epic and extremely memorable opener that doesn't drag at all during the 10 minutes of it's length. Well lives up to it's astounding critical acclaim. 'The Baying Of The Hounds' 5 stars. Another epic, very similar to the style of Ghosts Of Perdition, but a bit more progressive and with more elements of modern metal. 'Beneath The Mire' 5 stars. A shorter, (nine minute), song that mixes beautiful melodies with extreme metal. Haunting and enchanting, it's a song you will never forget. 'Atonement' 3 1/2 stars. The only song here that is mediocre. It pains me to give it a bad score, but i have to be honest, and this song just doesn't come close to any of the other songs on Ghost Reveries. It just doesn't suit the style of the album. It's one of Opeth's worst, and there aren't many of them! 'Reverie/Harlequiem Forest' 5 stars. The longest song on the album, being 11 minutes, which is very gothic and haunting. Wondeful vocals on this song, and it ends with one of the best drum beats ever written. 'Hours Of Wealth' 5 stars. This is a jazzy and soft, completely melodic, track that flows in and out of dreamy like passages. A wondeful song, fantastic singing. 'The Grand Conjuration' 5 stars. A return to the epic styling of Ghosts Of Perdition and The Baying Of The Hounds. The cut down version is the only single off the album. Wonderful moments throughout the song, with catchy and precise chorus lines. Sadly, this song has perhaps the worst Opeth lyrics ever. 'Isolation Years' 5 stars. Probably the best closer for an album that i have ever heard. This is the song that, after writing, Akerfeldt decided to create a half concept, half not, album. Wonderful lyrics and melodic singing. So, as a summary, i would advise ANYONE to buy this album, because it is truly something you will not forget. This is Opeth at their very most talented and precise. It showcases perfectly their wonderful musical abilities and displays the band in their very element. Ghost Reveries is even better than 'My Arms, Your Hearse' which is Opeth's third album and one of their heaviest. This album shows what Opeth truly are: Masters of Music. Just from one listen of any Opeth album, it's obvious that, unlike most bands out today, they truly understand music, and they know how to write songs that never get boring or lag, no matter how long they go for.