Back catalogue: Metal

Review: Originally released in 2005 and celebrating its 20th anniversary, Ghost Reveries would serve as the eighth full-length from Swedish progressive metal legends Opeth. Following the 2002/2003 two-part project which showcased their most malevolent form on Deliverance and then a resolutely pleasant prog rock opus with Damnation, this follow up sought to rectify one side with the other; coalescing into a masterwork which simultaneously was regarded by longtime fans as a career height, whilst the expanded distribution from signing with major label Roadrunner opened them up to an entire new wave of unsuspecting ears. Marking their first album since 1999's Still Life to not be produced by Porcupine Tree's Steve Wilson, instead duties fell to Jens Bogren (Katatonia, At The Gates, Dimmu Borgir) who helped Mikael Akerfeldt and his cohorts to rediscover their death metal origins yet channelled through their more melancholic sensibilities. Boasting some of their most vital pieces from the epic 10-minute opener 'Ghost Of Perdition', to the even lengthier fan favourite 'Reverie/Harlequin Forest', as well as the equally adored 'The Grand Conjuration', the album has long since been held aloft as the perfect modern entry point to the world of Opeth. The project would also be the first to include keyboardist Per Wiberg as a "permanent" member while serving as their final endeavour to feature both drummer Martin Lopez and long-time guitarist Peter Lindgren.

Review: Originally released in 2003 as the companion piece to the preceding year's equally acclaimed Deliverance, the seventh full-length from renowned Swedish progressive death metal auteurs, Opeth, would mark their first unashamed wade into the waters of retro prog-rock, whilst opting to eschew essentially all metallic machinations. Embracing primary songwriter Mikael Akerfeldt's lush clean vocals, while sonically delving into delicate atmospherics elevated by the prominent use of a mellotron, Damnation has grown in the two decades since its initial release to become a much lauded fan favourite, with many being able to appreciate the sharp turn the group took while noting the reflective balance contrasted against its much more macabre sister album. From the opening notes of essential cut 'Windowpane' onwards, you're pulled into a frosted world of depressive romanticism where the only way out is through. Celebrating its 20 year anniversary with a long overdue reissue, this is a work designed to be spun and absorbed in all its haunting majesty.

Review: The third album from the Swedish prog-metal auteurs served as their first endeavour following the replacement of drummer Anders Nordin with Martin Lopez, while proving that their newfound departure into ethereal waters weaved around their reliable gothic death metal machinations was no mere one-off. Distinguishing itself from its seminal predecessor, Morningrise, by restricting all tracks to below the ten-minute mark (an accomplishment for a group notorious for their eschewing of brevity), the expansive tracklist which includes fan favourites such as 'Demon Of The Fall', would cement Opeth as leaders of a new artistic nuanced form of prog-death which they have continued to refine over the ensuing decades since.

Review: Originally released in 2011 as follow up to 2008's stellar career height Watershed, the tenth full-length from Swedish progressive death metal legends Opeth marked a notable turn, which the members had been desiring to take for some time. Heritage would be their first album since 2003's melancholic Damnation to completely eschew vocalist/guitarist/primary songwriter Mikael Akerfeldt's signature death growls, yet this decision wasn't so much in service of this one particular project as had been so in the past. Rather, this was the sign that the Scandinavian death metal elements of their core sound were ready to be laid to rest in favour of an embrace of the 70s prog rock the members grew up idolising. Drawing on the likes of Genesis, Yes and Rush, whilst allowing Akerfeldt's smooth cadence to lead the pieces, this is vintage, jazzy, complex yet undeniably groovy retro progressive rock of the classic era, complete with fuzzed out guitar lines, bizarre time signatures and an abundance of Hammond organ. Somewhat maligned by some of the fanbase while others lauded the brave and natural change in direction, this style would become the standard Opeth sonic aesthetic up until 2024's latest album The Last Will & Testament, which saw a return to their heavier death metal origins.

Review: Originally released in 1999 and celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Still Life served as the fourth full-length from Swedish progressive metal titans Opeth, while marking their first project with bassist Martin Mendez (the second-longest-serving member after primary songwriter Mikael Akerfeldt). Another concept album following on from 1998's predecessor My Arms, Your Hearse, the narrative details an anti-Christian sentiment of a man ostracised from his village due to a perceived lack of faith, only to return years later to be with his love. It's here where things turn very grim and complex, whilst the narrative is further bolstered by the compositional intricacies, weaving frosted Scandinavian death metal around lush prog-folk harmonies. Reissued on splattered vinyl and spread across a double LP set, the album remains a strong favourite across the devout Opeth camps of the world.

Review: Marking their first album in five years and follow up to 2019's criminally overlooked In Cauda Venenum, Swedish progressive death metal legends Opeth return with their fourteenth full-length The Last Will & Testament. Marking the return of vocalist/guitarist/primary songwriter Mikael Akerfeldt's signature death growls; the first project to feature the inhumane bellows since 2008's Watershed, the work is the band's first concept album since 1999's Still Life, with the narrative based around a wealthy, mysterious patriarch in the post-World War I era whose death leads his family to congregate at his estate to learn horrific secrets as his last will and testament is unveiled. Whilst retracing some of their gloomier, more macabre sonics, musically the compositions continue to embrace the 70's psychedelia of Heritage and Sorceress yet with a notable rediscovery of their harrowing, frosted death metal origins. Pressed on limited marbled 'rough seas' vinyl 2xLP..