We Say :- I don’t know why, but Opeth have never been a band that I got that excited about, I can take or leave them if I’m honest. That said though they’ve never been a band that I’ve particularly disliked so I thought I’d give their latest offering a listen to see if it could change my mind…
You know what? It’s actually not bad at all, in fact I’d go so far as to say that it’s really rather very good. It’s paints a grim picture in your mind. You know that creepy big house at the top of the hill shrouded in mist? That’s what Heritage is to me. It’s got a dark and moody atmosphere, almost eerie in fact. It pricks your imagination at every turn and, accompanied by some intelligent lyrics, and some great rock music it’s something of an opus.
This is a different side to Opeth, less extreme and more layered and textured. Every instrument on this album plays it’s part and each is given a different role depending on the specific needs of the song. As you would expect, some of the tracks are really heavy but others take a more laid back approach, with undertones of synths or piano that all add to the mystical sound of the album.
I wish to declare now, that Heritage has gone some way to kindling my interest in a band that I’d previously dismissed as ‘meh’, and I will definitely dig their older stuff out to have another listen that’s for sure.
I think Heritage actually a really great album. OK, it takes a bit of getting into but the rewards are rich, especially if you give it the chance to work it’s magic on you. I had to listen two or three times before I really ‘got’ it and I know the response from long-time fans of the band has been mixed.
If you think you know Opeth, think again, as Mikael Åkerfeldt and his cohorts have produced a surprising album that certainly deserves your attention.
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