Opeth revealed the first single from their upcoming 12th album, ‘Sorceress’ this week and the new single is exciting many fans. It looks like the band is continuing their trend of a more progressive sound. Mikael Åkerfeldt’s ability to shift style and fearlessness to explore new territories are what have made this band one of the most enduring of this generation. We thought we would put together a list of our Top 5 Opeth albums from a more Prog perspective.
5. Damnation – The first Opeth album to have only clean vocals and all acoustic and clean guitars. Produced by Steven Wilson, this was the album you could show people who didn’t like Opeth for the growl vocals. It also opened up the doors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-mbXFsL5Kk
4. Pale Communion – Perhaps their most 70’s influence Prog album; again no growl vocals and lots of organs. The album is very melodic an well written, often referred to as the album Heritage should have been.
3. Ghost Reveries – Their first album on a major label, the crisp production adds to the maturity of the album. Some stellar progressive moments throughout, even with the growls.
2. Watershed – The real introduction of progressive grooves for the band that had already solidified themselves as masters of Prog Metal. It was also their last album to feature their signature growls.
1. Blackwater Park – Considered by most fans their masterpiece and the turning point for the band. Tracks like the powerful opener “The Leper Affinity” and the title track still resonate today.
I personally would revers the order of these 5 albums.