Im a Watershed/Still Life cant pick which but they are my no 1s kind of fan. This album is up there though i have to add ive had differing experiences getting to love just about every Opeth album.....but love em all i do! That's why they are the best band on Earth 🌍💿🎸🏆🖤🖤🖤
Good review, Jim. It's a well writen concept album. It has more of a theater play feel than a classic album. It has many beautiful parts. One issue for me, the songs can't breath enough. They put so many instruments, micro-riffs and different vocal styles in one song. So no part can't really shine. Old opeth songs were way longer, so the individual parts could breath more. My favorite song is the outro. For me an instant rock-ballad-classic.
It's so beautifully mixed and mastered. Instruments and vocals and spoken word and sound effects swirling all round the place, and all perfectly clear. It's exemplary. Possibly my favourite album of the year. Almost definitely. Maybe.
First time I heard I wasn't sure about it. But the more I listen the better I like it. I think sometimes the shift and transition are a bit early and brutals, but the complexity of this album is really hard to digest. If Opeth continue in this way, think the next album could be the GOAT.
Opeth is such a unique band. I came into them from the Prog side, had a very hard time getting into the growls, but this new album has actually been my gateway into their older material (of which there’s luckily lots to pick from ! ), now I’m starting to obsessively listen to their non Prog era albums. Totally agree, solid candidate for album of the year.
Good to see your journey Jim, i had similar and the vocals really grew on me. I think ghost reveries would be great next, good mix of prog and the older metal sound. Then still life for me is the only other one that gets close to blackwater park
Love the album... wish some of the songs were a bit longer. I think there is some room to breathe in these songs but there are sections that literally end after 4 bars then on to the next one. Sometimes I wish the quieter sections would press on for another 4-8 bars to establish some extra psychedelia. The drums are absolutely fabulous. I thought I would miss "axe" on the skins but this new guy Walt might actually be a smidgen better.. hard to believe.
1. Last Will Testament 2. Ghost Reveries 3. Still Life 4. Watershed 5. Black Water Park My stop 5 Albums of All Time , really the last álbum 💿 deserve it for me ❤❤❤❤❤
Unfortunately the harsh vocals are a no-go for me. I tried to get used to it several times, but failed. I just don’t like them which is a shame, because musically this album is great, but that’s what it is. I’d recommend Pale Communion as the next Opeth album to listen to: musically in the same range as In Clauda Venenum. Great album!
Fredrick and Mikael are two brilliant guitar players... But very different. You can see wich one's wich solos. Fredrik a more metalish quick and incredible scales type and Mikael a more bluesy prog. melodic guitar player. All in all you've made a perfect analisys. Couldn't explain it better. 👌 Made the same aproach to the band like you. Never was a Death metal listenner never liked growls... And i came inlove with this band from the first album...why? I really don't know. But loving every second of the ride
Right on. I feel like you listened to this with the understanding that this isn’t their first rodeo. A lot of folks keep holding it up to stuff from 20 years ago. I would hope no one would do that with my work. Yeah, every second feels designed and intentional on the album. I have no criticism, just gratitude that they would even bother making an album in 2024.
Great review, Jim!👏 To me, it's very clearly Watershed + In Cauda Venenum + Clark soundtrack. I can see if somebody enjoys those and all the proggy "Broadway show" story going on, then you'll love this. However, I don't see much of any other comparisons to their older work like Blackwater Park or Ghost Reveries. Just because it has growls, keyboards, and darkness, doesn't mean it's really anything like those albums...The songwriting structure, drumming, guitar tones, the attitude, and other elements are quite different objectively speaking. I can't help but feel people are a little too much in the honeymoon phase with this one just because it has so much going on, causing this theme park ride sort of "oh wow!" type of reaction. I've sat with it for around 15 listens now and just cannot find much that I want to go back to or that makes me FEEL anything. Don't get me wrong - I WANT to love this album, considering its my favorite band and I worship them. But damn...there just aren't enough of the core elements that made me a fan of their other 13 albums. Maybe too ambitious, too "look what I can do!", and I dare say "jump the shark" even comes to mind. I'm glad a lot of fans love it and don't deny it has amazing production, musicianship, and all that. But for me, it's not doing anything for my soul, which is why I listen to music - Not just to be "entertained" like a wanking Dream Theater record😒😂Time will tell, though. It is still every early to make serious judgements on an Opeth record. They have a strange way of aging✌
@JimNewstead I think it's the concept part of the concept album that throws me. All the little stuff they throw in to keep you unsettled; the discordant clean vocal flips, the funeral organ keyboards, etc. It's all so distracting I'm not hearing most of the songs as a complete piece. A few are quite good, just not enough to bring me back, I think.
@ I have no idea….. where are you? It is blocked in Russia and Belarus. Let's Listen to Opeth: The Last Will and Testament, Part 1 ruclips.net/video/YKnm_o6FriQ/видео.html
Heard it twice now and it's.....fine. Mid tier opeth but not up there with their 2000s peak (sorry but the prog era was nothing special to me). The hype is a bit OTT. Glad people like it and maybe I'll hear it again in a few years and it will click. Happens to me a lot with music.
So you like it then. Personally, I'm not so impressed. Opeth have never gone backwards before but they have here. It throws in everything they have done before but without the development in the songs. They do something then stop and do something else, no build up. It's like Ghost Reveries, Watershed but with smaller songs. It's going backwards but not as good. Feels like they're running out of ideas, not so impressed, that me though.
it's actually the opposite for me regarding the "ideas" : they were able to build fast paced songs without dragging them like they have sometimes done in the past. The composition and the overrall structure of the songs is more complex than their previous albums. TLWAT is extremely dense and the most challenging they have ever done from a listener point of view.
@@lionelleneindre8426 Glad you like it but personally, I don't find it challenging at all. I listened to it loads of times now over last few days but the more I listen, the less impressive I find it. Which is the opposite of the usual Opeth experience.
it's an arrogant and pretentious album that lacks emotions. I can't think of a worse opeth album. growls are a gimmick, nothing is serious, it's infuriating.
This album is absolutely brilliant. I love every second of it and it was worth the wait.
Agreed
The album is so fascinating! Incredibly packed, it's like a new realm. Love it
Im a Watershed/Still Life cant pick which but they are my no 1s kind of fan. This album is up there though i have to add ive had differing experiences getting to love just about every Opeth album.....but love em all i do! That's why they are the best band on Earth 🌍💿🎸🏆🖤🖤🖤
Perfect Album
Good review, Jim.
It's a well writen concept album.
It has more of a theater play feel than a classic album.
It has many beautiful parts. One issue for me, the songs can't breath enough.
They put so many instruments, micro-riffs and different vocal styles in one song.
So no part can't really shine.
Old opeth songs were way longer, so the individual parts could breath more.
My favorite song is the outro. For me an instant rock-ballad-classic.
Thanks
It's so beautifully mixed and mastered. Instruments and vocals and spoken word and sound effects swirling all round the place, and all perfectly clear. It's exemplary.
Possibly my favourite album of the year. Almost definitely. Maybe.
I thoroughly enjoyed your complete listen, and review.
I think this album is spectacular!
🔥🔥❤Opeth❤🔥🔥
Thanks 😁
@@JimNewstead You're welcome. 😁
First time I heard I wasn't sure about it. But the more I listen the better I like it. I think sometimes the shift and transition are a bit early and brutals, but the complexity of this album is really hard to digest. If Opeth continue in this way, think the next album could be the GOAT.
Better each time!
Such a well presented and nuanced view of this great piece of music.
Thank you!
Opeth is such a unique band. I came into them from the Prog side, had a very hard time getting into the growls, but this new album has actually been my gateway into their older material (of which there’s luckily lots to pick from ! ), now I’m starting to obsessively listen to their non Prog era albums.
Totally agree, solid candidate for album of the year.
There’s loads to hear!
Good to see your journey Jim, i had similar and the vocals really grew on me. I think ghost reveries would be great next, good mix of prog and the older metal sound. Then still life for me is the only other one that gets close to blackwater park
Amazing review! I totally agree with you! 👏💪😊🤘
Love the album... wish some of the songs were a bit longer. I think there is some room to breathe in these songs but there are sections that literally end after 4 bars then on to the next one. Sometimes I wish the quieter sections would press on for another 4-8 bars to establish some extra psychedelia. The drums are absolutely fabulous. I thought I would miss "axe" on the skins but this new guy Walt might actually be a smidgen better.. hard to believe.
My only gripe with this album is that it’s too short. That’s really the only thing I can think of. AOTY easily for me
AOTY contender for me, too! Absolute brilliant album and the deluxe box is also really cool. :)
I agree mate, I think this is a banger. Going to see them in Feb at roundhouse London. You should see them live they are phenomenal.
1. Last Will Testament 2. Ghost Reveries 3. Still Life 4. Watershed 5. Black Water Park My stop 5 Albums of All Time , really the last álbum 💿 deserve it for me ❤❤❤❤❤
Bit soon for best ever record isn't it.
Agreed, I need to live with a record for a while to totally love a record.
Great album. Listening to it LOUD in the car, southbound on A3 in the late sunshine of Autumn.... some of the guitar solos are amazing.
Heading to Bournemouth? Nice!
@JimNewstead Portsmouth:-D
Unfortunately the harsh vocals are a no-go for me. I tried to get used to it several times, but failed. I just don’t like them which is a shame, because musically this album is great, but that’s what it is.
I’d recommend Pale Communion as the next Opeth album to listen to: musically in the same range as In Clauda Venenum. Great album!
Fredrick and Mikael are two brilliant guitar players... But very different. You can see wich one's wich solos. Fredrik a more metalish quick and incredible scales type and Mikael a more bluesy prog. melodic guitar player. All in all you've made a perfect analisys. Couldn't explain it better. 👌 Made the same aproach to the band like you. Never was a Death metal listenner never liked growls... And i came inlove with this band from the first album...why? I really don't know. But loving every second of the ride
I'm lucky because I somehow missed the last release so haven't heard anything new to me since the Sorceress 👍🙂
Right on. I feel like you listened to this with the understanding that this isn’t their first rodeo. A lot of folks keep holding it up to stuff from 20 years ago. I would hope no one would do that with my work. Yeah, every second feels designed and intentional on the album. I have no criticism, just gratitude that they would even bother making an album in 2024.
I'm new to Opeth and I have to say my top three songs from each album are Grand Conjuration, Face of Melinda Death whispered me a lullaby
Never been this early!
Great review, Jim!👏
To me, it's very clearly Watershed + In Cauda Venenum + Clark soundtrack. I can see if somebody enjoys those and all the proggy "Broadway show" story going on, then you'll love this. However, I don't see much of any other comparisons to their older work like Blackwater Park or Ghost Reveries. Just because it has growls, keyboards, and darkness, doesn't mean it's really anything like those albums...The songwriting structure, drumming, guitar tones, the attitude, and other elements are quite different objectively speaking.
I can't help but feel people are a little too much in the honeymoon phase with this one just because it has so much going on, causing this theme park ride sort of "oh wow!" type of reaction. I've sat with it for around 15 listens now and just cannot find much that I want to go back to or that makes me FEEL anything. Don't get me wrong - I WANT to love this album, considering its my favorite band and I worship them. But damn...there just aren't enough of the core elements that made me a fan of their other 13 albums. Maybe too ambitious, too "look what I can do!", and I dare say "jump the shark" even comes to mind.
I'm glad a lot of fans love it and don't deny it has amazing production, musicianship, and all that. But for me, it's not doing anything for my soul, which is why I listen to music - Not just to be "entertained" like a wanking Dream Theater record😒😂Time will tell, though. It is still every early to make serious judgements on an Opeth record. They have a strange way of aging✌
Thanks, I really enjoyed the story telling here!
I do think it's a bit samey,but will probably grow on me,on not a fan of the vocal but...
Frankly, once through is enough for me.
I’m surprised at that Craig, I thought you’d be all over this one!
@JimNewstead I think it's the concept part of the concept album that throws me. All the little stuff they throw in to keep you unsettled; the discordant clean vocal flips, the funeral organ keyboards, etc. It's all so distracting I'm not hearing most of the songs as a complete piece.
A few are quite good, just not enough to bring me back, I think.
I feel like this is the most original opeth album. Much more mikael less camel, goblin, popol vuh etc
Why did you remove your reaction to the album?
Huh? I haven’t removed anything!
Why can't I find the reaction to TLWAT then:(@@JimNewstead?
@ I have no idea….. where are you? It is blocked in Russia and Belarus.
Let's Listen to Opeth: The Last Will and Testament, Part 1
ruclips.net/video/YKnm_o6FriQ/видео.html
Let's Listen to Opeth: The Last Will and Testament, Part 2
ruclips.net/video/jwq1KHnD5B0/видео.html
Let's Listen to Opeth: The Last Will and Testament, Part 3
ruclips.net/video/6esiZLCbRac/видео.html
Heard it twice now and it's.....fine. Mid tier opeth but not up there with their 2000s peak (sorry but the prog era was nothing special to me). The hype is a bit OTT. Glad people like it and maybe I'll hear it again in a few years and it will click. Happens to me a lot with music.
Don’t be sorry…. Everyone hears music differently.
Tried no thanks..continuation of there 70s hard rock with some growls
I liked it, but it’s still not as good as those albums in the middle of their discography, IMO
So you like it then.
Personally, I'm not so impressed. Opeth have never gone backwards before but they have here. It throws in everything they have done before but without the development in the songs. They do something then stop and do something else, no build up. It's like Ghost Reveries, Watershed but with smaller songs. It's going backwards but not as good. Feels like they're running out of ideas, not so impressed, that me though.
@@stuartraybould2574 Agreed!
it's actually the opposite for me regarding the "ideas" : they were able to build fast paced songs without dragging them like they have sometimes done in the past. The composition and the overrall structure of the songs is more complex than their previous albums. TLWAT is extremely dense and the most challenging they have ever done from a listener point of view.
@@lionelleneindre8426 Glad you like it but personally, I don't find it challenging at all. I listened to it loads of times now over last few days but the more I listen, the less impressive I find it. Which is the opposite of the usual Opeth experience.
it's an arrogant and pretentious album that lacks emotions. I can't think of a worse opeth album. growls are a gimmick, nothing is serious, it's infuriating.
Pretty poor album imo!
To each his own.
I think it’s their best album since Ghost Reveries.
Yeah, each to their own.