10/06/02

OPETH / BLACKWATER PARK

I cant for the life of me remember who said it but someone once said "There is beauty in darkness", and in Opeth's case never a true word was spoken. This is a re release of what is without doubt their finest hour so far and if this means that more people wake up to Opeth, this is a worthy exercise.

To call this Swedish band a Death Metal band is to do them a missjustice as they are much more than that moniker suggests. The sheer majesty and sombre beauty of the songs is nothing if not breathtaking but they can still pack a Metal punch when needed and it's this culmination of Metallic power and delicate beauty that is so encapsulating. Trying to describe Opeth is like trying to pick your nose with boxing gloves, damn near impossible but the closest I can get is maybe Emperor meets Tool at a funeral. You really have to listen to the power of "Drapery Falls", the understated beauty of "Harvest" and "Pattern's In The Ivy" to realise you are in the presence of brilliance.

This re issue comes complete with two acoustic tracks and a CD ROM video, which only serves to make this an essential purchase this will be played on the Justin Case Rock show.

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 67 mins + 8 TRACKS