Opeth - Damnation (2003)

Track Listings

1. Windowpane (7:44)
2. In My Time Of Need (5:49)
3. Death Whispered A Lullaby (5:49)
4. Closure (5:15)
5. Hope Leaves (4:30)
6. To Rid The Disease (6:21)
7. Ending Credits(3:39)
8. Weakness (4:08)

Total Time: 43:32

Line-up/Musicians

- Mikael Akerfeldt / vocals, guitars
- Peter Lindgren / guitars
- Martin Mendez / bass guitars
- Martin Lopez / drums & percussion

Guest:
- Steve Wilson (PORCUPINE TREE) / Grand piano, mellotron, Fender Rhodes & backing vocals

Opeth's 7th album is their experimental "Damnation ". This album is purely mellow, which contrasts to their usual Progressive Metal tendencies and cookie monster vocals. Akerfeldt's amazing voice is completely clean which complements a new addition to the Opeth family: keys. Producer Steve Wilson is a genious at the mellotron and piano on this album, filling in the gap that makes this album complete.

A song that shouts "experimental" is "Closure" with its Middle-eastern riffs and Latin beat. Martin Lopez really shows off his Latin percussion. Martin Mendez also fills in the low end very nicely with every song, especially in "Windowpane"; which also happens to be my favorite track on this album. Every song besides "Ending Credits" (I'll get to that later), is depressing and "Windowpane" is the most emotive. I feel that Mikael Akerfeldt has some of his best solos on this album, simplistic, yet not boring. As with every Opeth album, the clean vocals are amazing, the songwriting is catchy and unparalleled, and a double bonus for Steve Wilson's harmonies and lyrics on "Death Whispered A Lullaby".

The only non radio friendly is "Weakness". When I first heard the song, I hated it. It grew on me, and I now feel that it is up there with "Windowpane". The reason why it isn't radio friendly, is because it is just Synth and Guitar, its really progressive even for Opeth. This song is extremely deep however, and maybe after a few listens you'll appreciate it as well.

"Ending Credits" is Opeth's cover of a Camel song, but it beats me as to which Camel song it is. Thats why it is up-beat, but it still is ever-so melodic in true Opeth fashion. Very solid cover. The only downfall with this album is that there is not enough!

Perfect (10/10)