Opeth Watershed Discussion

[Penthesilea]

I've really really really started to dig Three. I'd say they're more prog rock than prog metal, but none the less, I've enjoyed what I've heard so far and I'm psyched for ProgNation 08.

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[Seditedi]

Where are you goin to see it? NYC?

[Penthesilea]

Yeah, I think the wednesday show, but not certain.

[Seditedi]

I was thinking about going. Total bullshit they don't have a Philly date.

[Penthesilea]

DT did that last time they came around for Systematic Chaos. No philly date, then after we got tix for N. NJ, they added a philly show at the Tower.

[Seditedi]

Been a while since the tour dates were announced though, doesn't look like they will be adding a Philly date this late.

[Dolmen]

The new drummer is better than Lopez was. I remember seeing them twice on the "Blackwater Park" tour, and Lopez wasn't doing that well with the older material and staying in time in general. I prefer Anders Nordin of all the Opeth drummers. Axenrot isn't bad, but he does kind of bring a bit of the Witchery/Satanic Slaughter feel to the drums seeing as their albums were pretty cookie cutter Swedish thrash/death metal. I also felt that Mendez's bass lines weren't as prominent as they could of been with this new album. I've always dug Mendez's style, and felt his talents haven't been shown enough. I loved his line on "Reverie/Harlequin Forest" until ~2:35, granted I didn't like the album.

[Seditedi]

Anders Nordin?
Lopez and Axenrot are both miles above him in my opinion.

Nordin's drumming was so generic and simplistic.

I agree that Lopez wasn't the best live drummer (nothing I could complain about when I saw them on BWP tour, but I've heard some live recordings that didn't sound the best). Lopez was definitely the best studio drummer, whereas Axenrot is a better live drummer.

The drums on GR, especially those on Reverie/Harlequin Forest and Beneath the Mire are some of my favorite drums in an Opeth song prior to Watershed.

[Obev]

The prog stuff on this reminds me a whole lot of King Crimson, which isn't a bad thing. Enjoying this record immensely so far; better than Ghost Reveries in my opinion. After Saturday's experience, they seem to have got a lot tighter live since the last time I saw them at the Roundhouse. It was almost as good as the first few times I saw them in the tiny Mean Fiddler touring for Blackwater Park... ah, memories.

[Tricen]

Apparently I like all the albums you guys don't like and vice versa lol <.<

[Obev]

That's because you've got no taste.

[volcanicweather]

I won't buy this album because there's no point in only listening to 3 songs...

You are seriously the worst music "fan" of all-time. You're telling me it's never happened to you before where you acquired an album for a song or two and the album grew on your as a whole?

Of course, it also wouldn't be an Opeth thread without you saying how their "new" stuff sucks. You don't like Opeth. We get it. Stop trolling.

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My opinion of the album: It still needs a little time to sink in. It's quite different than anything else they've done in the sense it's taken on a more "experimental" vein. I absolutely love Mikael's vocals on the song "Burden"; quite possibly his best vocals on any song to date. The album is not too heavy, with only "Heir Apparent" really reflecting an atypical Opeth song in my mind. Initially I am a little underwhelmed, because as stated in a previous thread, Opeth has set the bar so high for themselves it can be difficult to meet the expectations I have for them.

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As far as the opening acts for Progressive Nation go, people should absolutely arrive early and check out Three. I saw them open for Porcupine Tree last year and they were easily one of the best opening acts I have ever seen (and I've been to easily 100 shows). They utilize dual percussionists extremely well and lead singer has a fantastic live voice.

Between the Buried and Me was just "OK" live in my opinion... although I do like some of their albums. Colors was great, so was The Anatomy Of. "Selkies" is still one of my favorite songs by them, although I'm not as big of a fan of their older material.

It's kind of sad for Prog Nation 08, Dream Theater is probably the band I want to see live the least... I checked them out on their last tour and maybe it was just a bad night, but they were really uninspiring.

[Seditedi]

It'll definitely take time to sink in for most people I think.
The only Opeth album that really took a while for me to get into was My Arms, Your Hearse.

[Dolmen]

VW:

Why buy an album that I only like 3 songs from? I'm not even going to keep the MP3s as I staunchly support buying/owning whatever you have MP3s of. I've listened to the leak numerous times to figure out if the other songs will sink in, alas they do not. I make my mind up on music extremely fast. I feel the album does jump around a lot stylistically, and while normally I enjoy that, it doesn't form a natural flow to me. I base what I listen to off of mood, and there are very different moods that I attribute to the songs on the new album. The prog/mellow elements on the new album are extremely well done, like I've said before, and if they were used more I'd buy this album. I hate owning albums where you hit Skip a lot throughout the album, that was the case with "Still Life." I also don't hate Opeth, as their "Morningrise" album is easily my favorite album of all-time. I'm just not a fan of their newer, more chord-based metal style, but their mellow moments I do enjoy.

[Amarok]

The new drummer is better than Lopez was. I remember seeing them twice on the "Blackwater Park" tour, and Lopez wasn't doing that well with the older material and staying in time in general. I prefer Anders Nordin of all the Opeth drummers. Axenrot isn't bad, but he does kind of bring a bit of the Witchery/Satanic Slaughter feel to the drums seeing as their albums were pretty cookie cutter Swedish thrash/death metal. I also felt that Mendez's bass lines weren't as prominent as they could of been with this new album. I've always dug Mendez's style, and felt his talents haven't been shown enough. I loved his line on "Reverie/Harlequin Forest" until ~2:35, granted I didn't like the album.

I have always liked Mendez as well, but I think Johan was suited for Opeth's style so much better. The bass lines on Morningrise are some of my favorite from any band.

[Seditedi]

@ Tricen: I like all Opeth.
Favorite is probably Still Life though.

edit: In order of preference I'd probably say..
Still Life > Ghost Reveries > Blackwater Park > Watershed > My Arms, Your Hearse > Morningrise > Orchid

They are all badass in their own right though.

[Shalyn]

Still Life is a definite favourite of mine, this album has been running non-stop though, I love it and singing to it and .. dancing.. >.> I CAN'T WAIT to see them! Maybe I'll get to meet Mikael again.
As far as drumming goes, I saw them about 2 years back and was utterly disappointed that Lopez wasn't there because it was very mediocre. I think that's the only thing I'm missing in this album, he really knew how to do a jazzy-feel. There aren't many parts in this album where I'm like "Ya drum solo!", which is sad because my favourite thing about Opeth was that I could take anything from them and enjoy it as a single thing even apart from the music. Not saying this guy is terrible, just not what I'm used to I guess.
Anyone else headed to the Toronto show??

[Seditedi]

Lopez had more feeling.
Axenrot just feels.. mechanical.
I love his drums, it's just that Lopez was more diverse. I think Axenrot will adapt come next album though.