APRIL 2002

SURPRISE OF APRIL 2003

 

THE BEST ALBUM OF APRIL

 

OPETH
"DAMNATION"

 I've been waiting to listen to "Damnation" for so long. I was very curious to see the next step that Opeth are going to do in their carrier. So, after all, I've listened to "Damnation". The whole result was very close to what I was expecting from the band. But although someone's says that can't predict what the band might play always in the end, Opeth's music is unpredictable! The album is far away from "Deliverance" and shows the mellow side of Opeth. In this album there are no heavy riffs of "hard" vocals, but the unique melancholic, deep and sad Opeth's feeling still remains! The songs are so close to Opeth but yet so far away from what they had produced in the past!

Mike Akerfeldt really "terrified" me with his majestically and heavenly vocal harmonies of the songs and of course for once more the tremendous depressing guitar melodies and solos! In this point I must refer once more again to Steve Wilson who have give the 100% of his powers (possibilities) and have offered so great help to the band. Steve seams to be the "fifth member" of Opeth. Of course we must not forget Peter Lindgren, Martin Mendez, and Martin Lopez who have also give their selves in order to achieve such a damn good result in this album.

I really do not want to talk or to analyze the songs of the album cause I feel that I cannot pass you the right Opeth's feeling that only if you listen to this album you will understand it perfectly! Every Opeth album can be listened only from the beginning to the end and believe me, there are no "super hits" here that usually helps any band to push their albums, to sell some more copies. When the "journey" begins you must "sink" into the Opeth's mood and to travel to the landscapes that you can only feel if you close your eyes while you listening to the album. Think, Sense, Feel, Travel, Search, Love, & Cry…The Catharsis…Upon Thou…

 

 RELEASE DATES
EUROPE: APRIL 14th 2003
      USA: APRIL 22th 2003

by Thanos Aggelakis 9/10

CURRENT LINE UP

Mikael Akerfeldt - Guitars, Vocals 
Peter Lindgren - Guitars 
Martin Lopez - Drums 
Martin Mendez - Bass 

THE TRACKLIST OF THE ALBUM

1. Windowpane
2. In My Time Of Need
3. Death Whispered A Lullaby
4. Closure
5. Hope Leaves
6. To Rid The Disease
7. Ending Credits
8.Weakness (Bonus)