OPETH

(SWEDEN)

MORNINGRISE

(1996)
LABEL:

CANDLELIGHT RECORDS

GENRE:

DEATH METAL

TAGS:
Epic, Growl, Opera-Rock
""Morningrise" remains an interesting work to listen to in Opeth's discography because it closes a period to start a new one, more melodic and progressive."
STEVENAKERFELDT (09.03.2012)  
4/5
(0) opinions (0) comment(s)
What is impressive with Opeth is that each fan will have a favorite album different from the others, each (or almost) of their works being real references. From "Orchid" to "Watershed" and "Blackwater Park", the Swedes have always known how to renew themselves, without ever getting complacent in their own style, offering each time a quality album and even sometimes incursions into the pure and simple progressive rock, as shown by "Damnation" or more recently "Heritage".

"Morningrise" is one of these albums considered as real pillars of Opeth's work. It is indeed a big step forward for the band because the poetic, romantic and progressive ideas of their first opus, "Orchid", have started to develop here into more refined and subtle tracks. You just have to look at the length of the tracks to understand that Opeth decided to take a more progressive way without abandoning the Death Metal, intrinsic base of their music. We find again the growl parts which are nevertheless rarer, leaving the place to a magnificent clear vocals in melodic and acoustic breaks very pleasant, as on 'The Night And The Silent Water'.

The guitar riffs are also much more melodic, as evidenced by the introduction of the title mentioned above or 'Black Rose Immortal'. Most of the songs are based on a succession of riffs supported by growl and melodic breaks on which Mikael Akerfeldt shows us his talents as a singer, a structure that they will never abandon, making Opeth a schizophrenic band in which the two facets complete each other for the best, like a Gilmour/Waters duo. But if there is one thing that is highlighted on this album, it is the bass of Johann DeFarfalla who offers us groovy and melodic parts, often complementing the clear vocals ('The Night And The Silent Water' or 'Nectar'). The drums also bring a singular character to the music, as they are not very violent for metal, sometimes even a little groovy on the acoustic parts.

Unfortunately, the production of the album is quite low : the guitars sounds are messy, the growl is far from being perfect and that does not emphasize compositions which are really of quality in particular the superb piece of 20 minutes that is 'Black Rose Immortal'. Let's also point out that the transitions between the different parts of the songs are not very subtle, sometimes spoiling the charm that an acoustic passage could have. 

Apart from these few flaws, "Morningrise" remains a quality work to be listened to in the band's discography, because it closes a period while starting a new one: the one where melody and poetry become inherent parts of Opeth's unique and exceptional music.
- Official website

TRACK LISTING:
01. Advent - 13:45
02. The Night And The Silent Water - 11:00
03. Nectar - 10:09
04. Black Rose Immortal - 20:14
05. To Bid A Farewell - 10:57
06. Eternal Soul Torture - 08:35

LINEUP:
Anders Nordin: Batterie / Piano
Johan DeFarfalla: Basse
Mikael Akerfeld: Chant / Guitares
Peter Lindgren: Guitares
   
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