Checking Out Opeth Paragraph 2 from Will and Testament Release

[@darkphoenix2]

This entire album feels like "Ok this is obviously great music but I need like 50 listens for me to fully appreciate it"

[@drearyaugust1853]

I've listened to the full album only twice yet. First run left me feeling kinda strange as i thought to myself "where are the quiet, heartwrenching moments?" for some reason. Second run: "oh they are actually there" and i liked it so much more already! Definitely a strong grower. Can't wait to put it back on later tonight

[@MartinaHorvat-g3g]

Not exactly 50 listens, 3 times was enough for me to realize how fantastic it is, but it's too short. Have you noticed that you can enjoy such albums more intensively and for a longer period of time?

[@blackwood4090]

That's kind of the deal with prog music, if it was an "easy listen", wouldn't be prog at all

[@deminybs]

this is where good headphones come in handy!!! I can listen in my car, with my galaxy buds, with my milwaukee stereo at work, or my Klipsch setup at home... yet the relatively cheap beyerdymanic DT 990 pros with a cheap Rockville DAC/AMP sounds better than all of them hands down 😂😂

[@mikaelakerfeldt27]

you should definitely check Paragraph-4 next!!

[@markwilburn4962]

100% on that one.

[@jasonjenkins6373]

ahaha i just commented same as you!

[@mateodeo9161]

Paragraph 5 and 6 are even better (the peak)

[@jamesderekeikeland9048]

Oh yeah, some nice music there, love the flute and solo guitar part, but 4-6 are the strongest part of the album in my opinion

[@dougdougw]

What he should do is listen to the album in order like a normal person, especially as it's a concept album.

[@ilikeheadcrabs]

This is definitely one that deserves listening to the whole album, it’s absolutely fantastic. It’s all the best parts of Opeth put into an episode of succession. Mega.

[@Sprnklrmn]

Just go ahead and listen to the entire album from start to finish. It’s perfection!

[@urbanpersson9440]

Because this album is a concept album you should start with chapter 1 to get the whole picture so everything makes sense.

[@daveoaktowers]

Paragraph 5 needs a listen, it's incredibly layered. Mixing the newer opeth sounds with the old

[@drearyaugust1853]

The narrator is performed by Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, don't think it was mentioned here

[@EiriUesugiKun]

Exactly what I was coming here to say. And he plays some neat flute tunes on the album as well!

[@to4stywo4sty54]

I heard it was Joey tempest of the band europe. Do they have credits for this song?

[@JudgeLazar]

This is a great album. Exactly what was needed from Opeth. I enjoy all of their albums but this style of mixed Death Metal with progressive "normal" music is the pinnacle of their sound. Fun Fact: The man narrating is Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, who does a couple flute sections on the album as well.

[@satishanirudh7941]

I love it in the song when he goes HEY!

[@alistairclifton1286]

Love this so much, who would have thought Ian Anderson, Joey Tempest and Opeth haha

[@martinhelgesson1417]

Need to put some hours into this one as usually but seems like an album you need to listen to from start to finish. Album is about a late father and the paragraphs is the will written.

[@30yearsoldiam1]

No album requires you listen from start to finish. It's just a term used to imply that the songs form a cohesive whole.

[@martinhelgesson1417]

@30yearsoldiam1 agree to disagree. Depends on person and preference. None are right or wrong.

[@stevenbenson]

Love the Vegemite front and centre 👌. Great album!

[@Prognosis__]

As an Australian, I don’t like Vegemite

[@danieldelrio1411]

S4 - S6 - S2 - S7 - S3 -S5 -S1 ❤️🎸👍

[@sandyferati6625]

I'm at about listen 8 or 9. Better and better..love it!

[@Micas099]

I'm really diggin' the new album. I had checked out when Opeth went on their 'Jazz Oddessey', but this new album is simply brilliant. There's nothing quite like it.

[@oliverprins4399]

Paragraph 4

[@AkumaAPN]

I just saw Opeth in concert last month. Mikael referred to these song titles as "Paragraph #." In America, this double S is used mainly in documents, contracts, and laws to refer to a "Section." However, it is more common in Europe (where Opeth is from) to use this symbol for "Paragraph." So, straight from the horse's mouth, Mikael Akerfeldt says this song is called "Paragraph 2." (In America, we use a double P for "Paragraph.")

[@alistairclifton1286]

Paragraph 7 is so damn good

[@Eirath]

As this is a concept album and every song (but the last) kind of bleed into each other narratively and musically, I could not recommend enough to listen to the whole album in one sitting. It's kind of necessary to take it in I'd say.

[@MasaTheSlayer]

Really waiting to see them live on February.

[@ulfingvar1]

This is possibly the best track, and that says a lot, the whole album is a masterpiece, Opeth's best!

[@mateodeo9161]

I would say track §5 and §6 are the peak on this album. IMO.

[@mateodeo9161]

Another excellent album. 👌

[@kalas-kurt]

The album concept is a cover story for the global ruling family elites (and them loosing their grip on humanity). The sound being like a theatre is because we live in one, in many ways. It's geniously written, with their old esoteric/occult vibes fully blooming here. Takes a few listens to melt but wow. What a record ✊ much love man ❤

[@darrenbooker8144]

Geebz, you gotta listen to this in its entirety, it's AOTY

[@TheConfusionalCat]

Nice one.

[@oliviergagnon2592]

I wondered what the symbol was too man no worries 😂

[@nietzscheente1271]

It's a concept album. It tells a whole story. I recomment you to listen to it from start to finish.

[@AkZeal76]

This track has backing vocal from Joey Tempest (of the band Europe) and spoken word segments from Ian Anderson (of Jethro Tull) . Really complements the thick lush production

[@taskmaster5437]

After listening to the whole album, it's just a nice mix up of everything Opeth is great at, Paragraphs 1, 4 & 5 being the most notable. Personally, Story Never Told has been the most enjoyable track for me. It's the same wave of feelings I got from the ending tracks of progr-ock-era Opeth with the endings of Pale Communion and In Cauda Venenum, some of my favorite Opeth moments. Edit: I was conflating some thoughts.

[@scottchrismon4492]

The whole album is about the death of the patriarch of the family that has a lot of skeletons in the closet. The paragraphs are the Will readings. Really need to start at S1. This is one of the greatest progressive metal albums. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull is doing the spoken word and has flute playing on several tracks.

[@yyusufbkr]

you should definitely check paragraph 6

[@alaksandutheexorkizein7634]

You check out a band which is called 'Dawn - Slaughter Sun'

[@Opranius]

OPETH GRLOWZ ARE BACK :-D

[@drearyaugust1853]

I find it interesting that they sound more visceral this time around like the way he did them on his last two featured Bloodbath releases and less like the old Opeth albums, where it always had a bit of a milder edge to it. Just my personal impression i love all his vocal performances ❤

[@Eirath]

@@drearyaugust1853 I agree. I think it's because it's a personal horror type of concept album. So it's deliberately more sinister growls.

[@drearyaugust1853]

@@Eirath Yes!! Exactly the vibe i was getting too

[@Ventryx]

@@drearyaugust1853 probably the best he's ever done. Incredible

[@alfonsoagren414]

The parts with tgat man narrator voice made me think of Jeff Waynes ”War Of The Worlds”.

[@Darker_Waters]

Ah yes, the great joey tempest on the backing vocals. \m/

[@prawtism]

around 10 listens in, paragraph 1 is the only one I currently enjoy in full :D

[@gedgemondod8808]

Please listen to the whole album

[@alexe3700]

HEEYY!!

[@mattj1871]

We're laughing. But with ya'. 😉

[@UncleAnaesthesia]

I have an affinity for concept albums and Opeth, so lemme tell ya-when Opeth took six years to craft a concept album that incorporates all themes they've explored over the past two and a half decades, it had my full attention to be clear. It was even better live.

[@henriklundporsgaard4393]

Why does the video description say "feat. Mikael Åkerfeldt"?; he is literally the lead singer of the band, and has been almost since the beginning. Strange.

[@golgol4903]

yeah it feels like Ghost Reveries/Watershed mixed with their more recent stuff. The album is great tho I'd prefer some longer tracks.

[@MelbzMTBros]

I came for Opeth, I stayed for the Vegemite.

[@jasonjenkins6373]

paragraph 4 is my favourite 🙃 thumbs up for geebz to check out that one 😜

[@MrGreendayzed]

as someone who is balls deep into Yes. i see what you mean.

[@INCRYPTIDFORM]

Paragraph 6 next

[@nikospantelis6492]

I want you to react to all of Parasomnia, new Dream Theater album!

[@anshsharma9991]

paragraph 4 and 7 next

[@oregonwoodelf]

Interesting one eh, Geebz? 🤙 Hey, coming from somebody who worships this band...IMO this album is basically nothing like Opeth😂🤷‍♂I mean aside from the guys playing it and elements from the later half of their discography... Which is cool! Not knocking it - Mikael is continuing to be creative and evolve. BUT, the song structures/themes on this album are really just a bunch of scenes of a story all chained together. Full blown story mode concept album. You just bounce from one scene to the next. None of the songs feel like they have much of an identity, they just feel like 50 mins of a prog metal soundtrack. It might as well be one long "song" and skip the whole paragraph thing. The execution and craftsmanship is incredible - no question. However, as somebody who isn't really into Broadway shows or tv scores, it doesn't do much for me other than go oh wow! at a lot of short pieces, then swept to the next thing. Lot of people love it, though! ✌🧝🌴

[@metalboy27]

Now do the new Blood Incantation.

[@markblaauw4961]

Top three album of Opeth. Screen this. You'll agree with me in time.

[@INCRYPTIDFORM]

Doesn’t even touch top five. Still a 10/10 tho 1: My Arms Your Hearse 2: Still Life 3: Deliverance 4: Blackwater Park 5: Morningrise 6: Orchid 7: Ghost Reveries 8: The Last Will And Testament 9: Damnation 10: Watershed

[@markblaauw4961]

@INCRYPTIDFORM I know all of theirs. Tastes differ don't they? I was a bit too confident when I said: ' Screen this' 😅🤘

[@Prognosis__]

@@INCRYPTIDFORMghost reveries down that low?

[@INCRYPTIDFORM]

@ lowkey tied with Morningrise and Orchid

[@Ventryx]

@@INCRYPTIDFORM Watershed dead last? Smoking some good crack brother

[@frito0101]

*paragraph 2 😁

[@tygical]

yo can you react to monarch of monsters by vylet

[@scyphe]

§2 is probably my least favorite on this album while §5 and §6 are my favorites (for now).

[@ruuhi_69]

test

[@dougdougw]

Why on earth would you start with the second track? At least start with track 1 and listen to the whole thing!