Opeth Albums Ranked - Worst to First

[@emotionlessniv]

Very interesting. Here's my personal list: 1. Ghost Reveries 2. Still Life 3. In Cauda Venenum 4. Blackwater Park 5. Damnation 6. Watershed 7. Deliverance 8. My Arms, Your Hearse 9. Pale Communion 10. Morningrise 11. Orchid 12. Sorceress 13. Heritage

[@HemeHaci]

Change the first and the second and that's my list.

[@wildwess6615]

Thank you finally someone realizes how good In Cauda Venenum actually is respect to you and great ranking man🤘🏻⭐️

[@GVLSCH]

This is the most chaotic ranking video ive ever watched The fact that theres no pre ranking or script to the timestamps being just comepletely fucked up to the list that makes any long time opeth fan raise one or two eyebrows. I love it

[@oldjack-mi8gk]

My list changes month to month, but the five best from my most dispassionate, critical analysis: 1. Watershed 2. Heritage 3. Blackwater Park 4. Damnation 5. In Cauda Venenum Ghost Reveries has several instant classic tracks, but suffers some fatal inconsistencies, imo. I like My Arms, Yours Hearse quite a lot.

[@pizzashorts887]

Interesting list. I love the new album as well.

[@Magnumscrotus]

Really glad that you like heritage like you do. Strangely id put above blackwater park too cuz its so well realized and cohesive thru out. Really feels like a singular unique experience.

[@oregonwoodelf]

Interesting picks! I listen to an unhealthy amount of Opeth 😂 They are easily my favorite band of all time and my list changes every month or so. The great thing about Opeth album rankings is that they are so diverse from person to person! Which is a clear sign that they've put out no real stinkers. All of them are a 7/10 minimum. For me, this list comes down to which albums I find myself going back to the most over time, the emotional response, along with how "complete" the album is from a somewhat objective point of view (if that's even possible). So, with all that said, as of now... 13. Pale Communion - Hardly any songs on here have me coming back often, but I really like River. 12. Morningrise - Production lacking and somewhat drawn out tracks. 11. Orchid - Still finding their feet it feels like, poor production, but some great tracks anyways. 10. Deliverance - By the Pain I See in Others is my least liked song in their catalogue. Aside from that, it basically only has 4 songs (although great ones). 9. Heritage - Dark, experimental, moody, a welcome change from what they were doing and a good start in a new direction. 8. Damnation - All great songs, but like Joe said, too similar throughout. 7. Ghost Reveries - A couple songs I LOVE and others I'm meh about. 6. Watershed - Some of their best production IMO and packed with a good blend of heavy/soft bits. 5. In Cauda Venenum - Innovative, heavy, lush, extremely soulful. This one has slowly moved up the ranks as it gets more burn in. 4. Sorceress - Lot of diversity and LOTS of great songs. Even if most aren't massive standout bangers, it has such a quantity of interesting tracks. 3. My Arms, Your Hearse - Heavy, melodic as hell, and still has some of the early days rawness to it, but polished up a lot from the 2 previous. 2. Still Life - 10/10 masterpiece, the story/concept, and MY GAWD the riffs! 1. Blackwater Park - 10.1/10 masterpiece, can listen over and over and over.

[@charlierichards5865]

There is no such thing as an unhealthy amount of Opeth.

[@oregonwoodelf]

@@charlierichards5865 Glad you understand 🤘😁

[@beeveli]

1. Ghost Reveries 2. Blackwater Park 3. Deliverance 4. Damnation 5. Watershed 6. In Cauda Venenum 7. My Arms Your Hearse 8. Still Life 9. Pale Communion 10. Heritage 11. Morningrise 12. Orchid 13. Sorceress

[@u11113901]

I know it is fun to rate the albums, but to me each album represent a feeling. Some days I listen to Orchid, other days I go for Heritage and so on. If I have not listen to a specific album in a long time, I usually feel I need to. I think this is so great with Opeth, they have a song/album for every mood you are in.

[@Taunic]

Yeah boi!! Heritage gets some love, super underrated album.

[@FrostyFeet2018]

Great video man. Your explanations were nice to hear!

[@progperljungman8218]

Overall a really good ranking. Agree on many points.

[@chilly2go]

Hey Joe. I'm also a new fan of Opeth because when I first heard them 20 years ago I couldn't stand harsh vocals but that changed completely early last year so I gave them another chance and have been blown away for the most part. BUT I have been saving a few albums including a couple near the top of your list so I'm really excited since I now am pretty convinced that they will be brilliant. Opeth is so special that I'm really taking my time working my way through their discography. Interesting, my favorite so far is also their newest album for many of the reasons you indicate. But even my least favorite album of theirs is still a damn good one so it's like choosing my favorite wine or bourbon from a bunch of excellent options. One last tidbit, Blackwater Park is currently just barely in the top 3 despite having a couple of my favorite songs so I understand your ranking considering I haven't heard a couple albums that I expect I may rank quite highly. However anyone ranks the albums, what a killer band with so much great material to enjoy.

[@charlierichards5865]

Interesting list, nice to see stuff like Heritage higher. My order would be(I love all of them) 1. Ghost Reveries 2. Watershed 3. Sorceress 4. Damnation 5. Blackwater Park 6. Still Life 7. In Cauda Venenum 8. Deliverance 9. Pale Communion 10. Morningrise 11. My Arms Your Hearse 12. Heritage 13. Orchid

[@6lillium]

On a scale of 1 - 10 , this whole discography is 7 - 10 for me with the exception of Morning Rise and Orchid . For me they're 6's. Some great songs, but the 2 I listen to the least. My ranking starting with 1: 1) Ghost Reveries 2) Deliverence 3) Damnation 4) Pale Communion 5) In Cauda Venenum 6) Blackwater Park 7) Still Life 8) Watershed 9) Heritage 10) Sorceress 11) MAYH 12) Morning Rise 13) Orchid

[@generalknowledge9899]

Howwwww Morningrise is a masterpiece

[@Zuracooking]

glad to see ICV at #1. honestly feels like one of their most mature sounding records. Has amazing dark haunting melodies.

[@fourseasons4105]

1. Blackwater park (a top 5 album of all time for me) 2. Ghost reveries 3. Still life 4. Watershed 5. Deliverance 6. My arms, your hearse 7. Pale communion 8. In cauda venenum 9. Damnation 10. Orchid 11. Morningrise 12. Sorceress 13. Heritage

[@anumili08]

Nice! My list would be 13. Orchid 12. Sorceress 11. Heritage 10. Morningrise 9. Deliverance 8. Pale Communion 7 My Arms Your Hearse 6. Still Life 5. In cauda Venenum 4. Watershed 3. Damnation 2. Ghost Reveries 1. Blackwater Park If I do this again in a week, it might change but I think I am positive about my top 3.

[@jod_hates_it_here6895]

IN CAUDA VENENUM NUMBER ONE LET’S FUCKING GOOOOOOOOO

[@franciscocolin2008]

1. Still Life 2. Blackwater Park 3. Ghost Reveries 4. My Arms Your Hearse 5. Watershed 6. Damnation 7. De-li-ver-rance 8. The rest of their albums Tied

[@jod_hates_it_here6895]

My list from worst to best. Not actually too off from your list! 13- Orchid 12- Heritage 11- Morning Rise 10- My Arms, Your Hearse 9- Sorceress 8- Still Life 7- Pale Communion 6- Deliverance 5- Blackwater Park 4- Damnation 3- Ghost Reveries 2- In Cauda Venenum 1- Watershed

[@Elis_Nordgall]

Why does everyone put morningrise so far down on the lists? It’s my favourite album from them

[@kimeklund8880]

I also love Morningrise... mayby because This was the first album i heard by opeth... and to bid You farewell is my favourite opeth song

[@Elis_Nordgall]

@@kimeklund8880 Yeah, all of my top 3 songs are on it, Black Rose Immortal, The Night And The Silent water, To bid You Farewell Den är bara så jävla bra!

[@TheLivirus]

I think it's less interesting rhythmically, dynamically and structurally than their later works. I also think the overall quality of the recording and mix is better on the later albums. But I know there are many who likes it, so I may be missing something, or its just a matter of taste.

[@u11113901]

I think the recording is the problem, even Michael have said he do not like the "sound" of the album. Remember it is an old album, imagine if they could have recorded it today...

[@xyhmo]

Even mikael rank it pretty low. That one and deliverance seem to be the albums he puts down the most. And he once said that every album got better up until (and including) BP, except Morningrise which is worse than the debut.

[@BlackSailPass_GuitarCovers]

1. Morningrise 2. Ghost Reveries 3. Still Life 4. Orchid 5. MAYH 6. Blackwater Park 7. Deliverance 8. Damnation 9. Watershed 10. Pale Communion 11. In Cauda Venenum 12. Sorceress 13. Heritage

[@julianregulusfuego7453]

Discography review of 2 of my all time favorite bands! I enjoyed watching this, got triggered here a couple of times, but had fun!

[@rizkyjelang4737]

You can't go wrong with Opeth, all great, it depends on your own type of music. This is my list 🍻 1. Still Life 2. Morningrise 3. Blackwater Park 4. Ghost Reveries 5. My Arms, Your Hearse 6. Watershed 7. Damnation 8. Orchid 9. Deliverance 10. Heritage 11. In Cauda Venenum 12. Pale Communion 13. Sorceress

[@mattnewman1274]

Weird and interesting list. Mine would be 1. Blackwater park 2. Ghost Reveries 3. Still life 4. Watershed 5. In Cauda Venenum 6. Deliverance 7. Orchid 8. My arms your hearse 9. Morningrise 10. Damnation 11. Pale communion 12. Heritage 13. Sorceress

[@paravarium]

Not only the history, but also, many opeth fans hate everything post Watershed lol. Man I do love me some Damnation, I have it very high too. I'm so excited for the Caligula's Horse live stream June 20. Hope you get back to the boys some time, they're up in the elites in my book and I always love your input.

[@medicineballers2396]

I’ve never hated that era, but I can’t get into it.

[@sonicallydisruptive]

I have heard that. Not sure why?

[@davidwilliams3244]

I find it interesting how low people rank Orchid, it's an incredible album albeit having it's age shown from a quality and mixing standpoint. Twilight is my Robe is one of Opeth's best songs in my eyes, if there was a remastered edition of it I think many people's tune would change.

[@march80079]

Joe, you owe me a new laptop! :) Jokes apart, I totally loved Watershed and I agree with you on the high position of that one. However, Blackwater Park will always be in the first position for me. It has been a milestone for the extreme metal genre.

[@sonicallydisruptive]

Sorry, I'm sure I am wrong with that pick.

[@Gamont]

I can't judge any opeth list, I can barely make one, and here it is. First I have to say I like all the records that's why this is so hard: 13 Heritage 12 Deliverance 11 Sorceress 10 Orchid 9 Watershed 8 My Arms Your Hearse... 7 Morningrise 6 Damnation 5 In Cauda Venenum 4 Pale Communion 3 Still Life 2 Ghost Reveries 1 Blackwater Park

[@scyphe]

Joe, did you check out the bonus tracks on Sorceress? The song "Spring MCMLXXIV" (the year Mikael was born) is an amazing song being more of a 70'ies psychedelic rock song, a song I absolutely love. In case you haven't checked it out yet you could do a reaction to it. :)

[@rizkyjelang4737]

my fav song on the album!

[@jpaulcrosby]

I love this video. Stringent orthodoxy often creates groupthink in fan bases about what the best and worst albums are. People often forget that it's an incredibly subjective thing. I like that Ghost reveries is as high as it is! The Grand Conjuration is my favorite opeth song.

[@JohnnyRecently]

Different folks Opeth rankings vary... a lot. My ranking is pretty close to yours. I love the new one! Which version of the new one do you like more?

[@jpaulcrosby]

Mine is as follows, though it has changed a lot over the years: 1. Ghost Reveries 2. Blackwater Park 3. Watershed 4. Deliverance 5. In Cauda Venenum 6. Morningrise 7. Heritage 8. Still Life 9. My arms, your hearse 10. Sorceress 11. Pale Communion 12. Orchid

[@justinrisen1929]

Very different ranking than I think I've ever seen or ever considered. The fact that people's lists are so different is proof that Opeth has never made a bad record or at least that's my opinion. For me Opeth has a song for every mood and moment in my life much like Tool, Deftones, Black Sabbath, Alice in Chains etc.... Which is the prerequisite for being in my top 5 list of all time. 13. Heritage. Great record but pulls at me the least. 12. In Cauda Venenum. Same deal here also an amazing record. 11. Pale Communion 10. Watershed 9. Still Life. 8. Sorceress 7. Orchid 6.Blackwater Park. 5.Deliverance. 4.Damnation. 3. Morningrise 2. Ghost Reveries 1. My Arms Your Hearse. Pointless list though as this changes all the time haha expect maybe MAYH one of my fav records of all time from any band not just Opeth.

[@3601-c3k]

I don’t think it’s necessary to make the whole rank when every album is so unique. I’d go just with top 5, so 1. My Arms, Your Hearse 2. Still Life 3. Deliverance 4. In Cauda Venenum 5. Orchid For me MAYH has the best atmosphere. It’s the production, the story, the flow of the album - it’s all beautiful. Acoustic sections are mesmerising in this album. Though I consider MAYH as my favourite, I think Still Life is just perfect. I think Mikael had the most inspiration at that time. Deliverance is kinda weird choice. I don’t like the title song and By The Pain I See In Others, but there’s something really special about the album. I think Damnation&Deliverance are more of Mikael’s mental state at that time than the actual music he wanted to write. ICV actually grew on the so much. I don’t really like the production and atmosphere, but the songwriting is amazing. Dignity and All Things Will Pass are pure masterpieces. Orchid really stands out of the rest of the albums. Obviously, not the best songwriting, but the album is atmospheric as hell. It’s black metalish and folkish and that’s beautiful. The acoustic parts are so medieval. It’s also very special for me since it was the first Opeth’s album I heard. I already listened to some death/black metal bands, but I actually got scared by that Mikael’s scream at 0:12 in The Twilight Is My Robe. I still think that’s the most wild and inhuman-sounding scream Mikael have ever done. I’d say I love other albums equally, it depends on the mood. Except, maybe, I like Heritage the least, but it has some masterpieces as well.

[@PollitoBoyJr]

I disagree with some choices but In Cauda Venenum is HANDS DOWN the best album to me. SOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!

[@jonnnnnnnnnnnny2]

Me again. I just wanted to chime in again because I found myself watching another Opeth list (very entertaining one), and then I remember THIS list. Check out "Wheel of Prog - Opeth Albums Tier with Mike Portnoy" - yes, Mike Portnoy is actually taking part of the ranking of the Opeth albums(!). Why not compare that list with Joe's?

[@Chris-qo4rt]

Top 3: MAYH > Morningrise > Orchid. Early Opeth rules!

[@civilizedagedaily1438]

When will you react to Fortitude man? Can't wait for your thoughts on that album

[@TheFbiFilesRepeat]

Wish it was heavier. Not a fan

[@civilizedagedaily1438]

@@TheFbiFilesRepeat I agree, it's not as good as the previous albums, but I still like it. Born for one thing, Sphinx, Into the storm, and Grind are great in my opinion

[@sonicallydisruptive]

I did a reaction to all of the singles, and they were blocked. As far as the album. I love it. My favorite by them. Great blend of light and shade. Favorite songs? Grind, Into the Storm, Hold On, Sphinx. And the rest of them.

[@civilizedagedaily1438]

@@sonicallydisruptive Damn, it really bugs me that they were taken down. Glad to hear you enjoyed the album though!

[@Hammarby1000]

Thanks for sharing, my only remark is your headline, “worst” is not compatible in an Opeth context

[@xyhmo]

Decent enough list, with a couple of big disagreements. We both got into the band late. Definitely agree on the two first being the worst, and I would put GR at #1, BP at #2 (and Bleak possibly being their best song), and then it gets really hard, but I sometimes put ICV at #3. And I seem to like PC more than you do.

[@filipdzero8739]

You have some cohones, I'll give you that, to put Heritage above any of their classics, especially BWP. I respect your opinion, tho, at least you have a unique and bold list.

[@diegoquilodran4150]

I love your list, it is similar to mine, not identical but almost the same. Do you like Frost*? they released a new album, maybe you can listen Day and age

[@pyros683]

I totally agree! In cauda venenum is the best opeth album!

[@Meshuggapeth]

Very fair and evenhanded! IMO 1 Ghost Reveries 2 In Cauda Venenum 3 Pale Communion 4 Blackwater Park 5 My Arms, Your Hearse 6 Watershed 7 Still Life 8 Heritage 9 Damnation 10 Sorceress 11 Deliverance 12 Morningrise 13 Orchid

[@derekd.4156]

I’ve just been getting into their first couple of albums and I’m loving orchid. I think my least favorite are deliverance, heritage, en cauda, but I haven’t listened to those as much as the others

[@kiondagoat]

13. Orchid (5/10) i just dont come back to any of the songs on here, mainly dude to production quality. 12. Heritage (5.5/10) After like 20 minutes of the album, i feel like it as nothing left to say. 11. Sorceress (6/10) The wilde flowers is fun, same as the title track, the rest of it isnt very memorable. 10. Morningrise (6.5/10) To bid you farewell is a very good track, but i feel like the rest of the songs are too long and disconnected. also not very good production quality. 9. Deliverance (7/10) The title track is so unbelievable, one of opeth's best songs. The rest of the album is good, but some of the songs are a little too long for me. 8. My Arms, Your Hearse (7.5/10) Demon Of The Fall is a fantastic track, same as omen corner and When. The rest of the songs i think i just need to listen to more. 7. Pale Communion (7.75/10) The Album is a great listen as a whole, but, there isnt a standout track or any song too extraordinary. Just a bunch of great tracks that flow well with each other. 6. Watershed (8/10) Coil, Burden, and Lotus Eater are some of my favorite opeth songs. The rest of the songs on this album are unfortunately too heavy for me to handle. 5. In Cauda Venunum (8.5/10) I know this is controversial, but this album is freaking fantastic. The only issue is that you kinda HAVE to listen to it as a whole for it to work. 4. Damnation (9/10) This album is fantastic, ONLY downside for me is that there is two ending songs in a way. If they just moved Weakness over to deliverance, this would be even better. 3. Still Life (9.5/10) Near Perfection. If they had better production, this would be a 10/10. 2. Ghost Reveries (10/10) perfect. It's very entertaining and probably the most unique sound in any sort of music I've ever heard. Depending on the day, this could be my number 1. 1. Blackwater Park (10/10) not much to say, if you have listened to it, you most likely know why its up here. Pure perfection.

[@Goldie1977]

Love the t shirt.

[@daviddacosta1738]

I just can't rank them. They all just great....i love them all but.... if i choose a top 3 it would be: 3 Ghosts Reveries 2 Blackwater Park 1 Still Life Cheers.

[@riccardogiulietti6893]

Blackwater Park Ghost reveries Watershed Still Life Deliverence Damnation Morningrise My arms your hearse Orchid Heritage Pale communion To be honest, the ones after still life are more or less on the same line

[@real-horse]

Blackwater park is like my fourth favorite, but I think it is pretty overrated. Great album, but it gets raved about way more than still life, which is fairly similar and did it first. Not that blackwater park didn't do anything new with it, but I just find it weird that it is talked about so much more than still life. Heritage is the opposite, and it is overhated. I feel that it is only the common least favorite since it was the first out of the newpeth style. Solid album. oh and I think morningrise is a great album, I see it as like a caricature of the band almost. The production makes the album feel black and white just like the cover, and the fact that it is 5 really long songs make it feel exaggerated like that. Is a great album if you want that specific mood but I feel that it is more of a niche feeling to want to listen to it, so a lower half ranking makes sense At the end of the day, I like all 13

[@kimeklund8880]

🤘Have u heard Orbit Culture or Imminence ?

[@sonicallydisruptive]

Orbit Culture yes, Imminence, no. I'll have to check them out.

[@awol1209]

Am i crazy or did he miss pale communion lol. Still Life will always be #1 for me Bwp Damnation In cauda Ghost reveries Watershed Pale communion Mayh Deliverance Heritage Morningrise Orchid Sorceress

[@sonicallydisruptive]

Think it was in there?

[@BlackSailPass_GuitarCovers]

1:20 Boo this man!

[@jasonallen5318]

With Opeth, there's no wrong way to rank their albums, kind of similar to ranking Pink Floyd in a way. I do find that most people don't like their first 2 albums as much, but I actually really love Morningrise. I'm not as big on their newer albums as much, but they also deserve more time to grow on me. I'm not as familiar with In Cauda Venenum, so that one is hard to factor in.

[@BleaK1211]

I would put Heritage last tbh. In my opinion it's the most boring Opeth album.

[@cpfantastic5576]

BS list in every way possible...

[@sonicallydisruptive]

Stupid when people say that.

[@EggersEggers-pd6te]

Terrible ranking.