OPETH - The Last Will and Testament - Album Review!

[@mombreamusic]

Spot on as always. Really enjoy your reviews

[@RhymeSignatures]

Thank you! Appreciate your continued support ❤️❤️

[@Arrow2theACL]

Spot on as always Ian. Best reviewer on YT as far as hearing the music through my own ears. I am left wanting more time to develop the music a bit. I am betting Mikael thought that would affect the storytelling most likely.

[@hichaelhyers]

Love the way you put together words man, very easy on the ears. Plus, great thorough analysis of the album! I need to listen to it a little bit more. I enjoy it very much, while still feeling a tiny bit let down by the lack of the old Opeth sensibilities and his newer, more theatrical singing, but I guess I just need to appreciate it for what it is and tune out the comparisons.

[@_Erendis]

You put into words exactly how I feel about this album, thank you good sir!

[@RhymeSignatures]

Thank you! I do try with my words, occasionally I succeed 🤣

[@TheBlackcredo]

What I love about bands like them is that they do what they want.

[@RhymeSignatures]

Absolutely agreed, I'd rather a band do what they love the most, rather than bow to peer pressure!

[@vince8081]

Opeth is one of my fav band since 15 years now. I just listen to the album one time, and well i don't really know what to think about it. Growls return is cool but it lacks of melodies and acoustic parts, it's really chaotic and lacks the epic. I prefer the two lasts songs of the album. Tracks are different in compostion and structures but i feel listening a 45 minutes track with no such variations, with really strong oppression without breathing. I will listen a few more times but for now i must say that i'm a liitle bit disapointed. There's nothing i dislike but nothing i really love too. That said, i keep thinking it's an interesting and strange move from them. (sorry for my english)

[@RhymeSignatures]

Your English was perfect! And I totally get if this album doesn't hit for people, but maybe it's a grower and needs a few months to settle for you :)

[@edguyrocks5865]

^^^this. I like S5 and Story Never Told best. I’m gonna keep listening. I do think the drumming is good.

[@ulfingvar1]

It is a masterpiece, on every level. I expected a good album, but not THIS good. This ranks among my favourite 25 albums of all time, period. Not a single weak track (some better than others, of course), the production is crystal clear, and the BALANCE between, well, everything, is perfect. The growling (never a favorite thing of mine, to be honest) sound delicious (like late period Jens Kidman, but more "melodic") and is juxtaposed with the clean singing with absolute precision. The music is sooo complex (without going overboard) that one can listen to it again and again and again, and still being surprised. Thanks, guys, this was a perfect way to end the year, musically.

[@Vor_Tex_Sun]

I have the silver version of the record and it has not left my deck. Ok, maybe for Camel yes, only for a bit ;) It is a masterpiece, and up there with BWP for me

[@richy_B]

Waited a while to watch your review in case there were any spoilers to the story (which there weren't, a true gent! Lol) But totally agree on all your thoughts! Tis weird that sometimes their albums seemed a little longer than was necessary whereas this time you feel it needed to be a bit longer but wasn't! Still, a fantastic piece of art this album & definitely a grower! 👌

[@RhymeSignatures]

A gentleman never ruins the story for someone else haha ;)

[@richy_B]

@RhymeSignatures haha *doffs hat* 😁

[@markblaauw4961]

I couldn't have put it better. Agree with absolutely everything you said.

[@OmarChouikha]

I totally agree with everything you said!

[@RhymeSignatures]

Thank you! It's always nerve-wracking putting out a review for a band like this 🤣

[@alexperry4691]

This album really delivered the goods. Definitely their best since Ghost Reveries!

[@MusicVersa]

I've only had a chance to listen to this album once, which I really enjoyed, but the one thing that has stuck with me and differentiated this album from the last 15 years or so of Opeth is "ambition". This feels like an ambitious work - like Mikael and co. are really trying to push themselves here, in a way they haven't on recent albums. That's not to say recent albums were lazy or lacked effort - I actually think trying to write shorter, more traditionally-structured songs can be a challenge in its own right, and "Sorceress" in particular is one of my favourite Opeth records, but this record feels like they approached it with the attitude of "lets do a big, meaningful, powerful album" rather than just trying to write some good songs and then recording them.

[@RhymeSignatures]

Excellently well-said!

[@HaakonOdinsson]

I’ve got the vinyl boxset, cd+Blu-ray and cd on order. It’s a bloody good album, well I like it anyway 🤘

[@darrenbooker8144]

Did you get the lyrical easter eggs? Scattered throughout.... and S4... Walt doing the lopez beat... what an album 👏

[@stevechallis282]

I haven't heard the album yet, but, reading some comments here about shortened and rushed writing makes me hope they have an extended version in the wings to be released at another date... it would be Awesome i think 🙂🍻

[@jeremysette3657]

Great review by a great reviewer! What a cool album. Yes, totally moved along too quickly at times...especially the more delicate moments...I wished they fleshed it out more, like Patterns in the Ivy style... But oh well! New drummer is bad ass! I was also drawn to his grooves and sweet fills. Guitar solos were freaking amazing, too. Favorite track was paragraph 4! Really cool concept album. Love the whole vibe of it.

[@Lyka-clock]

This doesn't feel like it's going after any other concept album as an inspiration. Part of it is this constant theme of uncomfortable odd melodies they sprinkle in. It forces you to question if what your hearing makes any sense. That's where it's hard to swallow when looked at in single pieces. It's really a straight run through record. If I play the Wall, I often skip to a few key tracks no problem. Hey you, Goodbye blue sky, Mother. Same thing with Queensrych Operation Mindcrime. I can easily go to Suite sister Mary, Spreading the disease or The needle lies. This is serious prog for people that like the puzzle solving and interpretation necessary to uncover the full scope of the artists intentions. It's very challenging!

[@RhymeSignatures]

Agreed! I love that it doesn't give you everything straight away, real progressive music like this is challenging and makes you work for the goods I can only see my appreciation for the album deepening over time ❤️

[@jamespeterson4275]

I mean the second half of 4 sounds HELLA like Watershed but thats the only chunk that REALLY evokes an older album tbh Also am I tripping or did 45&6 feel like a 20 min epic to anyone else. Like I listened to it and that shit felt like a larger work in 3 movements. That outro to 6 REALLY feels like a big climactic outro to all 3. That Symphony X esque solo duel GODDAMN

[@gmbtempe]

I like many, have Opeth as their fav band. Initially I hated growls so I loved their recent stuff. Now I love growls and their old stuff is the crème de la crème. I did not listen to singles, I dont do that for bands I like. I saw them live, they opened with Par 1...that baseline opening just sucks you in. I never thought the death growls were out of place, nor too few or too many, they fit. I think that MA has stated that was the goal. I cannot think back to too many concept albums where the story and they musical textures fit any better than this one. The musicianship of every member is fully on display. I am only 6 playthroughs in 24 hours and I agree, you need to have a few as there is so much subtlety to the songs. Layers upon Layers of prog genius. Where does this rank in the discography? For me its in the middle to upper middle. I think its in the class of Watershed in terms of quality, but not BP, GR or SL.

[@RhymeSignatures]

Agreed on the rankings! This is definitely my favourite in years, but the old era is untouchable for me

[@gmbtempe]

I will add somehow my local record store in Az had a German pressing...a nice find for my collection!

[@RhymeSignatures]

@gmbtempe oh fantastic!

[@lawrencefine5020]

HATED their last 4 albums. But this is a different animal. It's Old/NewishPeth I call it Haunted Art. Quite an accomplishment by Akerfeldt and Company. And kudos to the new drummer for reminding Mike why we (or I) loved Opeth in the first place. The Dark and the light, and the ugly and the beautiful. It's all here. And the last song (A Story Never Told) is one of the most melancholy yet beautiful songs Opeth ever performed. One complaint: wish the drum weren't so bone dry and wish the guitars were a smidge more heavy.. But it really does not matter since the record is near perfect. 4.85 out of 5 Well done Opeth.

[@sultanalkhader1630]

Feels like Theater Musical & I really Enjoyed it

[@RhymeSignatures]

I adooooore how over the top it feels at times ❤️ Broadway adaptation when??

[@lance98541]

I love the album, but it does feel short.

[@StephaneGallay]

I'm not a fan of Opeth (never got their death-metal phase, never got their 70s prog phase either), but I feel I will need to give this album a try.

[@RhymeSignatures]

It's absolutely worth a go! I feel it could bridge the gap between their styles :)

[@arnaudb.7669]

Oui, il est excellent. Conseillé!

[@YanniBG]

I just bought the silver vinyl version today. Fantastic album!!!

[@RhymeSignatures]

Same one I ordered!!

[@bryanwaller8681]

I really like this album. Ian Anderson's flute contributions are really good. And i only just noticed his spoken word. Paragraphs 4 through 7 are my favorites. (I, for some reason, can not type the symbol that the album uses) I felt those theatrics and that the first three tracks feel like a long build up. I will say the drumming is awesome. This felt sudden and i really don't prefer A Story Never Told. Though the good outweighs the bad. It could very well be second to Ubiquity's release this year.

[@RhymeSignatures]

Yeah, I think Ubiquity still wins out for this kind of music for me this year too, but this album still rocks!

[@vince8081]

Thanks for mentionning Ubiquity, i wasn't knowing this band and what i listen is really great, thanks a lot. It reminds me still life that is my fav opeth album.

[@bryanwaller8681]

@vince8081 yep. Ubiquity, with that album, is kinda lengthy per song. But it's worth it. I know their is a review a couple of months ago. I only listen to three songs off of it, but it's like a half hour of music.

[@groanhammer282]

It should be the key left to 1, no additional inputs should be required

[@matycee]

articulate take on the new album. The most accurate bit comes at 10:10... it's a great point and is something to consider regarding the last several albums. Opeth are writing way too many ideas into their songs, on average that the songs are rendered ineffectual, un-memorable or rather Amemorable. That they are so ropy and tangled, one has little to latch on to. It's a proper shame. I find myself rolling my eyes as I listen to this new album... and only occasionally nodding my head to a groove. A shame for this "rampant fan".

[@bryanmack5410]

It does feel like it was “designed” with a lot of ADD, hurried through the interesting moments. But even saying that reminds me of the time I gave a bum $5 and he yelled at me that it wasn’t $10. I’m happy with anything they want to give us, even if they phone it in, which they clearly did not. Good for them and us.

[@RhymeSignatures]

Oh don't get me wrong, the positives FAR outweigh my minor criticisms, but I have to look at both sides of the coin if I wanna consider myself a "real" critic lmao

[@bryanmack5410]

@ oh of course. I have zero interest in listening to someone gush about something I love, UNLESS it’s their first time. That’s always cool. I like to find little insights in subjective reviews - I think you said something like “it’s pretentious in a good way,” and that helped me resolve that thought in my head: “this is totally pretentious BUT I totally dig it…maybe that’s ok!”

[@TKRepository]

I've listened to it several times through now. Of their overall catalog, it's not a top 5. Of everything post-Watershed, it's got 2nd behind Pale Communion. I liked it more than Watershed at least, but I really miss the old style, where Mikael wasn't the only one steering the ship and Opeth didn't constantly sound like they were trying to resurrect the 70's.

[@TheSPACEDIEVEST1]

I do enjoy it but yes it feels rushed. I wish the songs were longer. I feel that they are commercial now because people don’t have patience for 10+ songs. I think I prefer Mario’s and Axel’s drumming style more than this new drummer. I do like this album more than the past four but Watershed was perfect and I was hoping they were gonna make an album like that.

[@RhymeSignatures]

As much as I would enjoy a new Watershed, I think that it's never gonna happen :( If you want something Old-peth in style, definitely check out the debut album by Ubiquity!

[@bryanmack5410]

What’s up with that tree, bro? Kinda got that Charlie Brown vibe thing going on…

[@RhymeSignatures]

I mean, Christmas is just around the corner 😎🎄😎🎄

[@Christopher-zj5py]

Top 3 album of the year for me alongside Blood Incantation' Absolute Elsewhere and Alcest's Les Chants de l’Aurore! ❤️

[@RhymeSignatures]

Oh I will definitely be talking more about Blood Incantation in my AOTY video in about a month... 👀

[@markmatthew9022]

I’am still trying to like this album Watershed had a healthy mix of growls and melodic singing Nothing is really sticking … for now at least

[@VTM_isawesome]

Feels like they tried to create a Operation Mindcrime. But ended up writing Operation Mindcrime 2.

[@RhymeSignatures]

I disagree entirely, but I'll defend the right to your opinion, to the death ❤️

[@robmlisanti]

😂😂 it’s a concept album don’t get used to the growls

[@RhymeSignatures]

Oh I know haha, but I'm gonna enjoy them for now at least ;)

[@terrywalker8446]

Hmmm!! Where do I start? Although it's a concept album it's not exactly a storyline that grabs me. Literally A Story Never Told that I wish had remained untold 👎🏻 I was seriously underwhelmed by both of the prerelease tracks, but after several listens they suddenly clicked. Perhaps the rest of the album will too, because after several listens I feel it's something of a 'fleeting moments' album. Several bars of something catchy or interesting then on to several bars of something less interesting etc etc. I wish they would play around with sections and develop them instead of switching to something different every few seconds. It's almost schizophrenic. I'm also not a fan of the way Paragraph 7 ends with a fade out as does the final track. Fade outs are such a lazy uninspiring way to end a song. And the final song is just dull from start to finish, leaving the album to end with a whimper rather than a bang. It doesn't inspire me to hit play and listen to the album again. Despite all this negativity there's enough 'good bits' on the album to tempt me to stick with it and give it more listens in the hope that it all suddenly clicks into place. But that's probably because it's Opeth and they've released some of my favourite albums of the last 30 years. If any other band had released this album I'd probably have given up on it already😢

[@RhymeSignatures]

I definitely agree with you on the fade outs! I honestly hate when bands do that, just end the song, dangit!

[@stuartraybould2574]

Opeth goes backwards for the first time, have they run out of ideas? It sounds like Ghost Reveries and Watershed without the longer tracks. Opeth have done all this before, it's not new, that's my first impression. It's the first Opeth album I've not brought on release and having had a few listens now, I'm in no rush to get it. It's good, undoubtedly I will buy it at some point but I'm not overly impressed and in no rush. My worry is, for the first time, it sounds like they are running out of new ideas. It happens to most bands and I think it's now happening to Opeth. What a shame, not much new here. We have Ghost Reveries and Watershed, now this one, do we need another after this, not really, that's just me though. I really hope I'm wrong but this might be the last Opeth album I buy. After such a long wait, it's very disappointing.

[@ingopscheidt9385]

The last album disappointed me because it was too jazzy and nervous for my taste. And what I'm hearing now... Well... basically the same thing. It's a shame because it has really good passages, but the slightest touch of jazz just makes me want to 🤮 That's it for me with Opeth! I prefer to listen to In Mourning, Plateau Sigma etc...

[@RhymeSignatures]

I would direct you towards The Ascendant Travels Among the Stars by Ubiquity, I think that may be more to your liking! 🤟🤟

[@ingopscheidt9385]

​@@RhymeSignatures Ich danke dir😉👍

[@ingopscheidt9385]

Ich habe mir Ubiquity jetzt mal angehört und bin total begeistert 😍 So in etwa hatte ich mir die neue Opeth vorgestellt. Ich mag die Symbiose von Gefühl und Gewalt.......das Wechselspiel der Gefühle...... Vielen herzlichen Dank und liebe Grüße aus Germany 🤗

[@RhymeSignatures]

@@ingopscheidt9385 Yes!! It was the most "Old-peth" album I've heard since Ghost Reveries, I absolutely LOVE it

[@dimmyjeams7489]

My favorite Opeth moments are when they're at their jazziest lol, different strokes for different folks I guess

[@bradharris1459]

Havent listened to the full album yet, but if it grows on me like Still Life i will be VERY pleased. Either way, its great to have some growls back...hopefully it is a bit heavy too.

[@RhymeSignatures]

It's definitely a grower, each time I listen I get a little bit more out of it ❤️

[@edguyrocks5865]

It’s no Still Life.