Opeth - The Last Will and Testament (first time album reaction)

[@kirawasareactor]

i got it dooone! woooo! hope ya'll enjoy listening to this one with me :) (spoiler - track 3 onwards i get into it, so bear with me for the first 15 mins lol) patreon (polls, bonus content, early access is going to be my focus now hehe): patreon.com/kirawasareactor

[@rabarebra]

"I got it done" That's what he said. You know, it is not always about just getting it done.

[@henrikljungdahl2432]

But how can you even think about getting a fair conclusion of an album you only listened to once?!?! I've listened to the album for about 35 times and even now it has not reached it's peak yet! God damn, it's such a fine record!... (And yes, my favorite album of the Gods is Still Life, and i don't know how many times i had to listen to it to understand how magnificent that album is! 🖤🙏🖤

[@LokiTricksterG]

@@henrikljungdahl2432 It's a first-time reaction, not a review.

[@ord1nary1]

"That is so weird for Opeth". Well that is how you feel with each new album. Then suddenly you can't stop listening to it and you can visualize the masterpiece they created. With time every Opeth album is a 10/10.

[@austinsparklebarf7048]

Mike's never had issues with his vocals. He just wanted to do something different. Seeing him perform live you'll notice there's no strain whatsoever when he does his growls.

[@kirawasareactor]

ya i got told the wrong thing, classsic

[@Eirath]

Yeah he's actually stated that the clean vocals sometimes puts more strain on him than the growls

[@kirawasadiver]

@@EirathLOL that’s funny. Anyways I cut that part from the video lol

[@Phantom-kc9ly]

The Roundhouse Tapes clearly show he was struggling at the time tho.

[@KORKEL-]

@@Phantom-kc9ly By far my favorite live harsh vocals from Mikael is from the roundhouse tapes album haha. How was he struggling do you mean?

[@chagatainouveau]

As a complete and utter Opeth fanboy, one thing where I think many Opeth fans do a disservice to themselves (and to the band) is constantly comparing them to their previous works. It takes away from appreciating what they're doing. It's not their fault that they set the standard so damn high early on. I also feel like they've alienated some of their fanbase by further leaning into the prog rock/jazz elements in their music later on. I love prog rock and jazz, so I didn't mind the change, and I always support artists trying to do something else than phone it in for fan service. I prefer their older stuff, but their newer stuff has produced lots of gems that would be high points for many other good bands. This new one is no exception to that.

[@FellishBeast]

Opeth transitioning into prog rock changed my own taste. I actually prefer Newpeth now after being initially disappointed by their shift away from heaviness. They more than made up for it in technical prowess and song structure.

[@yalu2]

Yup. Kira pretty much explicitly stated in this video that Opeth already set a standard for her.

[@Bragituba]

Couldn’t have put it better myself! This band has been around for over three decades, and if a prog band doesn’t change or evolve over that amount of time, then they have missed the entire point of being a prog band. 😂

[@Bragituba]

Couldn’t have put it better myself! This band has been around for over three decades, and if a prog band doesn’t change or evolve over that amount of time, then they have missed the entire point of being a prog band. 😂

[@bryanmack5410]

Yeah, I was just imagining my boss comparing my work to what I was doing in 2003. Personally I love watching my favorite bands age. And when they try to be something they're not (we're getting back to our ROOTS!), it's always bad.

[@reijonator]

Oh, Watershed is gonna knock your socks off. Can't wait.

[@GytisStankevičius-y8o]

That was the first album that really got me into Opeth. I think she will love it.

[@ogulcanyolcu8714]

what is exactly people are dying about Watershed I'll never understand. Not Still Life, not Blackwater Park, not Ghost Reveries, not Deliverance but Watershed. Out of aaaalll these greatness, people love Watershed more. It's weird.

[@goktugergen7356]

@@ogulcanyolcu8714abi watershed bence de gerçekten ayrı bir dünya saydığın tüm albümlere ölürüm fakat benim için de mayh ve watershedin yeri ayrıdır mesela

[@markblaauw4961]

​@ogulcanyolcu8714 Nope that's something that's called different taste. For me all Opeth is great. I'm utterly happy with the new album as it combines the best of both worlds.

[@reijonator]

@@ogulcanyolcu8714 Watershed is probably my least favourite of those you listed. But she said she is gonna do Watershed next and it is still a great album with some really great tunes and I'm looking forward to that.

[@scyphe]

The flute player is Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull. It can be a bit difficult to get into the newest stuff without having followed the path up until this point. Between In Cauda Venenum and The Last Will and Testament Mikael worked on the soundtrack to a Netflix show called "Clark", an experience that definitely had an impact on his writing for this album as far as giving more focus to the music promoting the storytelling in a coherent and meaningful way.

[@Progger11]

Anderson also did the spoken word parts throughout the album, if I'm not mistaken. Which is why they're so good and theatrical in their delivery.

[@entertolearn5000]

This album is speechless... Opeth brings another level to metal music

[@lordkiller977]

That´s right, my lord.

[@stephenhaunch3468]

Love this album. 10 out of 10.

[@joewilson2929]

There is a LOT going on here. Im definitely into it. Gonna be a grower for sure. AWESOME album for Halloween time. XD

[@nicholaschupka4150]

This one goes to 11 if you ask me.

[@GrindfatherJones]

For those of us that have been around for decades of Opeth, this record is a perfect blend of the old and new. The prog rock style of the past 4 records has been honed in perfectly, and the heavier moments with harsh vocals mesh so well with that sound. I kinda feel like it's hard to appreciate this record without having gone on the real-time career journey like many of us have. I was a massive, diehard fan up until a few years ago, but this record has done a great job of drawing me back in. It's fun seeing people discover the music I love so much.

[@machoburgerking]

I respectfully disagree. I'm an older guy who's listened to Opeth for a long time. The old stuff is better, in my opinion. This is a good album, don't get me wrong. But I would suggest an album like Ghost Reveries does a superior job of blending Opeth's talents to perfection.

[@GrindfatherJones]

@ I don't know if you read what I wrote at all. Never said this was their best record or their best sound, just that it blended the post-Watershed sound with the classic Opeth sound really well.

[@machoburgerking]

@@GrindfatherJones I read very clearly what you said. "the prog rock style of the past 4 records has been honed in perfectly". Personally, I'm not a fan of their prog rock style, although I appreciate the quality of the music. I never suggested that you said this was their best album. You did suggest that the newer music is in some way comparable to the old, and I just see a huge difference in the emotive power of the old music. I respect Opeth's choices in more recent years, and they still make objectively good music. It is just not in the same ballpark as their older work.

[@DanteSonOfDeath]

​​@@machoburgerking i respectfully agree with you, this album is not even close to older albums but it is good and solid and i saw some new vibes in §6 and 7 and i even liked "the story never told", also i think 4 and 5 were also good. In total it is still a solid album even tho i wasnt excited that much before listening the album as Mikael himself told us, Because i think opeth is the band that has 99% of albums perfect. They already have done so much during their career thats why i didnt expect something very exciting but i really enjoyed and felt some different vibes🤘🏻

[@bobby_c07]

I don't hear their "old sound" on this record at all. Maybe if "Ghost Reveries" is what you consider their old sound.

[@KMTheGoat]

This was their most technical album ever, drums and vocals were masterpiece

[@nicholaschupka4150]

Yes. The drumming is insane, but of all the things that blew me away upon first listen, the vocal arrangements were the tops.

[@impulse4079]

I wouldn’t say most technical on guitar, but everything else is imo.

[@wojti1721]

I love how after listening to 3 albums she became a typical opeth fan

[@CORS1NHACROMADO-ix5yh]

i loved this new album and In Cauda Venenum (Swedish) is on my top 3 Opeth albums. Allting Tar Slut is a misunderstood masterpiece!!

[@crownedfool115]

Yep, I think she should check out Pale Comunion or ICV to get a better feel for the prog rock side of Opeth. Going from Still life to this without hearing the rest of the albums must be insane hahhaha

[@wojti1721]

@@CORS1NHACROMADO-ix5yh i think they needlessly throw the album concept into its sonic side. things like "HEYYY" or quoting a paragraph don't add to the atmosphere at all, and actually interfere with connecting with the music

[@CORS1NHACROMADO-ix5yh]

​​@@wojti1721i really liked the reading parts!!!

[@vesuvius115]

So fun fact, the reason his cleans sound different as he had been working on them a lot more during their prog rock era from 2011-2019. So his cleans have gotten even better essentially due to all the extra practice. This album is the first death metally styled album in 15 years about since Watershed in 2008. Ever since he all sang clean in Heritage, Pale Communion, Sourceress, and In Cauda Venenum, which the last album before this new one was in 2019. However its clear that the prog rock style leaked into this as this is probably the most proggy mixed with death metal, daringly even more so than watershed.

[@michaeldemertzi5973]

Personally I reckon this one vs Watershed has way more of that 70s proggy tambre and sections and vibe, while Watershed is super proggy too it still emotionally tries to achieve that melancholic mood and atmosphericness. This feels much more storytelly to me, like a play

[@vesuvius115]

@@michaeldemertzi5973 Fair enough fair enough, I can see that for sure. This new albums very story telly, prolly even more so then their last two concept albums, even though I still dont think it tops still life musically LOL. Still Life for me will always be the peak Opeth concept album.

[@6070505]

Going from still life to this is like watching season 1 and then 8. Opeths sound changed gradually in a chronilogical way, and need to be experinced that way to fully understand and appriciate, I would cotninuw off with Deliverance, ghost, etc Its a long journey but worth it

[@Altstadtmedia]

This album is growing quickly on me! But from watching your opeth reactions; Ghost Reveries will most likely be YOUR peak Opeth, I know for sure it is for me! It has all the gloom, the darkness and the most beautiful moments they have ever composed.

[@francescodedominicis5559]

I totally agree

[@Helvetseld]

Yup. GR next

[@AntonNidhoggr]

Yes, it's like either GR or Watershed for me. But tbh it's hard to pick the best Opeth album :-D

[@hamishuldrich2479]

+1 for Ghost Reveries. Perfect for this channel!

[@petergabriel1606]

To me, The Last Will and Testament along with Ghost Reveries, are both masterpieces. And TLWAT might kick GR off the throne. It is absolutely brilliant, and gets better with each listen.

[@nocturne9257]

I see lots of people suggesting Watershed, but no one suggesting Ghost Reveries? It's easily one of their best albums

[@schpleeb]

*Amen*

[@6070505]

Everything is worth checking out

[@MoSweiti666]

Ghost Reveries is my favorite of theirs tbh.

[@rabarebra]

It's because she has talked about reacting to it. She has done a couple of songs from it.

[@nolancorneau5076]

Thats what im saying like the fuck?

[@markrichardson8378]

It takes more than one listen to really get into it,i personally love the way their music has evolved over the years.

[@scottchrismon4492]

The tension is gone from the last track because the tension in the story is gone.....genius once again. The tension is resolving which is why it makes sense.

[@rabarebra]

Yeah, people don't get the story telling. It is reflected in the musical bits. The music pass most people's faces. Not mature enough, apparently.

[@nicholaschupka4150]

​@@rabarebraMikael has never been able achieve a musical mirroring of his lyrics the way he did on this one. Mindblowing.

[@firstditcheffort666]

I wouldn't say the tension is gone... plot wise you find out the patriarch's bloodline ended with him, which comes in from a letter long after the events of his death.

[@AMushroomEnthusiast]

My experience with this album. 1st listen: I dunno. 2nd listen: hmm.. 3rd listen: wait a minute! 4th listen: okay this absolutely slaps! Fantastic album.

[@aphelionvoid4491]

Honestly i can get the unfamiliar feeling since you omitted years of progress and change between all the albums. Going chronogically is a must to get the sense and logic of their evolution of their sound. That way you could have appriciated the growless proggy moments much more, since that was all they did after Watershed. But yeah considering the avid Opeth listeners experience this album makes whole lot of sense. It sounds really amazing.

[@kirawasareactor]

Yeah totally aware I missed A LOT, but I am trying to play catch up I guess hahah as best I can:)

[@Phantom-kc9ly]

I mean, the first two albums, heritage, and sorceress can be skipped lol. That's still 10 albums lol

[@POSMaggott67]

​@@Phantom-kc9lyPale Communion was in between those two, but I can't possibly disagree more, Heritage is an absolute banger.

[@FellishBeast]

@@Phantom-kc9ly Why would you come on here and spread such harmful falsehoods?

[@rabarebra]

@@kirawasareactor You haven't even heard the whole Ghost Reveries. That is kind of mind blowing that you go by, day by day, without picking it up. Not to think of Watershed and My Hearse (start here first).

[@bassvibasics479]

Album of the Year for me. It was up against the albums by Judas Priest and Blood Incantation, and it came out on top. I listened to it again immediately after my first listen. It grows on you.

[@metalmanny666]

What did you think of the new Wintersun album?

[@harmony5305]

Blood Incantation new album was sick

[@ate9266]

So glad they put out this album. This is their most advanced musically...sure BWP/Still Life are more easily pleasant to the ears, but this one is the most ambitious-avantgarde of their catalogue

[@nicholaschupka4150]

Yup. Decided to step a bit past that prog line to dabble in some avant-garde. Not surprisingly, they nail it because it is Opeth.

[@imageword5576]

it sounds like trash though. I want it to sound good!

[@wyldeman7]

I can't get over how good the last track is. Insanely beautiful

[@firstditcheffort666]

Agreed! Even though it sounds different, it has a place within the album's concept. Plus, lyrically it is exposing the fact that the daughter isn't even his, so his bloodline actually ended when he died. Knowing that and hearing it, it hits harder.

[@duartelucas5746]

This album is a grower. At first listen liked it but was like "meh, no surprises". But you listen to it again, and with each listen you see how the writing is fan-fucking-tastic.

[@jorgengabrielsson6660]

Same here.. it’s fucking epic

[@pizzashorts887]

It is so much. I need more listen but right now it’s at a 9. I love it and the Prog gods are back

[@simonelombardi9412]

The Flute guy is simply the legendary Ian Anderson.... Opeth + Jethro Tull.. two legend in the same album

[@steelydan1]

I thought it sounded very Jethro Tull! Cool to see that it wasn't just Jethro Tull inspired :)

[@DeJayHank]

Listening to §5 (and a lot of the other tracks too to be fair) makes me realize how happy I am that I know and love so much from Heritage and Pale Communion, while also being in love with so much of the heavy stuff before. The track is so fully steeped in pure Opeth history that it's almost like the whole thing was a masterplan from Mikael from the very start over 25 years ago. This album really feels like a full crescendo of Opeth Essence.

[@mehdi_gh8797]

The only thing about this album for me is there isn't enough sorrow, otherwise it's pretty great. If you hear the last 4 albums you'll understand why this one's extra special

[@intredastingvideos9365]

fyi the flute is from the lead singer and flautist of Jethro Tull, Ian Anderson. He also does the spoken word of the father if I'm not wrong.

[@sandyferati6625]

It all gets better and better. Keep listening!

[@danielbarker7213]

A masterpiece album wow i play this album at least 5 time a day

[@sinisalomikko]

Åkerfeldt knows how to do growls in a safe way. He just got bored of doing deathmetal vocals. But now it’s back on the menu 😊

[@kirawasareactor]

yaaaaaaaaay

[@kirawasareactor]

i guess when i read a comment about that, i was misinformed wooohoo

[@Progger11]

​@kirawasareactor A fair number of disgruntled "fans" who resent that he stopped growling like to make up stuff and claim he "can't" do it anymore. He's been growling during live shows the whole time no problem. People are ridiculous.

[@theblurmetalhead]

this is the most special metal album ever..to be able to sit down and listen instead of as a single it amazinggggggggggggggg thank you too for the reaction! Metal never disappoints! \m/

[@NoPretending]

At about 30min you said no Opeth fan would enjoy this as enjoying old Opeth. Girl I beg to differ. Best of all their albums. TLWAT is their peak. A genuine masterpiece

[@machoburgerking]

Not only did Opeth move away from the use of growls for many years, but they have progressed away from metal as well. It is difficult to compare albums like Still Life or Blackwater Park to their newer output. Opeth is essentially a prog rock band nowadays, for better or worse. I prefer their earlier, heavier albums, but I understand they made a conscious effort to do something different. I listen to this album without expectation that it will meet the ferocity of an album like Deliverance, because they don't intend for it to. It is interesting that you gave Damnation a 10, which is much mellower than this album. I would love for you to react to Deliverance, which was the companion album to Damnation. Thanks.

[@ericlewis7698]

Give it multiple listens, the first listen I was not all about it The second listen I liked it. The third listen I was falling in love with it and every listen after, it has gotten better and better....

[@johnkrismanick9838]

Well done Opeth and Ian Anderson. I find this to be a very mature album, and I look forward to future releases.

[@Bragituba]

“Every single person would agree it’s objectively not as good.” I’m going to have to strongly disagree with you there. It’s different. For what they were trying to do here, they did a fabulous job. They were not trying to be old Opeth with this album. Sure, there are elements of old Opeth in here, but Still Life is nearly 26 years old. Expecting a prog band not to change their sound or approach over that amount of time defeats the purpose of progressive music. I can completely understand you liking old Opeth more, though. It has a more aggressive vibe to it, and Mikael’s growls are top three in the biz in my opinion.

[@MedighJuh]

As amazing as their new stuff is, It just doesn't capture that same magic as the pre 2011 years. Opeth will still go down in history as one of the greatest bands of all time. A lot of people don't know them but they still belong among the greats. They created some of the best prog death metal and prog rock of all time, Regardless of what era of Opeth you like, Every thing they have done is amazing when it comes to the genre.

[@packkevorkian1948]

One of the best progressive metal bands of all time.

[@doubting_zweifel]

Yeah, when you get to the prog years this album will make a lot more sense. So glad the growls are back too. Nice job reacting! Keep up the good work and looking forward to your Opeth journey 🤘😄🤘

[@fafolaw]

It must be weird hearing this album only knowing Blackwater Park and Still Life, I feel like there's a lot of context missing about how they evolved to this sound, this "rock n roll energy" you mention comes from their last 4 albums that basically sound like 70s prog rock, I'm a big fan of both oldpeth and newpeth, but even I'm having trouble processing this album, I don't think this is just a mix of oldpeth and newpeth like many say, this is even more experimental, progressive and theatrical than anything they've done, it requires many listens, don't get me wrong I love it, but I also get where you're coming from. You should react to Ghost Reveries, it's their most fully realized album IMO, for newpeth I would recommend Pale Communion, I love that album, Heritage is boring.

[@wolferbent8882]

You definitely need to listen to Ghost Reveries after Watershed lol. Plenty of light moments that you like, and really great heavy moments.

[@markblaauw4961]

All the songs you don't know about yet will grow on you, for sure. That's very common with Opeth's music. Nice and enjoyable review/reaction.

[@keebidegordionson7351]

58:47 Anybody else reminded of Steven Wilson’s “Driving Home” during the solo of “A story never told”?

[@1988dragoncom]

Yes i agree with you

[@welkyn5]

Yeah

[@gordonfagan7798]

100%

[@evian9999]

After listening to this album from start to finish several times, I've grown to love it. It's the best post-Watershed album by far.

[@JeremyBercow]

Last song is gorgeous. I think it is very mature songwriting. Classy Opeth which I love

[@ulfingvar1]

Whole album is a masterpiece, every second of it.

[@blindsandwich3099]

Not AT ALL what i expected from them after all this time. Not disappointed at all though. Impressed.

[@fixyoralgorithm]

They really outdid themselves with this album. Saw them on the tour. In §3, Mikael had to tune his guitar in the middle of the song, AND BACK. Truly a class act.

[@swiftla]

I really laugh whenever the growls come in on this album, as most times, he announces himself with a 'HEYY!!' as if appearing from behind a wall, before saying his piece hahaha This was the first Opeth album ive heard and its incredible, I think you either get it or you dont. multiple listens definitly needed as just one big story that chugs on with hardely any breathers until track 8 lol

[@MuhammadAhmedMubashir]

Ghost reveries from 2006 is also a concept album. It's an absolute must listen if you're on the opeth journey.

[@alexfilma16]

*2005

[@MuhammadAhmedMubashir]

@ yeah mb

[@chrissmityyy]

It's crazy that this is my first Opeth album I've listened through (4th time with you), but it's growing in me. I've been listening to prog for 4 years or so, so I've been slacking on Opeth. That'll change very soon. §5 might be my favorite. That clicked really well the first time and still stands out for me. It really seems to pick up around §3 or §4. The last track is growing on me now as well. It threw me off the first time, too 😅. There is so much music on my list to check out. What a wondrous problem to have 🤘. Also, the growls. Yes 👏

[@CuatroVeinteG]

And obiously, the musical transition of this guys is really amazing! My favorite band ever

[@The_Spogg]

im shocked on the clean vocal slander here lol love it

[@ThePenguinDruid]

It reminds me a lot of when I just got into opeth and all I wanted was the growls (maybe because opeth was my intro to harsh vocals). I actually did not care much about harlequin forest at first becasue of that (now its a favorite). Now I love his cleans a well and pale communion is one of my favorite things ever.

[@chrislilley5206]

My Arms Your Hearse and Watershed are both gold

[@fleetadmiralsakazuki]

Heir Apparent is gonna blow her away

[@Houldey]

Yes to a fellow MAYH brother, there are dozens of us, dozens! :P

[@tor2886]

Like a fine wine we are now truly starting to appreciate the beautiful complex bouquet they've curated for us.

[@kidnamedalaska]

@@Houldeyi used to dislike MAYH, it just doesn’t sound as polished and the production is kind of muddy…. quickly became the reason i love it so much. It’s opeth still in their rawest form, just becoming more mature and interesting.

[@laguna9579]

I don't have enough money to support you consistently on Patreon as I would like. I really enjoy your reactions, and I'm especially amazed and happy with this journey you've taken listening to Opeth. If I could suggest an album for you to listen to, it would be Morningrise, as it accompanied me during a very lonely time in my life, and I felt deeply connected to every riff on that album. That's it! Sending a big greeting from a sub who talks just a little :D

[@koomaj]

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull making an epic appearance.

[@matthewwheeler6683]

i just found your channel a few weeks ago. i got so happy to see you react to damnation. i connect very deeply with that album, its a cathartic album for me.

[@airsicklowlandr]

Objectively this is an amazing album that combines all of Opeth's eras into a seamless masterpiece

[@REIDOPLANETA]

an amazing album. 10/10 easily.

[@floridabelle]

I love this album soooo much. I've been listening to it all day. I'm gonna listen to your Still Life video next, and am so excited you'll be doing Watershed next. I've finally subscribed.

[@deminybs]

ayyyy, don't mind me ....just 2 weeks late xDD got the physical album and ripped it in lossless format as usual and listened multiple times with my newest headphones & DAC\AMP

[@floridabelle]

@@deminybs Up until now I've only listened with spotify (ear buds) and reactions. I do have a physical copy, but haven't opened it yet. I want to keep it pristine for as long as possible. Weird, I know. 😁

[@deminybs]

@@floridabelle haha , I totally get what you mean, if that was the case for me I would've just bought 2 copies and left one unopened 😂😂 but for collectors perspective I'd get one of the vinyl versions instead of the CD

[@floridabelle]

@deminybs A 2nd copy isn't affordable on a fixed income. Vinyl....same. It is what it is though,, so I'll be content with what I've got. 👍🏻

[@Random-qt9rn]

Listening with you gave me so much happiness today

[@WellingtonSilvaf1]

It's so cool to watch her excitement.

[@Heavy_Metal.Nerd-2005]

I saw the band with their new drummer Waltteri Väyrynen live twice, once 2 years ago in my hometown of Wuppertal, Germany for the first time and the last time I saw 'em live was 4 months ago in Dortmund, Germany for the second time. Waltteri Väyrynen is a fucking awesome drummer, gotta say.

[@sergejmiladinovic1181]

Definitely revisit this album one or two more times later, it's incredibly dense, even for Opeth standards, and certainly requires multiple listens. Ghost Reveries (a semi-concept album) and Watershed are 100% the next albums you should listen to.

[@chilepeulla]

Completely agree, I had it on repeat yesterday all day and I’m barely scratching the surface. All I can say is that I’ve really enjoyed listening to it and I like it more and more each time, but it will probably take weeks for me to be familiar with every song in the record (which is a great problem to have)

[@Dylan_Powell_song_stories]

The last track is intentionally different amd was a good choice. This is a brilliant concept album. The final track is told from the eyes of the one girl's mother, a letter sent, saying the patriarch is indeed NOT her father. Told from a woman's perspective, hence the lighter, whimsical feel

[@nicolem.simonsen]

This album sounds amazing. I really love everything about it. The Jazzy parts ( I also love the Heritage album ), Michael's growls wow sound amazing, the new drummer, well everything.

[@oregonwoodelf]

Coming from the albums you've done of theirs, this is quite a shift. For the listeners who have become familiar with the last 15 years of their music, it makes a little more sense. IMO the album is too proggy and all over the place for me, but that could change in time. It just lacks the soul and character that a lot of their other work has. I'm a fan of their longer rhythm sections, open chords, and flowing melodic passages you hear more on the mid era albums, where the songs can breathe more. Feels like hopping around from scene to scene in a circus at times on this one. With that said, its still an amazingly well crafted piece of work and deserves all the praise. It may not be everybody's cup o tea, though...big surprise, I know😂✌🧝

[@opethfan9000]

It is so fun to see your reaction. I think like all Opeth albums, it takes many listenings, to dive into this great, powerful, dynamic and crazy album. Personally i love Mikaels voice, clean or growls, he is just great. Well the band is! And i also think you should listen to In Cauda Venenum but please the swedish version. Just continue the journey….

[@fromhighestbelltower]

Opeth album 'Heritage' from 2011 it's would be the perfect thing for classic prog lovers - example of perfect old-school prog-rock stylisation and most archetypical version of that style. Song 'The Devil's Orchard' from that album is most memorable song in Opeth repertoire from my point of view.

[@effectosis742]

This album is their ultimate trolling concept.... hard to even remember what moment in what song you like the most.

[@Loakers]

The album is a textural masterclass - a dense and delicious meal!

[@johnd.salvatore440]

Awesome take and very agreeable. I really really like this album. Definitely one I'll relisten to of Opeths discography. BTW, love that you got the House of Leaves book on your self. One of the most unique books

[@ricksuddarth7200]

Great video by the way, as always!Waltteri Väyrynen is their new drummer. And Mikael said that because he was a real death metal guy that was a reason to try something harder on this album . Also might wanna check out Waltteri's former band Paradise Lost a true pioneer of Gothic metal

[@Wreath83]

Great reaction! Love that album.

[@Thunderfoxxx]

I think people should stop comparing old Opeth with new Opeth. It's a different genre now. I LOVE the new Album, it's all I could have ever wished for. Especially the last song "A Story Never Told" is in my opinion a beautiful piece of art. Does it remind me of Opeth? Yes, absolutely. Always yearning for the past is wrong I believe. Honestly, I don't want them to go completely back to "Oldpeth". I want new experiences and The Last Will and Testament is a great compliment to that development Opeth made.

[@kirawasareactor]

Eh i think it’s okay to prefer their older stuff. Music taste is simply a preference

[@rabarebra]

@@kirawasareactor They said the same when Iron Maiden's Powerslave came out in 1984.

[@bobby_c07]

People are obviously going to compare the music of a band releasing music under the same name that sounds vastly different.

[@rabarebra]

@@bobby_c07 It is not vastly different.

[@k1llm3pl54]

I really enjoyed this new album, even though I'm a really Oldpeth person. I get it not clicking for you as much, since it's quite a shift from the oldpeth sound. Newpeth is not the same thing, they try to accomplish different things and sounds, more 70's prog rock experimental and less intimal like the old times. That being said, having listened to all the Newpeth era and coming to terms with it, this album is really a treat. It's experimental, still dark and emotional. Yeah, it's not that replayable, but the full album experience is really something. Opeth released 7 masterpieces, from MAYH to Watershed. We gotta be grateful for them always delivering, and just being able to be here to listen to whatever journey they have in store for us. Opeth for me is that experience and journey they put me through, don't matter if it's one to cry to or to headbang to, and I think this album is still kinda a testament to that (pun intended). Great reaction as always!

[@Pete_-sp2bi]

Count me down for Morningrise to Watershed lol!

[@occupantvillainyoutbreak]

It’s because you haven’t been there for their evolution. Wait until the albums after watershed

[@-Heavy-]

I'm waiting for your reaction of my favorite Opeth album 'Ghost Reveries'! To me this one has the perfect balance of all the aspects that I love from them! I like the new one and that they bring something fresh into the mix,so it doesn't feel like just putting older & newer stuff together and call it an album!🤘

[@lucasbosco3473]

This album lyrics has a lot of easter eggs and references to old opeth albums, you might have seen some lyrics saying things like "Communion" which is a reference to their 2014 album pale communion, there's also "Beneath the mire" and the way he sang that line on this album is the same melody of the actual song with the same name from Ghost Reveries, there's also "As I bid farewell" which is a reference to the last song of their second album called "to bid farewell". Some are really obvious but others are not so much.

[@welkyn5]

There's also Requiem!

[@radul1992]

The fragility of Heritage

[@sisterblazemusic]

It's amazing that after 30 years of releasing music, they can still put out music that surprises me. The arranging on this album is probably their best effort. I'm definitely more akin to their older stuff, but this is their strongest release since Pale Communion.

[@EiriUesugiKun]

That flute is Ian Anderson ... "Jethro Tull" ... he also does the speaking in tracks 1 and ... can't remember the rest but many others! :D

[@freddiemossberg7204]

Pretty sure Ghost Reveries is a concept album. §5 is the absolute standout track for me. Haven’t been this into an Opeth albums since Ghost Reveries.

[@BobbyJr_]

Mikael intended it to be a concept album but he scrapped the idea after writing Isolation Years, every song has a recurring theme except for that one. I also see people saying the song order was changed after the concept was crapped and if you read the lyrics it's definitely in the wrong order.

[@freddiemossberg7204]

@ yeah I read about that somewhere. Concept or not, great album.

[@franciscomunozpena5926]

Loving your reactions. If you want top tier growls, then go review Deliverance, the dark side of Damnation 👀 and there you'll have some good death metal growls. Hope to watch you reacting to it!

[@Mr.Banter]

The bass and drums on this album are sublime, the rest very musically not heavy but intricate. Listen to the album a couple of times with each listenb I grew to appreciate it more. It was hard to understand what direction the music was going when trying to compare to previous and that was the problem for me that prevented me from enjoying initially. The album is great, different even from the last four albums

[@Elvis73]

great video, I will suscribe to this channel right away, so interesting, and by the way , I love this new Opeth Album , different Opeth , same quality

[@darkphoenix2]

I love that this kind of music takes time and effort to appreciate. I think I like this album more than you did partly because I've listened to Opeth's last four albums multiple times and been able to appreciate the style for what it is, not what it isn't. I do prefer the heavy, metal side of Opeth. But I was making the nasty stank face multiple times throughout this album. §6 is insane. But even the parts that don't satisfy me immediately will likely appeal to me at some point in the future, when I'm in a different mood. Heritage is probably Opeth's least liked album, but there's a ton of cool shit on that thing. So yeah, keep listening. Ultimately, I love this band because they have so much to offer beyond the growls and metal riffs.

[@jeremywilson8158]

I can see how this album is tough to digest after recently listening to "Still Life" for the first time. The reality is that you are listening to two entirely different iterations of Opeth. If you enjoyed "Still Life", then I highly recommend listening to the album before it: "My Arms, Your Hearse" and then run through the rest of their albums chronologically from that point. You will see the massive direction shift once you get to "Heritage", and then pieces of the new album may start to make more sense.

[@blackwood4090]

besides all references and prog going on, I've heard a lot of "The lines in my hand" motives and musical lines. What a great piece of work!

[@gabeysponge]

i don't think ive enjoyed an album this much since Korn released the nothing. I love this so much im wearing the t shirt. this is a 10/10 album

[@schpleeb]

Based on everything you've said I think you will absolutely fall in love with Ghost Reveries; arguably their best record (even Mikael himself said so). Watershed is also fantastic though - there's a song on there called Hessian Peel which is maybe their best ever song in my opinion and which seems to be criminally underrated. Whatever you choose next I hope you enjoy!

[@peterbergli5808]

My favoriye track is When, the contrast from a very soft song to a BAM that hit´s you like a fist will make you just wanna bang your head! That´s from My Arms, your hearse. First track that I do love is Deliverance but my must fav album is Watershed, you can hear some sound from the newest album from that track. :) Always glad to see you enjoy some good music, keep up the good work!

[@The13thblade]

Got to see them live on Halloween in San Francisco. So EPIC!

[@tacthebest]

I was there too! I've never been part of such an amazing crowd before

[@The13thblade]

@@tacthebest Always a good show. Unreal. It wo good.

[@HamsterCaster]

From what it sounds like you're looking for... I would suggest Deliverance and Ghost Reveries next. They're the ones that plummeted me into the Opeth rabbit hole years ago.

[@AlzaWana-h8y]

Opeth now are a progressive rock band more then death metal band. However it's a fantastic album, expecially The story never told.

[@gallien]

I love your reactions ❤

[@dariiofernando]

I need to listen to this back again .

[@dariiofernando]

Wait this is new 🤓

[@anotherhuman73]

My favorite Opeth album is from "Still Life" to "Watershed". I love "My arms, your hearse" and "Morningrise" and I like all the rest. I think the level and vibe setted on those I called "my favorite" can't be repeated, not because they don´t have the skills for it but because Mikael moved forward and he makes what he wants to do not what the people wish him to do and that is one of many things that makes him a genius. Last night I heard this album for the first time and today has been my second with your reaction. It can't be compared with old Opeth cause has nothing to do, and IMO has more influence from the last 4 albums adding the growls and as you said, a lot of tension and terror movie vibes. All this said, this album is growing on me and has some brilliant moments. I'm sure it has no songs that i can listen to a thousand times like in my favorite era, but I like it. Can´t wait to see you react to "Watershed", "Ghost reveries" and "Deliverance", there are a lot of masterpieces in there.

[@iDEATH]

Now she's picking the growls! Our girl has come so far! I feel...oddly proud? Sure, why not. Like some distant parasocial Canadian uncle or something. I had to get my own close listen in before I could watch this, so it took me a day. I really love it. I don't know if it'll replace Blackwater Park for me, but I love how interesting and musically complex this album is. It's a really nice blend of various eras of Opeth, capped by Mikael bringing back the harsh vocals. In a certain, subjective, sense, it's like Opeth couldn't have made this album without the decades of experimentation prior to it. It's another one of those things that already has me excited for what's next, which simultaneously feels crazy given the numbers of years and albums this incredible band already has under their belt. It's almost as exciting as you getting to new(er) music, Kira, especially now that you're enjoying extreme vocal styles. I can't wait for you to hear Lorna Shore (Will Ramos) or Jinjer (Tatiana Shmayluk)...crap, there's too many to mention! Also, non-extreme vocals, one of my other favourite bands, Baroness. Their 2023 album, "Stone" was incredible. And Unleash The Archers for Canadian power metal awesomeness; their singer, Brittney "Slayes" Hayes is top tier, and there's definitely some Dio influence in her style...okay, that's it I'll stop myself, it's just so exciting! I really can't wait to see what your patrons get you onto.

[@Powick01]

This release is already an absolute epic, their best work since Ghost Reveries, and not just because of the growls though that's an added bonus

[@Opethtat1]

I would go with you but I always say see Opeth by yourself and just be in the moment! I have been to about 75 shows and will be at least 4 shows next year! Enjoy and I liked listening to your reviews!

[@Nephzi]

I find it funny that you are apprehensive of Opeth albums without growls yet Damnation has no growls and is the only album to have a perfect score on the channel