Opeth - The Last Will and Testament REVIEW | New Album Spotlight!

[@TheProgCorner]

I’m of two minds on this.

[@lejnbolejn]

Great review, mate. Similar path here. It all started with me appreciating and enjoying Damnation. Then my daughter started listening to it and adding more metal stuff. And then me gradually accepting it. I still struggle here and there with some of the heaviest growls but that doesn't prevent Opeth from being my favourite band of all time. Followed by Crimson and Gentle Giant.

[@joshdavis8929]

Like you, I was never a huge fan of Opeth but appreciate a lot of their work. This album is great though and makes me want to dig a little deeper into their discography. Love your reviews Nathan!

[@Capitaomac1]

Yeah, about the growls: i remember 20 years ago when i listened to Opeth for the first time thinking the same. Amazing music but couldn't decide if i loved it or not because of the growls. I was never into harsh vocals even in the 80's, but then again Mikael's growls are unique. So much depth combined with perfect diction and metric perfection, always fitting the music they create. Today they are one of my favourites and you know what? I'm so happy the growls are back! I mean, i love their last 4 albums before this one, but this is a new chapter. I call it Operath. And i love it!

[@gmbtempe]

For me, started 6 years ago with prog rock...then to prog metal...then prog death metal. The vocals are the vocals but its the dark melodic mixtures of heavy and light with dripping atmosphere that is hard to resist. No one does that better than Opeth.

[@ralphmuller6040]

I've been onboard as an Opeth fan since the 'Damnation' release when I heard 'Windowpane' on a late night heavy metal music TV channel. I found the harsh vocals an acquired taste but it actually didn't take too long and I was in boots and all. I own everything they've ever done on CD and many LPs. I've only listened though the entire 'Last Will...' album once in it's entirety and, if I'm honest, was a bit underwhelmed. However, having lowered my expectations, I've heard a few of the early tracks again and I think it's coming into focus for me. Early days. (BTW: I love many of the albums you have behind you. I recently discovered Ritual - The Story of Mr Bogd Pt1. Brilliant album. The Dear Hunter, Bear Ghost, Jethro Tull, Beardfish and IQ - Great stuff!.) Subscribed!

[@markrichardson8378]

Paragraph 1-7 is meant to be like reading a will. Their new drummer,valteri has done a stunning job on his recording debut. Love the album,but my top 2,are,watershed & pale communion.

[@bbchronicles736]

Although not much of a fan of Prog metal, I checked this out, as so many people championed how great Opeth is. Nope, not for me. Didn't find anything here of much interest or appeal. The growly vocals ruin every track (every time it starts to get somewhat melodic, those terrible vocals intrude again), but it's more than just that. Not anything I would ever want to hear again.

[@brettstrausser3846]

Praying for an instrumental version of this one! Can't abide the stupid growling, non-vocals.

[@doyouluvit]

nothing stupid about them, that's who Opeth is! And they ARE vocals!

[@MartinUglow]

Without the variation of vocal styles, you really are missing out on what makes Opeth what they are! The light and dark textures add emphasis to the different parts of the music and the stories!

[@doyouluvit]

@@MartinUglow exactly

[@michaelmiller7574]

Nice video Nathan. The growling so called vocals ruin it for me. Maybe a few years from now some bands will have a vomiting sound for vocals, l'm sure alot of people will love that too.