Classical Composer Reacts to Ghost of Perdition (Opeth) | The Daily Doug (Episode 254)

[@larsnait]

I will not give up! I propose once again Opeth - Hessian Peel. Beautiful masterpiece. It's worth Doug to listen to it

[@Taunic]

Yes

[@ichsannurfarizki]

Yes

[@Albert-Freeman]

Yes

[@cheeseontoast9251]

Yes.

[@theyescapedtheweightofdarkness]

Yes

[@tobykok8788]

“Interesting chord progression.” Opeth in a nutshell 😁

[@alanstephenson7657]

Can we take a moment to acknowledge just how good Mikael is at transitioning from Growling to Harmonic singing? One of the best things about this song.

[@matheuspassos7000]

The best in the business. Mikael is great.

[@HarryWincup]

I still remember hearing this album for the first time on release day and it's been my favorite Opeth album ever since. Personally, I would always recommend listening to studio tracks for Opeth because a lot of the incredible production is lost in their live performances imo. That said, having been fortunate enough to see them live a lot of times over the years, the live highlight is that Mikael is absolutely hilarious in between songs. 50% stand-up comedian for sure.

[@ManiacTobi]

Totally agree on the production aspect.

[@RushAss]

It comes in at a close third just behind Still Life and Blackwater Park for me. Fabulous album.

[@whrussy]

My favourite opeth album as well by a landslide. Saw them live shortly after this album came out and it was perhaps the best show I've ever seen. I'll never forget it.

[@Asgath]

I agree wholeheartedly with this

[@raybergstrom]

This is my favorite, too. Blackwater Park and Deliverance are tied for second place.

[@nightwolf2666]

You basically defined Opeth when you said, "They are doing things I am not used to." Yeah, that is them in totality. Just incredible composition.

[@GraemeRoberts]

Oh wow The Grudge tomorrow. So basically back-to-back days of two of the greatest opening tracks in prog metal. Awesome start to November.

[@Arrow2theACL]

If there was ever a moment that Doug may "Like" heavy metal double kick, it would be during this live show. The entire performance with the outside ambience, the lights with the kick and the sound is just \m/ .

[@JoshGUITARofolo]

“Mikael writes some interesting chord progressions!” So true.

[@carlosbarreto6322]

For me the most amazing thing about his song are the drums. Its a masterpiece from Martin Lopez..

[@Fuudlam]

In this video drums played by Martin Axenrot

[@GaudyGabriev]

Lopez was on absolute fire in that era. The drumming in Ghost Reveries and Damnation has always blown my mind.

[@antonflystrup932]

@@Fuudlam yes but he is playing Lopez parts

[@sergioagostini7244]

I hope you will have the oportunity to interview Mikael as you interviewed Jordan Rudess. He is a really interested musician.

[@Laurasiana]

As the heavy metal death growl goes, I think Åkerfelt is one of its best practitioners. He actually pays attention to rhythm and key, which produces a musical result. That’s surprisingly rare. And in other news, Porcupine Tree are back. One of the new tracks, “Harridan,” is on KZbin. How about giving us a Daily Doug reaction to that?

[@TheErazar]

Wow, thanks for letting us know about the Porcupine Tree track!

[@matthewperkins2827]

Thanks for the heads up about Porcupine tree! That was unexpected!

[@vorpalblades]

It sounds exactly the same on every song.

[@Reznik16]

Props to your brother for singing randomly ”ghost of perdition” for people who haven’t heard the track 😅 you should do a reaction with Dan.

[@manulius]

It's good to know i'm not the only one who does this

[@robertfripp1979]

You should give Leprous a listen, I think you would like it. Try their song ‘The Price’. Great vocals that you would surely appreciate. Lovely channel you have going on here. Thanks!

[@tmauro386]

I’ve been saying this for ages Too many great tracks to choose from to get an idea of their musicality and depth,since they are always evolving. Hopefully one day they will get the recognition they so truly deserve…but for now will just wait and enjoy it from the sidelines LEPROUS!!!!

[@KenoxProductions]

I've had Aphelion on repeat for a while. Leprous is seriously the best rock band currently.

[@tmauro386]

@@KenoxProductions I’m currently shuffling their entire catalog, but yeah Aphelion is superb!

[@drumfynnfun]

The Sky is red, guys!

[@tmauro386]

@@drumfynnfun should do a drum play through reaction…

[@steve.hoffman]

And Doug’s evolution into metalhead is almost complete!

[@commonsense7754]

No matter how many times I hear this performance Im always so impressed with how versatile and tight they are! Sound and lighting engineering is excellent

[@larbremord]

Try "Ne Obliviscaris" - And plague flower the kaleidoscope! You will be amazingly overwhelmed! Period!

[@Raul-te2pi]

Forget Not is my favorite for Ne Obliviscaris

[@Rassalcon]

@@Raul-te2pi forget not is great. but plague flowers is THE song for a first listen.

[@yibril17]

@@Rassalcon No, not for a Doug's first listen ;) Too harsh (vocal and drum wise). "Forget not" is way more friendly towards Doug's preference: less double kickdrumming, growlings not up front.

[@larbremord]

@@yibril17 a musician of his tier doesn't think like that

[@larbremord]

It would be greater then that video of DragonForce. Wich it ain't impressed Doug at all.

[@carian_]

You should do a reaction to Ne Obliviscaris! Two songs I recommend are: 1. Devour Me, Colossus (Part I): Blackholes 2. Forget Not They are amazing and a bit unusual as they incorporate things like black metal and violin into their compositions. Also, they kick ass live! I saw them couple years ago, and they sounded exactly like in their albums. Anyway, thanks for the content!

[@Babis_music]

Hell Yeah! NeO rules!

[@WhereCrabsAreSquads]

Yeah, thats a true masters! But i apologize that Doug dont like triple bass-drums kiks))))

[@yibril17]

+ Forget Not. As someone who has been recommending NeO for almost the whole year (and yeah, they're that long overdue here), I advise the following: please be careful and thoughtful with the songs you recommend, people. "Devour Me, Colossus (Part I): Blackholes", as much as I love it, it will be too much for Doug: way too harsh because of the growls and the kickdrumming.

[@bernhardkrickl3567]

Back in the day on the (now defunct) Opeth forum there was a discussion whether or not Ghost Reveries is still a concept album or not and what the story is or was intended to be. Mikael says its not a concept album, so it isn't. But still, the lyrics are pretty open to interpretation so everybody can piece together a story from the songs as they like. I didn't really think long about it but from just a superficial impression of the lyrics imo the story is from the viewpoint of a son whose mother dies. He may or may not have something to do with her death, it might be that the mother was somehow possessed, but now the son is battling his own demons, becoming more and more depressed and desperate and finally going about to summon the devil himself, maybe to confront him, maybe to demand the soul of his mother back, maybe to let the devil loose on the world in an act of revenge. Then there is the last track, "Isolation Years". Mikael said it was the song for which he gave up the concept because it didn't fit but he wanted it on the album anyways. Still, I like to think that Isolation Years reveals that after all it was the son that died after a descending into madness and the mother actually never died but mourns the death of her son forever after.

[@trigintatres9787]

Nice! Love your concept of the album 😀

[@underwoodvoice9077]

The studio version was the first Opeth I ever heard, and I've been a total fan ever since.

[@Neil-v4v]

I recently discovered Opeth for the first time (I'm 43!) at Resurrection Fest in Spain this year. Only band there that made me want to buy their albums, they were brilliant. They were then followed by Judas Priest who were also magnificent!

[@MrScrofulous]

Ghost Reveries has a deep narrative thread through all the songs, which is worth knowing about. Doug slowly realising that metal is just modern classical really.

[@asharmstrong6730]

Great track, and Ghost Reveries is a terrific album. I can't choose between it and Blackwater Park as my favourite, so I don't. As for the lyrics and song titles, I tend not to dwell on them overmuch. On the Roundhouse Tapes live album and DVD, Mikael mentions the lyrics to one song as being the 'usual black-metal nonsense'. I like all that Gothic doom and gloom, being a devotee of Victorian and Edwardian ghost stories, but I don't take it seriously: it's all for entertainment purposes.

[@bartsuijs7196]

A large part of the Ghost Reveries album (including this song) was written in a DADFAE tuning instead E standard, that why a lot of the chord progression on this song and album sound really unique.

[@777malkavian]

Lots of open string flavor in these chords.

[@doctorwankensteintv8171]

I remember hearing Blackwater Park for the first time. It blew me away for being so different. Glad you found it interesting. I also love your breakdowns of the songs your listening to! It's awesome to hear your takes. Probably why your reacts are so great! Thanks for sharing your knowledge 🤘

[@Irquiois]

The chord progressions are VERY rooted in D because Michael had tuned his guitar to Open Dmadd9 (D-A-E-F-A-E) to experiment with alternate tunings while writing this album. Åkerfeldt differs from many extreme metal guitarists in that he _mainly_ sticks to E Standard instead of downtuning his guitar to for example C or B Standard. Some of the songs on Ghost Reveries are played with guitars tuned E standard and some with the Open Dmadd9.

[@anthem74]

Doug, I must recommend Opeth's piano piece Silhouette from the album Orchid. It is a roughly 3 minute instrumental performed by Anders Nordin, the drummer on Opeth's first 2 releases. It's fantastic!

[@dunazrael378]

I was there! It was so powerful with the cold desert wind blowing through the canyon

[@bwehh7272]

I was at that concert at radio city music hall, and they did indeed play Ghost of Perdition. The highlight of the show for me was when they played By The Pain I See in Others for the first time live, from their 2002 album, Deliverance(which happens to be my favorite.) It was a blast, it's just a shame the floor at my seat was slanted sideways. That was a miserable walk back to Penn Station.

[@AntiSaint96]

Hey Doug! If you haven't heard it or reviewed it, you'd really like Lotus Eater by Opeth. Very unique and dynamic song!

[@MetalGeek464]

Nice Breakdown. Love Opeth🤘My vote for the next Opeth would be Serenity Painted Death, Moonlapse Vertigo or White Cluster.

[@OlliLeino_sportstuff]

Thanks, Opeth just delivers magic when playing live. Loosely related to Opeth, Porcupine Tree just published a new track "Harridan"(!). First one in 12 years. Should Doug be among the first ones to check it out?

[@mr.steinhaus6014]

Not going to lie, Opeth was shown to me before I was ready. I ran into this song on Rock Band back in the day and haven’t looked back. Riff masters!!! One killer riff after another and insanely fun to play (on the real guitar LOL!!).

[@saltlakeatrocity9771]

I've always interpreted this song's lyrics as being basically Norman Bates from Psycho, or a similar circumstance/scenario like Ed Gein or whatnot. He kills his mother, but is then haunted by her afterwards and this haunting builds into a crescendo throughout the song's duration.

[@Yupppi]

Your brother sounds like an average Opeth enjoyer, randomly growling nonsense :D Thank you very much for this video, youtube started recommending ghost of perdition reactions out of the blue. And while it's fun to see someone get completely into it and becoming a fan of the same thing as you are, this calm analysis is very nice. Very different commentary and points made than I'm used to, I'm getting new perspective to this song, especially the analysis of the lyrics.

[@alanbrown7412]

Hi Doug. Thank you so much for your reaction to one of my favourite bands Opeth... Ghost of Perdition a real favourite song of mine. Well done to DJ Ed..for picking this track . I have seen them play this many times in the UK...but I would have really loved to see the band at Red Rocks. I don't know whether it's the song infiltrating my brain but, I randomly say Ghost of Perdition ... Just like your brother 👍🤣🤣 I really appreciate how you dissect the lyrics and note / chord progressions . Looking forward to your next reaction of Tool. Take care, stay safe. Peace from Liverpool UK 👍✌️🤘☮️

[@ibanezleftyclub]

Easily my top 3 best Opeth songs ever.

[@TheAskald]

It's one of these songs that nobody hate. Some very popular Opeth songs can divide the fans, but everybody agree on this one.

[@jonathandufern7421]

Opeth is a great band. They have kept constantly evolved. I saw them live around 2006. One of the best bands I have seen. I love how Michael keeps getting cleaner as a vocalist.

[@dm_hex]

Being there to experience that performance was absolutely incredible. Great vid.

[@danielecariboni2829]

Great reaction. To go deeper in the rabbit hole of interesting death metal, I suggest to check out some tracks by Death. Basically any song from Symbolic or Individual Thoughts Pattern. I suggest "crystal mountain" or "the philosopher" to start with

[@yyzjohann]

Just wanna make sure everyone knows about Martin Lopez, who did the original drums, which in my opinion is one of the best singular drum performances of all time

[@carlosbarreto6322]

For me this song is what it is because of what he did. Amazing.

[@Alfaqwad]

Always enjoy the studio version more because of him

[@ManiacTobi]

Agreed.

[@TheErazar]

now he's in Soen

[@CAVerylising]

He's a legend, sadly underrated.

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

One of my favorite Opeth songs from my favorite Opeth album. Doesn't get much better than this!

[@WhereCrabsAreSquads]

The perfect start for November will be "The Dirge for November" by them, I apologize. Another one masterpiece song of Opeth, a true picture of cold and dark November

[@RainElement98]

I was in the row behind you during the Radio City Music Hall concert. One of the Best shows I ever experienced, and the first time that the band ever played Death Whispered a Lullaby live

[@Godlobber]

I saw Opeth on the Ghost Reveries tour in a 500 seat club in Seattle back in the day. The word amazing really doesn't do that show justice.

[@MichaelNolting-cc6db]

They're musical ride is extraordinary, love how this band can do this time after time.

[@danuglw1205]

you should react to death-voice of the soul, sacred serenity, spirit crusher. and many more. I love your opeth reactions. amazing band

[@PK--ITA]

You gave Opeth, I didn't react? What a shame.... My favorite band, the best and darkest compositions ever. And that's why I love them. And on top of that on my birthday... I won't say which one because I feel young and won't boast about it. 🤣🤣 Regards to DJ Dan 👍👍

[@FranekComposes]

Loved the analysis of the lyrics 💥

[@Arrow2theACL]

Now just think how it would be with a cocktail.

[@FranekComposes]

@@Arrow2theACL 🎶🥃💥

[@amigosXcorrespondenc]

I love your reactions. Been watching your Malmsteen's videos, but you haven't react to the best of Malmsteen instrumental pieces (in my opinion, another classical musician). Baroque & Roll and Majestic Blue, those are your pieces! I will sub just hoping you will do this someday🤘 Regards from Argentina 🇦🇷

[@tinplatedave]

I was there and I've been there before for other amazing shows. That place (Red Rocks) is a truly magical place. Somewhere between Earth and the Atmosphere. It was actually very cold there that night. Opeth started out playing in T shirts then promptly put on jackets. The winds picked up and yet they still played a perfect set same as Gojira. I remember seeing video cameras wizzing by on steel cables. Excellent experience. Thanks for bringing me back there.

[@slstanc]

I would really love to see you do something by the band Wobbler. I came across them somewhat recently but they dive deep into the sounds and themes of all the classic progressive rock groups with their own spin on it. Been hooked on them lately.

[@pentagrammaton6793]

Wobbler are the modern masters of prog. Anything by them would be great, but I might go with the track From Silence to Somewhere. :)

[@HattemAlHajry]

A very talented band indeed, Highly recommend for prog lovers.

[@slstanc]

@@pentagrammaton6793 I agree. I have not heard a song by them I didn't like even throughout all the various styles they dive into. From Silence to Somewhere is a great song as well.

[@pentagrammaton6793]

@@slstanc I guess I chose that one for its sheer complexity, I think that Doug would go to town on it. :)

[@madjock-ig5bv]

Yeah, that is a great shout! Add my name to the list for Wobbler.

[@farzyness]

OH MY - I'M SO EXCITED TO WATCH THIS!!!!

[@sarcasmoassholio2801]

Porcupine Tree just dropped a new single after 12yr hiatus. It's awsome give it a listen your already a fan so no reaction necessary.

[@bennettk90]

Damn. I forget about live sometimes and it blows me away how good these guys are live. And pop stars think they have real talent. Can't even come close to this

[@aloyalcatholic5785]

I know that Mikael sings about how religion is “bs” but I appreciate he seems keen on thinking about it. It shows that he has questions about it at least and thinks on that level, which is respectable. I also love his unique and beautiful music

[@Bobbias]

Yes, he clearly has thought deeply on many things. I'm happy to see that you can look past any differences of opinion and appreciate the music.

[@Barbarian75]

Found this channel and it is fantastic! Listened to Opeth live only once, in London 2016 and it was mesmerizing.

[@jgg02]

Always glad to see swedish bands covered here.

[@bpeterson89]

Fantastic break down. More Opeth! More Opeth! Love your videos, Doug!

[@yobo75]

I really like you spreading your knowledge and I appreciate that you see the greatness of this fantastic band. By the I saw Michael for some weeks ago in Stockholm ☺️🤘🏻

[@Quileryn]

This song is an absolute masterpiece in my opinion. Lyrically, there's a ton to unpack. The song itself is as equally complex, but not to the point where it doesn't lack feeling. Especially this particular live version of the song, such a gorgeous venue, too. Super cool you got to see them with your brother!

[@cheeseontoast9251]

Isolation Years, the end track on Ghost Reveries actually 180's the story of GoP, if not the album up that point. Such a beautiful somber track that turns the narrative on its head.

[@LostCoastGhost_]

Just found your channel, loving it. I was at this show and it was amazing!

[@coisasaqui]

i love that u read the lyrics

[@Aaronjbrowne]

This is the first video i seen of yours. good content. thanks. subscribed

[@jacklarsen4]

The audio quality of this live show is unreal.

[@grrrom991]

the first two tracks on Watershed work incredibly well together

[@ryanprentice6921]

This is IMO their greatest song.

[@deminybs]

Hooray for literally any OPETH 🥰

[@douglaswilliamson5641]

I was at this show. It was really awesome. The wind got cold by the time of their set and they were dealing with numb fingers while they played. Devin townsend actually opened this show.

[@gustavmetal]

I´ll just leave this here, to see it gain attention, because I think it´s something Doug might be interested in checking out and also because I´m surprised more people havent mentioned it before: "TUOMAS HOLOPAINEN - A Lifetime of Adventure"

[@dennissnyder6447]

I love Opeth. The juxtaposition is amazing and the tone is spot on. It's "Rainbows, rainbows....then PUPPY KILLER! PUPPY KILLER! PUPPY KILLER!!!!!!"

[@Marrero1]

I love how much love the bass gets in this mix

[@marxlne]

I am absolutely sure you would like Opeth's song "Coil", which is the opening song from album Watershed. It has very distinct melodic acoustic guitar characteristics, chord progressions are absolute blast for acoustic guitar. I would love to hear how you'd be jamming on your piano while listening to it!

[@chriscoote2690]

You can’t listen to Coil without Heir Apparent…Beauty and the Beast…

[@gabinonacif5482]

Doug! You heard my prays!!! Thank you very much!

[@mikaelsehlstedt1105]

The drummer Martin is fantastic

[@VeritasNous]

I was amused and pleased to hear that your brother randomly sings "ghost of perdition." I find myself doing that a lot.

[@aceca]

Good too hear im not the only one whos randomly saying "Ghost of Perdition" with a growl. You and your brother rock Doug! 🙌

[@mattbush1542]

It's important to know that this song was written om Mikael's mother whose health was fading away; when she had been seemingly saintly and devout in her youth. How the progression played out is tragic, both for the mother and for Mikael.

[@studiovyne6371]

haha that part about your brother randomly saying "ghost of perdition" was hilarious! pretty sure my bro can relate lol

[@Sk1pperCS]

11:13 is my favorite part. When it all calms down and the drum rhythm leads. And mikaels clean vocals come in and lead to the solo. Mmmm

[@JoriDiculous]

whoa i was sure you had dine this already. Well, nothing wrong with a but of Opeth after midnight especially GoP, brilliant track, great live. (Roundhouse Tapes is highly recommended.

[@Bobbias]

Oh yes, it finally happened! Been waiting on this.

[@sevkirsaliyesi]

more opeth analysis pls :)

[@louisd95714]

Please listen to the entire album of Damnation. It's probably the best "clean vocals' album they have ever put out.

[@AbsoRuud76]

When I see Opeth on the Daily Doug, I drop everything and I click.

[@MikaTarkela]

I'd love to see you react to some of the songs on their album "Watershed". I know you have reacted to a couple of them I think. "Hessian Peel" would be cool!

[@tilman9506]

I’m seeing these guys two weeks from today. I couldn’t be more excited

[@delewarek]

You should listen the last album of Opeth - In Cauda Venenum . The Garroter is my favourite song - it is a strange mix, but I love it about this band that it can surprise me so much. Best band ever 👍

[@chadheintz2238]

I WAS THERE! FUCKING AWESOME LIVE SHOW!

[@aizatms]

Martin is double pedaling but instead of the double bass with individual pedals setup, he uses a more compact twin pedal setup. A drummer's personal style of playing and preference (with slight differences [w/o accounting the dimension/type of wood/what kind of skin, etc.] in the bass drum tone) but the effect intended remains, pure fluid heart-thumping double bass.

[@tylerjacobson8012]

Ghost of perdition is an interesting piece for so many reasons. One it’s written in dadfae tuning. Mikael didn’t know of the tuning. He just thought it “sounded nice”. The main theme isn’t introduced til the halfway point of the song. There’s like 8 different parts to the song. It’s mostly all just in d. Its such a great track.

[@thedonsz9186]

This song is about a son murdering his mother, very eery. This song is a masterpiece and never fails to touch me

[@browncoat697]

As far as the song's subject, I'm fairly sure it's a story about a guy who believes he is possessed by a demon and murders his mother, then he basically "comes to" and realizes what he's done. A later song, Harlequin Forest, is a later part of the story, the guy flees into the woods and is tormented by visions of what he had done, while others try to capture him (he hears hounds baying behind him, hunting him).

[@Xennox2]

This the opeth that i like:) Felt a bit sad when the changed everything to a more progg/strange/bop bop sound But it is good that they produce the kind of music that they want to play. Not every band can do that

[@tammyelizabeth5157]

Watching live. You can't help but close your eyes to feel the.song.

[@tomastextor]

The 12/8 part at 8:04 part has the African standard bell pattern in the guitars.

[@_Helm_]

is this partly a project for Doug to understand and connect with his more metalhead brother? If so that's very sweet

[@wpeterserrazu]

Hi Doug, it would be a good idea for you to do a music appreciation with #thecharismaticvoice. Greetings from Santiago, Chile

[@grabber_blu_angel]

If you can stomach the gutteral vocals, Opeth has a LOT of really, really interesting music. A lot of clean vocals too.

[@MrAmer532]

I think "Bleak" off of Blackwater Park has the growling that you would like the most (or not dislike the most lol) bc of its melodic applications. It's the track right b4 Harvest which is the resolution Bleak builds up to