What I REALLY Think About OPETH

[@bobsala7780]

Opeth is the band that got this prog rocker to like death growls. I’m one of those people that dismissed death metal for years, but after I discovered Opeth, I became aware of just how good someone can make music that fits the aesthetic of both progressive rock and harsh vocals together. Opeth opened up the world of death metal for me to discover numerous other bands that use harsh vocals.

[@TheProgCorner]

There you go!!!!! I’m kinda in the same boat…

[@joshuascott3428]

Opeth is the band that got this death metalhead into prog now I love classic prog

[@TheProgCorner]

@ That’s why Opeth is so important!!!!

[@stephanechamberland8486]

Album of the year !

[@kevinmyles6369]

Learned to appreciate and enjoy both sides of Opeth, man.. sucha great band still 🤗🤗

[@TheProgCorner]

They are!!!!

[@jazzcatjohn]

I absolutely love this album. And I never liked death growls. But like you said, this album is special. A work of art.

[@TheProgCorner]

It really is!!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@BayouMaccabee]

Great review, Scot! This is my personal #1 album of the year. I totally agree that it's a great blend of the last 2 "eras" of the band. I really dig the direction Opeth is taking, and YES, the new drummer is fantastic. The past drumming was always great, but the new guy takes it to a whole different level.

[@TheProgCorner]

What a find!!! He’s amazing!!!!

[@toddspango]

I used to feel the same way about the death growls that you do, Scott, but then I learned how to make that sound and then it became just another vocal technique. I actually appreciate that it's so polarizing -- Metalheads love it Prog heads hate it!!! -- because that suggests that it carries some cultural weight. It's just a technique, using a different part of your voice's capabilities. Michael Akerfelt is brilliant at it, even you began to notice when you described two different approaches. You can blend that distorted growl from your false vocal chords with your natural voice, if you work at it, you can get pitch out of the growl, it can definitely be modulated and nuanced. Another "distorted" singer I like is Grant Truesdell from Unleash the Archers. He's very in control of that sound and the death growls are used so well compositionally in that band.

[@TheProgCorner]

They use the harsh vocals very intelligently here. I like the variety of vocal styles!!!! What a cool album.

[@Prognosis__]

Opeth and Jethro Tull = Deathro Tull

[@TheProgCorner]

Nice!!!!

[@hvitekristesdod]

Jethro Skull

[@Cr8Tron]

Why not just call it "Opethro Tull"?

[@Prognosis__]

Scot talks about my favourite band 🤘👍👍

[@TheProgCorner]

About time too!!!!

[@shyzonzi8034]

Scott! First off, respect and love my friend! I haven't listened to Opeth in a while but I will give this album a listen because your energy is good and made me curious to listen but ALSO you called us chickenheads! Hahaha I love it! Idk what a chicken head is but it sounds funny and wholesome. 🤘😎❤️

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s not wholesome at all.❤️❤️👍👍🐍🐍

[@shyzonzi8034]

@TheProgCorner can I still be a chickenhead though? Also what is it if it's not wholesome?

[@shyzonzi8034]

I just looked it up Scott! Not wholesome in the least bit! I am no chickenhead! Never. Not even slightly.

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s a term of endearment????

[@shyzonzi8034]

@TheProgCorner haha thanks for schooling me in Opeth, all things Prog Rock, and today, funny terms of endearment. Respect and Love to you Scott. Hope you're having a beautiful day!

[@TheBatlash]

I’m one of those who missed the death growls after the Watershed album. It felt a bit like taking the chili out of a vindaloo-still good, though.

[@TheProgCorner]

The new album has me rethinking everything.

[@747jono]

My box set hopefully arrives Friday this week

[@TheProgCorner]

That thing looks so cool.

[@Prognosis__]

I’m still waiting for my vinyl album but I live in Australia so far away

[@rabarebra]

Guess you didn't get it. No one did.

[@PhilippeDumont73]

Very interesting album, not a big fan myself of the Cookie Monster vocals but there's something about Opeth that I can't quite explain, they always surprise me !!! I always loved bands that tries something new, I think that's why I love Opeth so much.

[@TheProgCorner]

You get it.

[@thetrentmeister]

This is my favourite album to be released in at least the last five years.

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s awesome!!!!🤩

[@gorancabrajic3240]

My favorite Opeth is from Heritage to In Cauda Venenum. But I really love everything from Blackwater Park and on. The new album is fantastic it brings the best of their two words.

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s kinda where I’m at too.

[@stanferraro4130]

It has taken me at least 4 listen-throughs, and this album gets better each time. Definitely a heavier, darker, less accessible style of writing, but very interesting. I've always found the "monster" vocals to be humorous and they fit in very well. Track 6 has a great mini-moog and guitar solo. Axe was a great drummer, but the "new guy" is astounding...and the mix/production is spot-on. Brilliant !!

[@TheProgCorner]

I’m impressed!!!!

[@OutOnTheTiles]

You’ve got that Thom York album behind you. Nice one 👍

[@TheProgCorner]

So good!!!

[@JukkaTirkkonen-xz9xy]

You said it well-Väyrynen👏

[@TheProgCorner]

I am 25% Swedish so…

[@Dan-r3u2f]

They should do a clean vocal version for us cookie monster despisers!

[@TheProgCorner]

Definitely!!!!👍

[@davidvangelista7109]

My favorite album of the year I love that the death growls are back.

[@TheProgCorner]

It actually works for this album. I’m impressed.

[@nickmehl1465]

I’m with you, Scot, never liked the death growl but I let it go this time because the album is so interesting. So much diversity - at times rock, metal, groove. I didn’t know Ian Anderson is the narrator! Took me a while to decide how much I like this album. There’s nothing like the Opeth sound.

[@TheProgCorner]

💯

[@johngreen3587]

👍👍👍

[@mikereiss4216]

I sampled a little bit of the latest album but I just don't like the harsh vocal thing. I still might get it though. Not sure yet.

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s that kind of record.

[@mikereiss4216]

@@TheProgCorner I think what I do is I'll get Watershed and Ghost Reveries first and then maybe this one. I still need Heritage too though.

[@TheProgCorner]

I love Heritage!!!

[@oy6793]

Another exelent review, Opeth are the best in this Extreme metal progressive

[@TheProgCorner]

I agree wholeheartedly!!!

[@eliunger16]

@theprogcorner you should do another world prog with Mexico.

[@TheProgCorner]

Yes! It’s time to bring that series back!!!

[@eliunger16]

@@TheProgCorner i discovered new bands I like because if it and a great Mexican prog band I like is Cabezas de Cera.

[@MusicVersa]

Loving this album so far... and hoping it leads to Mikael maybe taking some lead vocal turns on the next Jethro Tull album...

[@TheProgCorner]

Now THAT is a great idea!!!! Ian can’t sing anymore…

[@MusicVersa]

@@TheProgCorner Yeah and Mikael would be perfect to sing Ian's songs, too. Mikael's basically doing Tull on "Will o' the Wisp" from Sorceress, and it's perfect.

[@TheProgCorner]

@ Very Tull!!! I love Sorceress.

[@canadianstudmuffin]

I've heard a few songs on my Patreon song requests and I think the music is great but I will never be a fan of the growling... Otherwise a damn good band.

[@TheProgCorner]

Exactly!!!

[@joecrocilla7695]

I found Opeth due to Steve Wilson. I am big fan of Damnation . I can take Cookie Monster in small doses

[@TheProgCorner]

I think I’m in the same boat as you!!!!

[@BayouMaccabee]

Scot, I love you brother, but you really need to check the Urban Dictionary definition of the term "chickenhead". It will probably entice you to change to a different term of endearment. Every time I hear you use it, I keep thinking of the movie quote from The Princess Bride: "I don't think that word means what you think it means." 😂

[@TheProgCorner]

(Oh, I know what it means…)

[@BayouMaccabee]

​@@TheProgCorner 😂 Even better! 😂

[@aminahmed2220]

Awesome video have a great day Scot ❤😊 also how is your day going ❤😊

[@TheProgCorner]

Fantastic!!!! Feeling good!!!!

[@shanocles]

Yeah i took pete pardos advice and also what youve said about the vocals ... just concentrate on the excellent music ... and drumming and excellent musical themes (dave stewart rocks) so its been an exciting listen thus far 3x listens in total Plus i can actually buy opeth cd from local music shop😂 which is just about the only prog you will ever see in a store in these parts! Oh and steven wilson, and prob DT too

[@TheProgCorner]

Opeth, DT and SW. They are definitely the leaders here.

[@charlesbritzman501]

Wasn’t Steve Wilson (Porc Tree) associated with Opeth at one time ?

[@TheProgCorner]

He produced two of their albums and collaborated with Mikael on Storm Corrosion!!!

[@charlesbritzman501]

@ gotcha ! Thank you. This is how I learn Prog, from experts ! Peace in the Middle East and Ukraine !

[@TheProgCorner]

@@charlesbritzman501 ❤️👍❤️🐍💯

[@trippknotic]

I love Opeth especially the prog so I came to this album with an open mind. I’m fine with the vocals but I find the drums a bit intrusive, too much all the time. Still I’ll spin it some more times because they are one of the greatest bands of modern times

[@TheProgCorner]

I think I must like that style of drumming!!!

[@mariolafrance5806]

Cookie monster vocals !!! LOL !!! That's a good one ! By the way, I hate growl. ☹

[@TheProgCorner]

Yeah, I’m not a huge fan either…

[@morrisgautreau6704]

Never listened to them, I heard very little, but don't think I liked them enough to explore further. "Cookie Monster Vocals" made me laugh! I too am not a fan of 'Death Growls'.

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s a hard pill to swallow.

[@CoreyArsenault-c8t]

respect for being into the smile and I assume radiohead I find people over 50 don't really get them for the most part

[@TheProgCorner]

People my age can be very closed off to “new” music. (As if Pablo Honey came out this century or something…) I LOVE RADIOHEAD!!! But The Smile is really on to something great.

[@TABL3SIX]

The cookie monster is a part time employee. YES!!! 🤣🤣🤣💯 I'm surprised how much I like this. THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF FATHER!!! HEAR THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF FATHER!!! Sorry, kinda my version of the snakes.

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s really cool how he “sings” that. I too am surprised but hey, I loved Blackwater Park and Ghost Reveries so why not??!!!

[@danielfuentes3226]

I purchase the new album,there are growling on some tracks, is not a bad album but there are some good tracks on the album.

[@TheProgCorner]

Absolutely!!!!!

[@jeffd5759]

Never been a fan of death growls and it’s been the one factor keeping me from getting into Opeth. I may eventually check out their non death metal albums because I always hear how great this band is.

[@TheProgCorner]

I would start with Pale Communion - my favorite and no growls!!!

[@rabarebra]

You have to look at the growls as part of the story-telling. Have paid attention to the lyrics? Growls is an instrument, a character Mikael plays. And it is the same guy doing it. That thin little dude. I couldn't believe it the first time. To understand it. Search up Red Rocks live and Ghost of Perdition. Only then you will get it.

[@weirdspins6315]

I'm hearing nothing but reasons for me to love this one. I don't mind death growls when done well. I got hooked on it with Paradise Lost's Gothic so I'm pretty used to it. If you gave it 8.5 I'd probably go 9 which is where I place Watershed, Damnation and Heritage. Venenum was killer but it sorry of lost the hooks in the middle to me... I would call it 8.5 with a few 10 tracks.

[@TheProgCorner]

Sounds about right!!!

[@kevinputry5655]

Cookie Monster vocals! LOL Yeah, I'm not a big fan of that style of vocals either but I still love Opeth's music. The vocals do hinder my enjoyment a little. Personally I think they'd be great without vocals. Anyway, Opeth has a unique sound and these guys are very talented.

[@TheProgCorner]

They should have released an instrumental version!!!

[@jeffschielka7845]

Hey Scot! 👍☮️👑🐍🙏😎

[@TheProgCorner]

Jeff!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jeffschielka7845]

​@@TheProgCorner You really didn't answer my question yesterday. Will you do another unboxing vid?📪📦📭👍😎

[@TheProgCorner]

@@jeffschielka7845 ABSOLUTELY!!!!

[@jeffschielka7845]

​@@TheProgCorner Cool. Hoping to get it to you before Christmas. Will shoot you an email when it's in the mail.👍☃️😎

[@ilabelle1]

IDK man. I’m like you Scot. I really don’t care for those kind of vocals. I have three Opeth albums but I don’t really listen to them. I tried to get into it because of the Porcupine Tree friendship. Just isn’t for me despite their popularity. There’s just so much out there that I can get into a lot more. I do like me a killer harp solo though.

[@TheProgCorner]

I’m with you there but the music is divine!!!! And Ian Anderson too. It’s a rock solid record but yeah - there’s so much out there!!!!

[@ilabelle1]

@@TheProgCornerI am intrigued by Ian’s presence but not enough to sway me. I’ve said it before, my taste is more oak than stainless steel.

[@EclecticInstinct]

My problem with death growls is that they tend to dominate the mix and obscure good musicianship, all the while reducing the listening experience. I could only imagine what would have happened had Jon Anderson, Peter Gabriel or Greg Lake death growled at the outset of classic prog. I look at this way, swopping Ozzie with Robert Plant would be a huge difference, but swopping one death growling lead vocalist with another, not so much. 'nuff said.

[@TheProgCorner]

I heard that!!!!👍👍👍

[@carterlink]

Not for me at all. It’s not just about the death growls. I hate the metal end of the Prog genre and it completely turns me off. As someone who fell in love with all those classic 70’s bands and the later Neo stuff, I despise heavy metal ‘Prog’. I’m always open to new Prog bands and checking out fresh stuff, but they have to have something of the classic flavour for me.

[@TheProgCorner]

I usually kinda agree with that but there’s just something a little different about Opeth…

[@Mister_Jahn]

Cookie Monster is my favorite Sesame Street character (along with Oscar) so its hypocritical of me to harsh on him in heavier music. Elmo has no place in Opeth however.

[@TheProgCorner]

Nor do Bert and Ernie!!!!

[@Mister_Jahn]

@@TheProgCorner yeah, too brutahl kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJ-9n52jnc6ed80

[@nigelheathcote6084]

Hey I’m not wearing layers I got a bear skin hoodie, check it ☀️

[@TheProgCorner]

👍👍👍

[@antonnee]

O'peth. The greatest Irish band no one knows.

[@BrockwaysVinylBytes]

😂😂😂😂

[@TheProgCorner]

👍👍👍

[@josephgerard5473]

Opeth...ugh. I don't do silly voices. Honestly, the band might be fairly decent if you like that sort of grungy heavy rock style and silly vocals should be reserved for Saturday morning cartoons. Actually, maybe death metal should be reserved for Saturday morning children's programmes, too.

[@TheProgCorner]

Death Metal is not my thing either.

[@markspooner1224]

I'll be listening to the good parts but I won't be buying it I'm afraid. Growling just doesn't add anything for me and I don't want to put a record on the turntable if I don't expect to enjoy it all the way through.

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s understandable!!! I haven’t purchased this yet either - but I probably will…

[@rabarebra]

Then you get the CD /Blu-ray. You don't have to put it on your turntable.

[@geoffdennis8382]

Personally, if Opeth were playing in my front yard, I would close the drapes.

[@TheProgCorner]

Ha ha!!!!!!🤣

[@samuel_pribus]

Be careful, your drapery might fall

[@EclecticInstinct]

I would leave the house and visit my mother-in-law!

[@BrockwaysVinylBytes]

Well… as they say, the drapery falls.

[@bobsala7780]

I think your outlook on Opeth is... bleak.

[@BBlooger]

I think the death growl is just plain gimmicky chest-beating nonsense. I don't think there is anything genuine about it, and I'm really just waiting for it to end so I can enjoy the music again. Just my opinion.

[@TheProgCorner]

I hear you.

[@rabarebra]

You don't get it then.

[@mblair5327]

I tried to get into Opeth but I don't like the vocals.

[@TheProgCorner]

I get it.

[@rabarebra]

Mikael has the best vocals in the industry. imo.

[@stuartraybould2574]

Opeth have never gone backwards, until now. Nothing new here, the more I listen, the less I like it, not for me. Long time fan but this is by far their worst album. It's not bad still but not for me. If I feel like listening to something like this, it's going to be Still Life, Blackwater Park, through to Watershed all day long, never this. Not impressed, got all Opeth's albums, usually on release day, in no rush to get this one, in fact, I might not even bother. All bands run out of new ideas eventually, or most anyway, looks like that's Opeth now, shame. It was great while it lasted.

[@TheProgCorner]

It doesn’t have the catchy ear worms of Blackwater Park. The melodies are really strange. The whole album presents as a mystery to be solved. I haven’t quite gotten there yet - but I do like it a lot.

[@stuartraybould2574]

@TheProgCorner There is little to no development in the tracks, they do their thing then move on, no building up. I've tried, I really have because I've always loved Opeth. Most of their albums grow but this one, the more I listen, the more I'm bored and that's not usual with Opeth.

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s definitely a different beast….

[@rabarebra]

Speak for yourself, Stuart.

[@rabarebra]

"All bands run out of new ideas eventually" Contradictive comment. This is new stuff.

[@domerust6899]

Best album since Watershed. That "prog era" was lame, full of heartless tributes and sad imitations.

[@TheProgCorner]

I love Pale Communion. But I kinda understand where you’re coming from.

[@CloseToTheEdge-Prog]

I could never get into these at all.

[@TheProgCorner]

I know what you mean.

[@MisterWondrous]

If I am in a place and hear a growl...I leave. Too much aggression in the world already, without adding to it. I can imagine young men trying to find themselves experimenting with it, as with watching, say, wrestling. Sam Kinison died young.

[@TheProgCorner]

Sam was hilarious though!!!

[@MisterWondrous]

@@TheProgCorner He really was. So was Tommy Boy down by the river and Belushi, who were all cranked to 11. Nice and easy is easier on the longevity bone. Not as funny, granted. :)

[@exploringthemusicaluniverse]

They're definitely better than DT who are mind-numbing boring rubbish.

[@TheProgCorner]

Have you heard the new song?

[@Prognosis__]

@@TheProgCornertechnically good but boring

[@exploringthemusicaluniverse]

@@TheProgCorner I have listened to Night Terror and Broken Man including the radio edit of Night Terror. Hasn't changed my mind. They sound like a band of individual technical masters but who, apparently, are NOT aware that they should be composing a song, as a result the combination is dull. Especially the drumming, yikes. The singing doesn't even start until 1:50 in broken man, not that I am enjoying the singing either. I'd rather listen to Meshuggah, Jinjer, and amazingly enough, Opeth (not their latest albeit). J-Metal is far more interesting, btw.

[@bbchronicles736]

Yeah, not a fan of the growly vocals, or metal for that matter, but I checked this one out (because so many rave about Opeth), and did make it all the way through (barely). But No, just not for me, didn't find anything at all appealing here (every time there would start to be something resembling an interesting melody or instrumental passage, those irritating vocals or bludgeoning metal riffs came crashing in). Not something I would listen to again, and won't even crack my Top 100 albums of 2024. Too much other great music out there to listen to.

[@TheProgCorner]

Opeth is a band a lot of people care about so I felt a need to really dig into this new one. I really like it but I completely get where you’re coming from!!!

[@andrewlongshaw2128]

Naaaa. Sorry, but I have never liked Opeth. Just not to my taste, Scot. Hey, I have listened but no. I'm not disin' them but it's just not for me.

[@TheProgCorner]

I hear you!!! Opeth are a strange band for me. I love them but I hate the growls…

[@markcastillo2757]

Don't like this release at all,no memorable melodies,hooks or riffs.This was what I liked about Opeth,this one seems lost

[@TheProgCorner]

The melodies are really strange here. But I’m starting to latch on…

[@progman777]

Garbage! To each his own….. PUKE!

[@TheProgCorner]

Why? Oh why???

[@Matias-music-71]

Growls or no growls , never cared for them ,

[@TheProgCorner]

🤔

[@juliemusique-tn4dp]

well i dont understand how you can comment i will never be a opeth fan i just dont like it its scary and all that screaming weird

[@TheProgCorner]

It is a bit off putting…

[@Prognosis__]

You have to give it a go..or just listen to Damnation..great album

[@rabarebra]

Then the Jethro Tull Christmas Album is the prog album for you.

[@juliemusique-tn4dp]

@@rabarebra JETHRO TULL YES BETTER