Opeth
"Blackwater Park"
Koch Records
By Vinnie Apicella Didn't quite associate this band with the degree of severity with which they play-"Painfully conceived" as written in the credits isn't a bad place to start. Dark, stammering, nearly brooding with a larger degree of melodic principles, nearly black but not quite so. Quickly coming to mind as the dissonant notes of "Blackwater Park" drain through my slowly draining senses is the crossover period experienced by the likes of former bearers of the Black Metal crown, Amorphis. Opeth was undoubtedly more brutal in their beginnings and it's easy to hear the core principles remaining intact as musical expressiveness pervades at many angles resulting in an expansive, Gothic quality, amber in color, somber in content, always writhing away from set course. "Bleak" stands out among the early wanderings, incorporating multi-faceted instrumental work in and around embroiled angst and unexpectedly bright chorus, a true shining light piercing through the mist. "Harvest" begins acoustically, surrounding the listener in a shroud of mysticism, nearly folk-like in its arrangements, spiritual in its cold embrace. It's not difficult to see how Opeth's been able to succeed to see their fifth release reach fruition-they've taken to progressive measures to be sure, as have many in their class who've still maintained their overall dignity while focusing further on their musicality even if not always original, an integral part of this long and winding sojourn through the depths of despair. where viability often crosses swords with creativity and only the select few who'll rise to elite status will survive the day. "Blackwater Park" is an imaginative classic in the making that finds Opeth's unyielding ascension a smooth one, if not deliberate.
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