Opeth - Watershed Review

Over the last 10 to 15 years Sweden has become the purveyor of some of the greatest music, not only this side of the Atlantic, but across the global world of music. At the top of this elite are Opeth whose latest offering, is the so called “Watershed” in their career. In the last 2 years they have lost two vital members from their ranks in the shape of Martin Lopez and Peter Lindgren. Although this would be a death blow to some if not most bands this has not perturbed main-man Mikael Akerfeldt from creating a great although difficult listening experience. The album opens with the Pink Floydish sounding acoustic number “Coil” which boasts some of the most lavish clean vocals Mr Akerfeldt has peformed on record along with the vocals of fellow Swedish vocalist Nathalie Lorichs. As the album progresses into the next 2 tracks things go down a more brutal path involving gut wrenching death metal vocals (as per usual), some blast beats and also the oddest of prog/jazz piano parts you are ever likely to hear on an Opeth album. It is on these tracks that new drummer “Axe” has proved himself as an astounding drummer and more than capable of filling the shoes of departed member Martin Lopez. However the stand out track on the album has to be “Burden”. Upon the first listen you think “what in the name of…”. This is the most unOpeth track you are ever likely to hear. It just screams of 70’s prog power ballads. It even has the obligatory piano solo. This is the point on the album where you can truly hear some of Akerfeldt’s musical influences.

The track “Porcelain Heart” is the lone track co composed with new man Frederik Akesson and to some extent it shows. The track reeks of a slightly more complex arrangement of “The Grand Conjuration” from their previous outing with Akerfeldt’s vocals reaching an almost falsetto height towards the final 2 minutes of the number. The closing tracks “Hessian Peel” and “Hex Omega” (those names I know!!!) are again 2 of the more experimental tracks from Opeth in recent years with “Peel” showing some truly brutal moments and some shredtastic lead work from Mr. Akesson. “Omega” boasts some Faith No More style lead riffage and believe or not a real church organ which closes the track and the album. All in all this is a great album but at times it sounds painfully average with the lyrics sounding extremely cheesy at times, see “Hessian Peel”, and some of the riffs sounding uninspired, see “Porcelain Heart” . Production wise the album cannot be faulted in any way with the drums for the first time, to these ears anyway, being more forward in the mix and sounding a lot thicker in general. This album will be the one that will truly polarize opinions on this band. It is the most difficult Opeth album to listen to and to get fully into. You’re either going to love it or hate it. I love it, but only just about.