After three years of hard work, the Swedish avant-garde band Opeth returns with 'Watershed', continuing their shift in musical direction by some degrees with every release. Whether you like this or not, they won't be at your front door crying for apprecation. Watershed is another example of an unexpected new sound yet one that is so typical of them.
The album starts off with something never done before in the history of Opeth: a track with female vocals. The sparkling clean voice of Nathalie Lorichs blends in amazingly and makes 'Coil' an excellent starting track for the album. Nonetheless, female vocals are to be found nowhere else on the rest of the album, which is fair enough.
After this quite melancholic track, it's time for 'the drama' in 'Heir Apparent'. If there's one solid thing you could say about Opeth, it would be their capability to describe an intelligible kind of drama in their music, even without lyrics. 'The Lotus Eater' represents what the contemporary Opeth is all about, according to band leader Åkerfeldt. Personally I can think of finer examples, but I do agree that's it's a mixture of all what they stand for: melodic stampedes, soft parts with a sinister edge to it, straight forward guitar riffs and sudden dramatic parts that darken the atmosphere. 'The Lotus Eater' spins off a musical storm whirling through the mind of the album itself. A Dantesque tempest that won't cease before the fourth track, 'Burden'.
This track sounds ludicrously cheesy in the first notes, and even more when the male backing vocals fall in. Perhaps this is what happens when a man stays up late at night with two bottles of fine wine and way too much Scorpions-albums. However, this track clearly shows the capabilities of the lead singer when it comes to clean vocals.
The following track is debut single 'Porcelain Heart'. Long time Opeth fans will agree with me when I say that Opeth has never been a video band. We had the horrible, (hòrrible!) music video for 'The Grand Conjuration', which former guitar player Peter Lindgren described as if ‘his cat sat on it’; but videos are a necessary evil when signing to a major label. The video for 'Porcelain Heart' is at best acceptable, but there may be no one who will successfully picture their overwhelming sound.
'Hessian Peel', probably one of the most bizarre arrangements Opeth has put together. As the track lifts off with a tender and comforting sound, it suddenly goes bleak and bursts into a violent tragical sound. It then calms down to a mid-tempo, but that's just the eye of the storm. The overwhelming feeling is to leave the listender confused and desperately trying to comprehend the whole concept.
Finally 'Hex Omega' finishes the whole experience in grace. This may be the favourite track on the album to people who aren't fond of the harder work. Not really violent, nor silent, it blends an eager mellow atmosphere with a straight forward chorus. In fact, this track sounds very accessible, and might be one of those tracks that’s gain appreciation for Opeth among metal critics.
In short: the album is another masterpiece. For long time listeners it may ask a little adaption. The line up has changed drastically over the last couple of years but still Michael Åkerfeldt manages to reach the heights with Opeth, despite the critics that claim otherwise.
Maarten DK
Posted In Album Reviews, Sep 07 2008.