Still Life (+DVD) - Opeth

Advantages: Everything, from perfection and beyond
Disadvantages: Doesn't go on forever

...1) The Moor 2) Godheads Lament 3) Benighted 4) Moonlapse Vertigo 5) Face Of Melinda 6) Serenity Painted Death 7) White Cluster Bands today often seem to have at least one of many flaws, either they are jumping on the bandwagon of what will sell in todays market, they lack imagination, or are simply not unique. Opeth however, can boast all of these qualities, profound imagination, uniqueness of the highest caliber and unrivaled originality. The musicianship, notably of the guitars, is increasingly dynamic on this album to that of earlier records (Orchid, Morning Rise) but in a similar vein to its follow up (Blackwater Park). Progressive acoustic sections are far from a rarity on "Still Life", and these, together with enchanted vocals, set a wondrous tone which carries an infectious flow like never before. Switching... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Expansive, beautifully crafted, musically moving
Disadvantages: Once hooked, it's difficult to give Opeth up...

...Brutal and agressive, with beautiful melody and atmosphere. Indescribable except as an exceptional metal album, spanning genres from black metal to classical and folk. The Progressive elements which have since become more prevelent in Opeth's albums really came to the fore in this release from 1999. There also feature nuances of a far "jazzier" Opeth than seen previously (or subsequently, though I await my first listening of "Watershed" the album due for release in mid-2008 with baited breath). As with other albums by the band "StillLife" has a concept, one I won't spoil for new listeners by revealing, other than to say it has a tragic overtone, told with Shakespearean stylings. "Serenity Painted Death", coming towards the albums climax, is pivotal in the tale, and is also, in my opinion, the best track on the album, and I'd go so far... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: The kick-ass metal riffs, the acoustic sections and how they link with the heavy sections, the vocals
Disadvantages: A lot of riffs are the same tempo, some songs get a bit boring after a while

...versatile Opeth are. Moonlapse Vertigo is a very good track, but sounds better on the first listen. The Face Of Melinda is one of the standout tracks on the album. The build-up is brilliant and you can really feel the emotion put into this song. Serenity Painted Death brings things back up to classic heavy Opeth and is an excellent headbanger. Just when you thought it couldn't get any heavier, White CLuster proves you wrong. Saving the heaviest track till last, this is one of my favourites and has a really good headbanging riff in the middle. The only downside to this album, and Opeth in general, is that you kind of run out of ideas as you further your career. A lot of Opeth songs are in 6/8 and at the same speed, but Still Life is a brilliant album and I reccomend it to potential Opeth buyers.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful