Opeth – Watershed, Review #1

Russell · April 9th, 2008, 03:54 AM

Opeth – Watershed
Roadrunner Records – 3 June 2008
By Russell Garwood

“It’s our new record, we think it’s pretty good. We hope you’ll like it.”

So Mikael Akerfeldt introduces Watershed, surrounded by a 5.1 system in a very comfortable studio. The first spin of a new Opeth album doesn’t get much better than this, as we settle in for an hour of new Opethian goodness. Having only had three days to absorb the new record, a more comprehensive review from UM will be coming in the fullness of time, but until that date we thought some initial impressions would be appreciated.

Halfway into opener ’Coil’ it becomes apparent that with Watershed the Swedes have taken a few more risks. Careful use of female vocals attests to that, and as the album progresses it becomes clear that with two debutantes in the lineup, the band have also introduced other new elements to the sound. This is coupled with a distinct sense of fun to the proceedings – in one section, tuned arpeggios segue into detuned guitars, into Mikael cracking up, and then into a heavily processed laugh, leading into the next track - all a bit different to the more melodious and less playful transitions we’ve heard from the band before. Also notable is increased use of disharmony: elements of instrumental noise creep in, coupled with (what feels to me) an almost cinematic, horror-inspired feel to the substantial number of eerie refrains throughout. Augmented by reversed vocals, quiet whispers in the background, and unusual effects, this feels like something just a little new from the melodeath veterans. The addition of Per to the lineup has more impact than the band’s previous outing, with extensive use of orchestrations, and an unabashed presence of Moogs throughout.

That is not to say all the elements we have come to expect from an Opeth album are not present – there are quiet moments aplenty, while the heavy sections are just as abrasive as ever, showing that the band has not mellowed with age. More refrained track 'Burden' shows plenty of prog leanings, and there seems to be a larger palette of textures and styles influencing the melodic portions. As is to be expected instrumental performances are tighter than a mosquito’s ass stretched over a rain barrel, and the new members fill their predecessors’ shoes with few problems. The production is excellent, the 5.1 mix especially impressive, with some real attention to detail. All this makes for a multifaceted record, which will no doubt take some time to absorb. How does it compare to the band’s previous releases? I feel it’s too early to tell, but Watershed is certainly a solid entry into Opeth's back catalogue, and it will provide some solid listening for the next few months. A more extensive review from UM will be up in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, more thoughts as they come…

Official Opeth Website
Official Opeth Myspace
Official Roadrunner Website

Scourge of Malice · April 9th, 2008, 12:44 PM

this album just sounds more and more interesting every time i read something about it

TheWyvern · April 10th, 2008, 05:56 AM

I welcome a more experimental Opeth. It's kinda like...you know when a football team has won everything but their players have to be replaced and the team restructured due to old age etc. Well, it's the same with bands. If you are not evolving then your are gonna become irrelevant, and it would be disappointing for a band like Opeth to become irrelevant, considering the trails they have blazed in the past. Of course, going back to the football analogy, when a team is restructuring, there is a settling in period where the team needs to mesh well. I believe this album falls in Opeth's current restructuring period, which, even if bad decisions have been made, can never be dull.

ramses · April 10th, 2008, 11:22 AM

Yep, look at what Yes did in the 80's. Brought in Trevor Rabin, and some guys from past albums, with newer ideas/newer sound. I love the 70's stuff they did, but as a teen in the 80's the heavier sound spoke to me. The same with Opeth....Mikael, and the new guys are going to bounce ideas around, coming from different sounding groups. But, the positive of having new members is it's going to re-invigorate Mikael and Martin and give them even more to play around with.

TheTechnogoat · April 10th, 2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWyvern

I welcome a more experimental Opeth. It's kinda like...you know when a football team has won everything but their players have to be replaced and the team restructured due to old age etc. Well, it's the same with bands. If you are not evolving then your are gonna become irrelevant, and it would be disappointing for a band like Opeth to become irrelevant, considering the trails they have blazed in the past. Of course, going back to the football analogy, when a team is restructuring, there is a settling in period where the team needs to mesh well. I believe this album falls in Opeth's current restructuring period, which, even if bad decisions have been made, can never be dull.

get back on the staff damnit!

SWAT · April 10th, 2008, 08:18 PM

I am very eagerly awaiting this album, I wasn't the biggest fan of GR. So I hope this new album will kick ass!

BloodSword · April 12th, 2008, 01:26 PM

Anticipation is "high" for this. Have been looking forward to this since I first heard about it.

_eva_ · April 13th, 2008, 08:47 AM

I am also looking forward to this album. Still need some patience, though.

hibernal_dream · April 14th, 2008, 04:59 PM

How can you review an album after only one listen? I don't care if UM is trying to cash in from being the first to review this, no one is qualified for such a task.

Tom Strutton · April 14th, 2008, 05:53 PM

Hibernal Dream, if you bothered to read the first paragraph of the review you would notice that it is only intended as a 'first impressions' review.. a precursor to a more in-depth review soon to come. I think this is perfectly acceptable and Russell has done, as always, a great job.

Russell · April 14th, 2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hibernal_dream

How can you review an album after only one listen? I don't care if UM is trying to cash in from being the first to review this, no one is qualified for such a task.

It was written after three days and over 10 listens. Only the first one was in 5.1 in the studio, the rest in stereo from the promo. That's enough to form an opinion on the music which isn't going to change drastically (indeed I've since listened a lot more, and it hasn't). The only thing I can't (and didn't) comment on is the album's longevity. Additionally, the aim of the review was not to 'cash-in' as you so tactfully put it, but provide a useful indicator for fans of the band wondering what Watershed is going to be like. At the moment there aren't a vast number of people in the position to provide this so I thought I'd put the effort in and give it a shot.

the_drip · April 14th, 2008, 07:03 PM

you did a fine job Russell.

Mathiäs · April 14th, 2008, 11:07 PM

Rus, how does this compare with GR (which was fantastic)?

hibernal_dream · April 15th, 2008, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell

It was written after three days and over 10 listens. Only the first one was in 5.1 in the studio, the rest in stereo from the promo. That's enough to form an opinion on the music which isn't going to change drastically (indeed I've since listened a lot more, and it hasn't). The only thing I can't (and didn't) comment on is the album's longevity. Additionally, the aim of the review was not to 'cash-in' as you so tactfully put it, but provide a useful indicator for fans of the band wondering what Watershed is going to be like. At the moment there aren't a vast number of people in the position to provide this so I thought I'd put the effort in and give it a shot.

That's good to hear. You made it appear in the review as though you had only one listen.

TheWyvern · April 15th, 2008, 04:30 PM

Hey guys I found the following at www.playametal.com:

In a bid to crack America, Swedish prog-metallers Opeth have taken the surprising step of 'Hollywoodifying' their songs for a nation where 46% still think the band is a fragrance recently released by P Diddy.

In an exclusive interview to hollywoodmetal.com, lead singer Mikael Akerfeldt spoke recently of his new record labels insistance that he wash at least once a day AND condition his hair 'to achieve the full bodied look that the girls go crazy over'.

here he elaborates on the decision to change the name of some of his most beloved songs:

'well, you know, i had just finished recording Watershed...and i was talking to Jens about how we could really hit America hard. And we had been drinking some of this fucking great wine from Argentina and he said, as a joke 'well, just change the names of the songs' And i was like 'what the fuck are you talking about?' but it kinda made some wierd sense...you know? so i sat down with my notebook and drafted a few names...and soon we were going through the whole back catalogue and making the names as lowbrow as possible to achieve maximum demographic penetration in America's agressively mediocre music climate.'

So, without further ado, we present to you a few sneak previews of the new list of songs titles, with a dash of street-talkin' hollywood:

Facelift of Melinda
B-NTD
'Dis Bleak
The Master's Bitch
Muthafuckin' Demonz in the Muthafuckin' Waterfallz (remixed by JZ)
Dark Shit for November
Playa got a 'Weakness' (for ho's) feat. Eve and Lil' Kim.

Stormwatch · April 17th, 2008, 01:23 PM

Hilarious.

IntoPhagist · April 21st, 2008, 12:42 PM

Muthafuckin' Demonz in the Muthafuckin' Waterfallz (remixed by JZ)

LOLOLOLOLOL!

Wander · April 22nd, 2008, 03:25 PM

Awesome! They would have become a hit right away if they had done that in first place!

June 9th, 2008, 09:29 PM

this one gets better every time i listen to it. can't really say i have any complaints. it's new and different...but still the same band.

Mathiäs · June 11th, 2008, 12:40 AM

This album is fucking great. There could have been more heavy songs though

ramses · June 11th, 2008, 01:07 AM

Even though MAYH and Morningrise are still my top 2 overall, and I have yet to determine where Watershed stands with the other 8 albums,(I already think it'll end up in my top 5) I absolutely love the more apparent 70's prog vibe to this album. It makes me fondly think of a handful of 70's prog bands such as Lizard era King Crimson (Cirkus) Photos of Ghosts era PFM, and of course Camel among others.

gatedropper · June 11th, 2008, 08:57 PM

If you don't like it, you don't like Opeth. Plain and Simple.

LouMinotti · July 2nd, 2008, 09:55 PM

brilliant.

i think I have listened to this whole album over 100 times since it was "leaked" and I can honestly say it is probably the finest all around album I have ever heard. There is something in this album for everyone.

I am 46 years old, I have been consuming music since I was five.

I can't agree with Mikael when he says at performances, "Hi, we are Opeth, we are a death metal band". Try describing this artist to any lay person and "death metal" does not begin to describe them -- although certain lyrics and harsh vocals are consistent in each album with the exception of damnation I suppose-- but Mikael's repertoire has elements of so many different genre's that to say Mikael composes "death metal" is like saying Mozart wrote operas or MichaelAngelo painted church ceilings or Warren Buffet plays stocks or Secretariat ran around racetracks.
I compare Opeth to the greatest of the great because they --he, Mikael--is so outside the box of this generation's talent, and so extraordinary that I believe it will take another generation before his talent is fully recognized and appreciated by the mainstream critics of the day.

I read in another thread that Mikael is arrogant according to his postings and having seen Opeth 4 times now, I can attest that I have observed an air of superiority when he addresses the crowds that attend. But that is not an entirely accurate summary of his disposition. My sons and I had the pleasure of meeting Opeth privately after their show here in DC last May and the entire band was nothing other than patient and friendly and gracious to us. I don't think I am entirely patient or gracious or friendly to anyone, not even my own kin, after working days on end, let alone strangers in a strange town. The gift of music that provides pleasure to the senses year in and year out is more than anyone should expect of any artist. Amadeus was arrogant as well, mostly because few appreciated his brilliance, and those that did wished him dead. heh. Mikael, be whatever you want; just keep sharing your gifts with us.

But back to Watershed: brilliant. so much melody, I can barely stand it.

Hessian peel is probably my favorite track, emotionally, visually, musically rich. Heartbreaking lyrics, but I am a devoted mother and close to having an empty nest, so this song saddens me in the first movement. Makes me cry. And then the chord change at the end inspires aggression and that is a basic metal rule: arouse aggression in the listener. well done.

Coil is beautiful. Female singer reminds me of Jewel. Subtle. Feminine. Lovely voice. Excellent call.

Hex Omega. Classic Opeth. True to form, only better.

Lotus Eater. love it, has this total retro feel, head banging, harsh vocals best to date. typical opeth structure and Mikael really expands on his clean vocal range which was my first thought after listening to the entire album for the first time. And I have to say here that Mikael is the master of translating DOOM to music. You'd think there are only so many ways to do doom, and Mikael just comes up with more. And then the jazzy riff towards the end and I am left breathless. It's almost not fair. It is like he may not leave anything left for other musicians to compose. I have to imagine that Opeth's contemporaries secretly hate him. Who can compete with this band?

Porcelain Heart: the instrumentation alone carries the song. Ax is perfect. His unconventional section says to me "I am not Martin Lopez, I am Martin Axenrot. Please adjust your settings. Thank you". Speaking as one who thought Lopez was an essential element to Opeth's style, I can say that it did take some time to "adjust". But I can now say in all honesty that Ax is the superior drummer here precisely because he is so bold and artistic. Unconventional is exactly the spice that makes this album so seasoned.

Words I use to describe Burden: Melancholy. Summer. The blues. mischievous. Elton John. (????!!!! This song has an early Elton John feel to it, am I wrong here?) Per's solo is exceptional, Fredrik is excellent--what great fortune to have him able to join this band, the chemistry is absolutely there. Mikael, be good to this man, he is unquestionably a huge asset, a great talent in his own right. The alternating solos are a pleasure to listen to, and the acoustic blues at the end turns wicked. very original -- huge smile upon hearing this.

Heir Apparent. This song is the equivalent of an orgasm to any metal guitarist or drummer. My oldest son is a drummer. My middle son is a guitarist. I know what I speak of. This song is beyond exciting.

To summarize, I have only praise for this album...although maybe one complaint: it is too short, I wish there was more. But as they say, always leave them wanting more. :-)

hellmaster666 · July 16th, 2008, 02:35 PM

September 1st, 2008, 10:15 AM

Its opeth, its awesome, theres no question here that Mikael has warped this album a little to follow his musical curiousity, but i love it. But in all honesty, as not simply a guitarist but as a musician, i cant see how people are so blown away from Watershed when im just as amazed by hearing Still Life or Blackwater Park or pretty much any other opeth album.

Hate to take it to individual song comparisons, but what makes an Opeth song one of the best (for me) is a defining moment in the song that absolutely leaves u breatheless, like the main solo in Deliverance where the rest of the music cuts out and the solo finishes off dropping into another key and accoustic guitar entres to fill the void, or that insanely chunky riff in serenety painted death (you know what im talking about) or the first solo in Godheads lement b4 the lyrics "searching my way to perplection" etc, its nothing short of FKN AMAZING, watershed had an awesome sound, and feel, what i think it was missing was defining moments that left me breathless, hey, my 2c