Damnation

The Damnation/Deliverance set are a must own for Opeth fans, so glad I got them on vinyl! I am a hug vinyl fan, so if you are too grab these if you can find them!

"Damnation" is a very controversial album. Opeth, a band known for brutal death metal incorporating progressive acoustic riffs, released "Damnation" alongside "Deliverance". While "Deliverance" is an album that follows in the steps of its predecessors, the completely acoustic "Damnation" came as a bit of a shock for many fans, some of which got very angry at the band, telling them they sold out.

In my opinion, however, this album was a right thing to do. In previous works from Opeth we notice the influence of progressive rock bands from the 70's such as Camel, and it made sense for them to do this album, which they did magestically.

Again, Martin Lopez's drums are beyond anything you would expect from a "metal" drummer, incorporating A LOT of jazz into his playing, making it much open, rather than tight as most rock/metal drummers out there. The clean vocals from Mikael are immaculate, and the guitars and bass have such musicality behind them that I'm sure this album will be considered as a milestone even by people from outside the metal scene.

Why did I chose vinyl? Well, firstly, because this is a collector's edition gate-fold double LP, and for under $20, you are getting A LOT for your money as far as investment. However, it's the SOUND that captivates me. Lacking the excessive tightness of a CD, which has to be compressed in certain frequencies, vinyl just makes for a better listening experience in the right equipment. The subtleties of each instrument are much more apparent, specially those of the drum bodies (the Toms, in particular).

All in all, a solid investment, and a delightful record to be listened to carefully, and to be appreciated in all its glory

This is not a metal album by any stretch of the imagination, nor is it terribly progressive. I heard Damnation before reading any reviews and thought it was a mild, pleasant listen, but no big deal. Something to have burbling in the background while doing other work. Then I read reviews of this album I was very suprised that it was so highly praised. I'm sorry but its just not that compelling. To be fair it does has a few interesting ideas and melodies but for the most part sounds much like Porcupine Tree or Caravan at their most noodly. The songs are long, sometimes meandering and don't take the listener on much of a dynamic ride. In other words Damnation is good but somewhat bland.

Perhaps so much praise has been heaped upon Damnation because of its difference to Opeths other work? Its a ballsy move for a band to put out an album that departs from the sound its known for, thats fine. Unfortunately Damnation just isn't the masterpiece the fans seem so deperately to want it to be.