SethFWF
At Fates Hands http://www.fat
"Rattle your God damn head!"
Posts: 1,405
|
Post by SethFWF on Nov 21, 2004 17:29:44 GMT -5
Some thoughts on the "Lamentations" video. Of course I like the whole gothic Sabbath look. Simple, no frills. I like the little change up they did for "Closure" in the middle. All the songs were done very well...I think my only complaint may be that they sped up the end of "Deliverance" a little and shortened it also. I guess I envisioned that being a live masterpiece, but they kept the lights up and it didn't seem as ominous as I expected. Very small complaint...other than that it was great. Of course a longer heavy set would be cool too, but that's for another video.
The documentary was real good...very in depth. I'm glad they showed the interaction with Steven Wilson. Was kinda like watching Rush work with Paul McCartney and Roger Waters...at least to me it seemed like some great music minds coming together. Really cool seeing all the studio work...each member getting equal time to show their stuff.
Mikael's interviews were good and watching him sing both styles was cool. Very well made "rockumentary". Can't wait to see what they do next since they made some comments about how extreme and different it will be.
Seth
|
|
SethFWF
At Fates Hands http://www.fat
"Rattle your God damn head!"
Posts: 1,405
|
Post by SethFWF on Nov 24, 2004 18:40:23 GMT -5
Much to my surprise, I'm liking "Orchid" better than "My Arms, Your Hearse" and "Still Life". At least so far anyway. I've given all 3 a good several listens, but that could still change.
It seems they did a lot of different things on "Orchid" that I didn't hear again on their other albums. I was surprised that the production was so good, expected from what I read that it would be a bit more raw. Some of the different sound effects, the acoustics with driving double bass in the background, and the medieval violoin(or synth) on "The Apostle in Triumph"(although they did do that again on "Black Rose Immortal") are the things that set it apart IMO. Plus the beautiful "Silhouette" piano piece. Mikaels growls are a bit more shouted than sung...very small complaint, I like his later vocals a little better.
I guess I'm having a little trouble with MAYH and SL because it seems some of the songs start out strong, but aren't as good start to finish. There are of course many exceptions..."April Ethereal", "When", and "Credence" from MAYH are great throughout. The rest have their moments, but I can't seem to get into them the way I have pretty much everything else they've done. But SL so far has the same problem for me, although I think as a whole it's growing on me more. "Godhead's Lament", "Benighted", "Moonlapse Vertigo", and "White Cluster" are solid throughout.
Of course sometimes these are the albums I end up liking most, but so far "Orchid" is up there with "Morningrise" and the 3 later albums for me. I'll give it a little more time before I cast my vote...however I look at it, these guys are awesome.
Seth
|
|
|
Post by marvthemailman on Nov 24, 2004 19:12:25 GMT -5
I think you may be suffering from Opeth overload, like you said the ones that take longer are usually the better ones. I found this to be very true with Opeth. I think you should take a break from Opeth and revisit each cd later. You just got too much at once
|
|
SethFWF
At Fates Hands http://www.fat
"Rattle your God damn head!"
Posts: 1,405
|
Post by SethFWF on Nov 25, 2004 8:55:23 GMT -5
I think you may be suffering from Opeth overload, like you said the ones that take longer are usually the better ones. I found this to be very true with Opeth. I think you should take a break from Opeth and revisit each cd later. You just got too much at once I don't know, that could be true...but I usually don't burn out on a band. Sometimes an album, but not really new albums from the same band. I'm really liking "Orchid"...but I think because it really is quite different from the others. So maybe the others will take more time and I have overloaded a little on that style. Have a great Thanksgiving.... ;D Seth
|
|
SethFWF
At Fates Hands http://www.fat
"Rattle your God damn head!"
Posts: 1,405
|
Post by SethFWF on Nov 28, 2004 11:24:06 GMT -5
Check out Mikael...dudes branchin' out and representin' for the peeps...LOL! Seth
|
|
BenMech
At Fates Hands http://www.fat
The One You Warned Me Of
Posts: 1,470
|
Post by BenMech on Nov 30, 2004 14:29:05 GMT -5
Check out Mikael...dudes branchin' out and representin' for the peeps...LOL! Seth You are SOOOOOO banned for that
|
|
SethFWF
At Fates Hands http://www.fat
"Rattle your God damn head!"
Posts: 1,405
|
Post by SethFWF on Nov 30, 2004 16:38:48 GMT -5
LMAO!! That is a funny pic though, 'aint it? Wonder how much crap he's gotten for that... Seth
|
|
SethFWF
At Fates Hands http://www.fat
"Rattle your God damn head!"
Posts: 1,405
|
Post by SethFWF on Dec 2, 2004 18:28:18 GMT -5
I'm going to be controversial, go with you Ben, and go with "Morningrise". I don't agree that they went downhill after "Still Life" however. But I see what you're saying to a degree. After listening to all quite closely, "Morningrise" has something that always brings me back for a listen more often. "Advent" is still about my favorite song from them, and even with "The Night and..." not being one that's really ever grown on me...the rest is incredible.
The only downsides at all would be that MAs clean voice hadn't developed all that well yet...compared to the later stuff where he was much more fluid and had more range. And I really like Lopez's style on the drums, but Anders(I believe) had a similar style and some great rhythms, fills, and transitions.
You may say Marv that I picked it because of the review from Fox saying that it had similarities to APSOG. I still don't hear it other than the multitude of time changes. The guitar tone, the Maiden style riffs, and the riffs themselves are awesome as well as the writing overall.
I still love all the other albums, MAYH and "Still Life" are still growing on me...but at this point I still like "Orchid" a bit better than those.
Seth
|
|
|
Post by marvthemailman on Dec 2, 2004 19:09:55 GMT -5
I'm going to be controversial, go with you Ben, and go with "Morningrise". I don't agree that they went downhill after "Still Life" however. But I see what you're saying to a degree. After listening to all quite closely, "Morningrise" has something that always brings me back for a listen more often. "Advent" is still about my favorite song from them, and even with "The Night and..." not being one that's really ever grown on me...the rest is incredible. The only downsides at all would be that MAs clean voice hadn't developed all that well yet...compared to the later stuff where he was much more fluid and had more range. And I really like Lopez's style on the drums, but Anders(I believe) had a similar style and some great rhythms, fills, and transitions. You may say Marv that I picked it because of the review from Fox saying that it had similarities to APSOG. I still don't hear it other than the multitude of time changes. The guitar tone, the Maiden style riffs, and the riffs themselves are awesome as well as the writing overall. I still love all the other albums, MAYH and "Still Life" are still growing on me...but at this point I still like "Orchid" a bit better than those. Seth I never heard it either, I do see how it was their most 'mellow' before 'damnation', more acoustic parts in it than any of the others, IMO
|
|
SethFWF
At Fates Hands http://www.fat
"Rattle your God damn head!"
Posts: 1,405
|
Post by SethFWF on Feb 5, 2005 10:55:15 GMT -5
It's taken quite awhile and much diligence, but "My Arms, Your Hearse" is finally starting to hit me. Don't know why that and "Still Life" just haven't done it for me as much or as fast as everything else they've done. Of course there are some amazing songs or part of songs on each album, but I'm starting to appreciate MAYH as a whole. A lot of it's draw is within the story and lyrics. Reading an interview from MA descibing the story helps put it all together. "April Ethereal" is incredible, always liked the riffs from the get go. The mellow part in "When" is some of their best slower stuff. Really liking "Demon of the Fall" more and the rest were the ones that were harder to get into. But it's all coming together finally.... Seth
|
|
Shark Black
At Fates Hands http://www.fat
AKA Raiderblack
Posts: 1,352
|
Post by Shark Black on Feb 5, 2005 21:37:47 GMT -5
Trip Out, I think Still Life is my favorite Opeth. It just kicks so musch Arse!!
: Murderdolls: 197666
|
|
|
Post by Gonzalo el Silenciado on Feb 6, 2005 2:00:00 GMT -5
Deliverance is ghastly bad. That's worse than that Motley Crue trip I had last month. I hereby revoke your 'metal' title. Weenie. I didn't care for Deliverance at first, but I love it now. Likewise for every other Opeth album, except the first two, which I don't like at all. That photo of Mike is awesome.
|
|
SethFWF
At Fates Hands http://www.fat
"Rattle your God damn head!"
Posts: 1,405
|
Post by SethFWF on Feb 6, 2005 10:33:59 GMT -5
Don't care for their first 2 ha? I can understand "Orchid", but I really like the diversity and the rawness. "Morningrise" is my favorite from all of them, but then I tend to like some of the newer ones after that. MAYH, and "Still Life" have been much harder for me despite how many great parts of songs there are. Just seems they haven't been able to get my attention beginning to end, but MAYH is finally working for me. "Still Life" needs more time, or it may not happen...still love "Godheads Lament", and "White Cluster" though.... Seth
|
|
|
Post by Gonzalo el Silenciado on Feb 6, 2005 20:05:30 GMT -5
It's pretty clear that their style hadn't developed on the first two CDs, but they were clearly onto something. I find the harmonies REALLY annoying, the repetion boring (as opposed to hypnotic, as on later releases), and the songs just don't do anything for me. They don't go anywhere. The bassist on the second album sounded out of place. Mike's vocals, both clean and growly, just weren't there yet. I think it all came together on MAYH, when they ditched the harmonies, the needlessly long passages, and the high-pitched screaching. Instead, they focused on strong songs, evil riffs (instead of harmonized melodies), and texture. It also helps that Mike's voices had really developed. MAYH is the first great Opeth album. Still Life was my first Opeth album, and it's taken me the longest to get into. But every time I put it in, I wonder why it took me so long. That's when they established their sound, I think. That's also the first CD with both Lopez and Mendez, who had played together in many bands in Uruguay. They make a great rhythm section.
: pos - be
|
|
SethFWF
At Fates Hands http://www.fat
"Rattle your God damn head!"
Posts: 1,405
|
Post by SethFWF on Feb 7, 2005 6:55:45 GMT -5
You have to at least admit that "To Bid You Farewell" is one of their most hypnotic songs, while the melodies do repeat quite a bit...they still sound awesome. That's one that I put on repeat sometimes for a couple rounds when in the mood. I hear what you're saying about the old albums, but the riffing and dual guitar melody style are part of what I like so much. Agree about MAs voice and how much tighter they got with the Martins. I will say though that I really like Anders style on the drums from the first 2, Lopez has a very simlar style but with more power and diversity when it comes to the slower/jazzy parts. Plus better timing of course... Seth
|
|