Opeth - Watershed (Roadrunner Records/2008)
The only other releases that I've heard from Opeth are "Blackwater Park" and "My Arms, Your Hearse." I suppose that I was looking for something similar to those albums but "Watershed" isn't a complete waste. Opeth definitely fits the category of extreme progressive metal! "Watershed" has 7 tracks which clocks in at about 55 minutes in length.
In terms of the music, there is really so much variety that it's difficult to grasp everything completely. A combination of guitars, keyboards, clean vox, hoarse vox, a female vocalist (on track one only), etc. The tempos are all over the place. The first song "Coil" features acoustic guitars, clean vocals and also the guest female vocalist.
The overall atmosphere of the songs are filled with sorrow and darkness. Each track with the exception of the first one are flooded with all sorts of guitar work. The solos are good and are featured on only a few songs. The music on every track captivates the listener because of the really catchy riffs. This is a milder and more mainstream Opeth release based on what I've heard from their past recordings.
At first, I didn't care for the album at all. I thought that it was complete nonsense musically. But after several spins, I grew to really love it. It's so melodic to the point to where I've never heard anything like it. I mean I love melodic metal and after hearing this release I felt aghast to it's uniqueness and depth.
The lyrical content focuses mostly on broken relationships. They are dark and dismal. They also deal with depression and death. If you're looking for an metal album that has variety, is melancholic and depressing then "Watershed" is definitely worth picking up!
Rate: 8.5/10.