Opeth

Ghost Reveries
Roadrunner Records

10/10: New label, same ol' classic stuff.

8 Tracks, 66:00

For all of the bellyaching that arose quickly after the official announcement of Opeth's signing with Roadrunner Records, one may think that the impending apocalypse will be unleashed on August 30. "Opeth is going metalcore! Nickelback is headlining an Opeth tour!" You have heard all of the ridiculous rumors and worries, and all of the naysayers harping on the superficial aspects of the business deal.

Well, I don't claim to know much about label negotiations, but I do know that this is an Opeth album through and through. It is sure to even appease the elitist types with more material in common with Still Life and prior than anything from the Steven Wilson era. Gone are the super-clean Beatle-esque vocal harmonies, and returning are the more beloved and haunting vocal lines that Mikael Akerfeldt employed so wickedly on songs in the past. His death vocals? As powerful as ever. Gotta love the opener The Baying of the Hounds starting off this monstrous effort. And almost assuredly, you've heard the "single" The Grand Conjuring. That only scratches the surface of what awaits the listener upon their first listen.

Here's hoping that this is the beginning of great things in the Opeth camp on Roadrunner. Because as long as they do what they do best, efforts like this will make both parties extremely happy.

Chris Burnham