Opeth - Heritage (2011)
 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--2MziqaLm-...2BHeritage.gif

1. Heritage - 2:05
2. The Devil's Orchard - 6:40
3. I Feel the Dark - 6:40
4. Slither - 4:03
5. Nepenthe - 5:40
6. Häxprocess - 6:57
7. Famine - 8:32
8. The Lines in My Hand - 3:49
9. Folklore - 8:19
10. Marrow of the Earth - 4:19

Despite a slew of beautiful melodies and guitar-work in traditional Opeth fashion, there are some moments that really make you scratch your head. A couple jarring transitions here and some weird instrument choices there (the flute, though only present in one song and not unwelcome, seemed like a spontaneous addition that simply did not jive with the rest of the album) make this a great modern progressive rock album, though perhaps one of the weaker titles in Opeth's catalog. I voted good

I didn't cast a vote yet, as my verdict is still out; however, the album is not what I was expecting at all. I was hoping for a "Ghost Reveries" with all clean vocals.

Heritage sounds like a completely different band. They went full on progressive for this one, which I was excited about, but to me, it's not making much of an impact thus far.

After some more repeated listens to this album, I have decided to view it as a debut from a new band and erase all prior comparisons to Opeth albums. By doing this, I'm liking the album more, and as a debut album-- it's not a bad first effort. This might seem like a strange a approach, but in reality-- the music on "Heritage" has nothing to do with previous Opeth music, so it really is like a debut... just a debut album from an existing band.

I saw Opeth with Katatonia last night. Having listened to the album, I thought this was a great new progressive album, and as much as I hate to see the growls go, they took these songs and played the **** out of them. I had a conversation with a friend over whether or not their record label had anything to do with their sound change, and it just so happens that the ******* who asks "What happened to the metal?" was at the show last night, and Mikael put the bitch his place, "We've been playing metal for 20 years how about you?".
I also thought the [sl]O[w]peth chant was pretty funny.

Very Good Album. 8.2/10

I was never much on Opeth, but I really, really liked this. At least in comparison to whichever other album I heard...

I really like it. I don't care that the growls and the metal period was neglected for this record, I think it really suits them. I don't think it's as good as Damnation but it's solid. I caught them on the tour for this record and, bar catching a part of their brief set at an open festival at roughly midday about 7 or 8 years ago, it was the first time I've seen them live. They played a fair bit of this record and clean tracks from their back catalogue and it was great, especially Credence which I wont forget for a long time.

Of course I'd like to see them again and see them play their heavier stuff but, just like this record, that can wait. I would be very surprised if their next record isn't heavy.

^ Don't be so sure, I've read several times that Mikael is either having difficulties with, or no longer wants to use, his growling voice. I suppose being in death metal for 20 years would do that to anyone so I definitely don't blame him. But I'm tempted to think Opeth's dirty days are over and that the band's lifespan itself is nearing an end.

That could be a reason why he left Bloodbath abruptly (again). Oh well, maybe Peter Tagtgren could come back.

I don't know if we'll see the end of Opeth though, but I would definitely not be surprised if their album releases become less frequent as the members wish to start other projects. Not that it's a bad thing though, I mean there's been multiple bands coming forward and doing what Opeth were doing ten years ago, so we still have lots of progressive death metal to go around.

not really an opeth fan