Blackwater Park
by Opeth

Some good instrumentals and I enjoyed parts of the album but I'm sorry I just don't like the death growls. They're like nails on chalkboard to me. I can accept Serj Tankian doing 5 seconds of it in a System of a Down song but the vocals on this just really grated me. Especially when the guy has a good normal voice. Bleak is a decent song though I will say and pretty sure that's the song that has the fewest growls in it.

One of the best progressive metal albums ever released that never slows, keeping you enthralled for the full run time. Every song on here is a star in its own right with each track feeling unique and just packed full of energy. The aggression and power leaps at you from the album and it literally feels like it is engulfing you the whole time. It is very hard not to get completely lost in the music on this album. Instrumentally, it is a marvel with every member of the group giving stellar performances that is tough to even find a tiny fault with. The guitar steals the show though with those killer solos that feel so electric and commanding. Even the slower moments on the acoustic guitar are so well executed that they slot into the album brilliantly and feel like a perfect tension builder for the heavier moments. The vocals on here are fantastic as well and are very intelligently used with the softer side perfectly complimenting the dominant growls we get on other tracks. It makes for a nice contrast that feels so rewarding when they switch between the two. Like I said earlier, there are no weak tracks on here but just like the user mrmcrook said The Funeral Portrait is a personal favourite of mine that sounds even more phenomenal through headphones. Overall, this is not only right up there with the best prog metal records of all time it is right up there with the greatest albums ever made and it truly deserves its place amongst the elite.

I wish I would like this more because the vocals are awesome, both the melodic and the growl parts and has a great sound but the song-writting itself is seriously lacking, except The Drappery Falls which is just amazing.

From VictorVale 06/23/2021 17:44 | #270961

Metal interessantíssimo, lindas alternâncias para os momentos calmos, mas o brilho está quando pesa as guitarras.

Great album, there is no song that's boring. A musical journey and one of the best prog metal albums of all time.

Highlights:
- The Leper Affinity
- The Drapery Falls
- Blackwater Park.

An ultimate metal album. The meshing of classic, death, prog into the blending pot has resulted in the sublime. Master musicians all round. Person favorite - 'The Funeral Portrait'.

From Grouse 03/02/2019 16:44 | #232873

Amazing album filled with a wonderfull mix of prog rock and death metal.

From Lachapelle 08/12/2018 01:26 | #219591

Overall Rank: 666..... :D

Probably the best prog metal album ever. Even if you don't like death growls there is still a ton to hear.

From LedZep 04/23/2018 20:51 | #213510

Lol 5/100, that guy hasn't listened to album. But really, it's easy to miss the beauty if you just look at the surface and think "death metal growls aren't for me".