Pretty sure I'm the only here who digs the hell out of this band, but just in case I'm not, the new album will be out in June. To anyone curious, Opeth are simply amazing. They've been around quite a while now (they're from Sweden) and are fairly popular after years of struggle. Think Pink Floyd meets a Death Metal band and there you have it. I can't even begin to describe how brilliant their last album was (2005's "Ghost Reveries" which actually cracked the US Top 40 somehow). Many of the songs are long and atmospheric, then explode into growling Death Metal before going back to what sounds like vintage Yes, King Crimson or Pink Floyd with mellotrons, acoustic guitars and other treatments. The musicianship and writing are top notch.
If you're a fan of Porcupine Tree, you'd very much be into this (in fact, Steven Wilson has produced this band before). I implore you to give this a try if you're daring! I'd love to hear the covers they recorded (Robin Trower and Alice In Chains-wow!), and I wouldn't put it past Roadrunner to issue a "special edition" later with these tracks. Anyway, enough of my babble, here's the scoop from Blabbermouth.net:
OPETH has set "Watershed" as the title of the band's forthcoming album, due out on June 3 via Roadrunner Records (one day earlier internationally). The CD, recorded in the band's native Sweden and produced by frontman/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt and Jens Bogren, is a masterwork that follows the time-honored OPETH tradition; its modern yet timeless, progressive yet paying homage to the sounds of classic rock.
"Watershed" track listing:
01. Coil
02. Heir Apparent
03. The Lotus Eater
04. Burden
05. Porcelain Heart
06. Hessian Peel
07. Hex Omega
All the songs were written by Åkerfeldt apart from "Porcelain Heart", which was co-written with new guitarist Fredrik Åkesson. One additonal track, "Derelict Herds", was also recorded and this was written by Mikael Åkerfeldt and Per Wiberg. On top of this, three cover songs were recorded. "Bridge of Sighs" from ROBIN TROWER's 1974 LP of the same title, "Den Ständiga Resan" (sung in Swedish) by MARIE FREDRIKSSON as well as the classic ALICE IN CHAINS song "Would?"
The album was recorded at Fascination Street studios during November 1 and December 13. Some additional recording was done between January 3 and January 7.
Says Mikael Åkerfeldt: "I've worked so hard with these songs for quite some time now, I've listened to 'em a zillion times. I don't hate them just yet! The album sounds great sonically and I think I can hear us evolving as the record plays on. It is taking us somewhere musically and I don't know where. It's very exciting to say the least! I can't remember having enjoyed a recording this much ever before."
The cover was (as usual) designed by Travis Smith in co-operation with Åkerfeldt.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018CWWFK/?tag=imwan-20
