OPETH — Blackwater Park (review)

Album · 2001 · Progressive Metal

4/5 · 2015-07-16
FMOTP

The greatest thing about Metal Music Archive and other sites in the MAC network is that it allows us access to music we might not normally hear. I live in the city of Pekin, Illinois, an even more conservative neighbor of the relatively conservative city of Peoria. Therefore, the radio choices are limited. Tool is probably the only non-commercial metal band that you would hear on a regular basis. The point is that sister site Prog Archives is probably the only way that I would have found Opeth's music. In fact, I think I owe a debt to the moderators of PA and MMA. I've found a lot of really great music here, and so I have listened to several of Opeth's releases.

I like a lot of death or black metal-influenced bands, although I wouldn't call myself a hardcore fan of those subgenres. I love Enslaved, My Dying Bride, and Leprous, for instance. Considering the generally high opinion of Opeth expressed on Prog Archives, I wish I liked them more. I'm just not entirely convinced by their take on black metal and progressive rock. I did pick the Blackwater Park album because it's considered by many to be the band's crowning achievement. For my money, the best tracks on Blackwater Park are "Bleak", "Harvest", "The Leper Affinity", and the title track.

The rest of the album is fine, but it doesn't really stick with me. One of the tests of a band for me is whether their songs stick with me when I'm not actually listening to them. The issue is certainly not musicianship; everyone in Opeth knows what they're doing. Most of the songs just overstay their welcome a bit. I do enjoy Blackwater Park more than some of Opeth's other albums, and I understand why many people consider them innovative. Musical taste, however, is ultimately a very subjective thing. Taking into account all the good things on Blackwater Park and its value for most folks on this site, I'm giving the album 3 1/2 stars rounded up.

more than 2 years ago
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FMOTP wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Hi guys and gals. First of all, thanks for all the comments about my Blackwater Park review. It's always good to get a response to what you write. We wouldn't post anything, if we didn't want it to be read! As someone who studied Communications in college, I try to write clear, detailed reviews in which I explain the reasons for my opinions.

I like MMA in part because reviewers have the option of 1/2 stars. The reason for rounding my review up to 4 stars for MMA is because I imagine the average reviewer and listener here is more of a hardcore fan of metal than I am. That person would probably get more out of Opeths' music then I do. I also believe that defining the difference between black and death metal is a lot more important to other people than it is to me. I'm not here to get into debates. I hope this rather lengthy post is helpful to listeners exploring Opeth's music.

bartosso wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I don't know, maybe this person doesn't like halves in their ratings? I've already seen people around here who refused to rate albums on the 10/10 scale and honestly, I can see why. 5/5 scale they have over at PA is more than enough.

powermetal2000 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

bartosso, it's an honest question. FMOTP stated in the review 3 1/2 stars, but for some reason bumped it up to 4 stars. No rounding in either direction was required, as a 3.5 can be selected. I'm well aware it's just a rating as you put it, I'm just wondering why the bump up was required if this is only a 3.5 in their view.

Unitron wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Love Opeth, but this has never been one of my favorites. Definitely does have some strong tracks though.

bartosso wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Not my favourite album by them, but I consider The Leper Affinity and The Drapery Falls to be absolute masterpieces.

Also, powermetal2000 still getting at people for "inaccurate" ratings ? ;d Man, it's just a rating.

Bosh66 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

It's an honest review. For me I'd rate it higher. I'm not sure whether that's being purely objective but I love this album. Others find it repetitive and boring. Each to their own I guess.

Bosh66 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

"Opeth is based on death metal" - indeed, but there's certainly black metal influences (acknowledged by Åkerfeldt), especially on the first couple or so releases.

powermetal2000 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Opeth is based on death metal, not black metal.

By the way why round up to 4 stars from 3.5 when you can, you know, just give it a 3.5 if that's what you think it's worth?