OPETH — Heritage (review)

Album · 2011 · Metal Related

2/5 · 2012-01-14
Doomster

I just don't know about this...

"Heritage" is the long anticipated 10th studio album by the very renowned progressive death metal band Opeth. The album recieved generally mixed reviews - older Opeth fans generally disliked it, but some of the more "open minded" ones hailed it as a work of progressive genius. And me, well, I really just don't know about this. I love Opeth a whole lot, and I was drooling over the release of this record for pretty much the entire year, only for me to listen to it and come off this roller coaster as quite dissapointed, in general.

It's not a bad album, at all. It just lacks the "oomph" present on older Opeth albums. This is like a watered down version of "Damnation" - it features the same clean vocals, no heavy sections at all, and progressive rock tendencies. However, while "Damnation" actually sounded like Opeth, "Heritage" sounds more like a shameless rip of older, better progressive rock bands like Jethro Tull and Gentle Giant and King Crimson. Opeth were definetely in an experimental mood with this album.

I know people are likely calling me out right now for not being "open minded enough", but like I said, I absolutely loved "Damnation". It was catchy and beautiful while still managing to be haunting and dark. This album, however, just sounds a bit shallow - like it wants to be "Damnation" but ends up falling flat. The only thing I could think of while listening to this was "If I want Jethro Tull, I'll buy a Jethro Tull album".

Even though the album is, as a whole, mediocre and average, there is a few parts which are just downright terrible. Case in point? "Folkore". It has some of the most God awful vocals I have ever heard in an Opeth song - whiny, annoying, and I just couldn't help to wait for this 8 minute song to end.

A few parts are VERY good, though. The intro title track, "Heritage" is a beautiful piano solo which has a lot of emotion behind it. "The Devil's Orchard" is the closest this album has to heavy, with a very nice drum track. A perfect choice for a single. Setting aside the vocals in the aforomentioned "Folkore", Mikael's vocals other than that are top notch.

Even though this is a mainly disappointing release in my opinion, Opeth's artistic passion still shows here, and even though it let me down, it is an OK album in it's own right. I wouldn't really reccomend it to anyone unless you're a die hard Opeth and prog rock fan. If you're looking for the best prog album of 2011, though, get DT's "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" instead.

more than 2 years ago
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Doomster wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Thanks!

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I disagree but hey that is fine and you wrote a great review.
I do agree though it lacks "oomph" though I enjoy the album it just is a bit flat. It was so much powerful live, I wish that power was captured on the album. I also love Damnation but just like the rockin feel of this one a bit more. Good review though!

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Doomster wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Yeah.

Xaxaar wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I actually enjoyed it a bit, but the reason why my score is so low for it is because it just sounds like they're forcing a 70s twist on it and frankly I think I've heard some of the riffs on this album from Camel records.