Jump to content

Opeth - Heart in Hand [Review]


SeanButler

Recommended Posts

Opeth’s first released single ropes in the listener with a deep chuggin’ opening riff. The riff resolves as any classic opeth riff would - on a level of pure genuity. Touches of old tracks subtly outline the structure of the song. This first taste of the song is grounded by a ripping solo from Fredrick. His playing on this particular track should not be overlooked. The immortal’s solo helped  remind the listener that these musicians are the real fuckin’ deal. Whether you like widdly-woo playing or not, listening to the rest of the song would heed a skillful surprise to anyone. Mellowed out Martin Mendez turns this song into a parabola of emotion from the depths to the clouds. The Axe and Svalberg peak the song whilst keeping everyone tight.

 

The “maximum overload” transition, as I feel it, segways beautifully into the true core of the song. Mikael and Fredrick’s fingerpicking immediately calms the listener, sending them somewhere… else. We fade into acoustic bliss as Mikael’s euphonious voice begins reminiscing of the past. It’s clear that Akerfledt is pouring his fully regenerated soul into the soundscape. Clear in each band member’s playing is a true immersion into the music. Mikael’s singing certainly instills that deep feeling into each of his band members. This in turn generates soulful playing from each and every member. Mikael’s lyrical delivery will most likely be a continuing theme throughout the album. Focusing on developing his voice into a staple (as if it isn't already) is another sign of a matured Mikael Akerfeldt. Isn’t this motive clear in recording tracks bilingually?

 

If this track is simply a taste of In Cauda Venenum, it is safe to assume what the album’s impact will be. In Cauda Venenum will be a turning point not just for Opeth, but for an entire genre much the same as Blackwater Park did for the progressive metal scene. It is tough to put each of Opeth’s albums into a genre, but the dark progressiveness in this track is clear. Mikael is ready to leave his vision and mark in the world of progressive music. A genre that is riddled with legends. Luckily for Opeth, if the title “Heart in Hand” is a direct correlation to their expression of sonic emotion, then “In Cauda Venenum” will have much in store for all of us, as Mikael always puts equal effort into each tune. Don’t dismiss this album, I doubt it will be something to snuff at. 

 

It’s quite possible that I have delved too deep into this track. Maybe Opeth’s magic has to do with Mikael pumping out complex tunes in a few days. He could just be a genius artist after all. 

 

Whatever the case may be, keep an eye out for the poison in the tail, you never know what could happen. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I disagree with this assessment. It's nice hearing him sing in Swedish, but this track didn't do much for me aside from that. I'm not surprised; I haven't enjoyed anything since Ghost Reveries. It's not just about lacking harsh vocals and  aggression. Something essential strikes me as missing from their music since then. I don't get a sense that these parts were particularly important to them, at least not in the way that a lot of their older riffs/melodies/song structures were; the songs used to feel like a labor of love, and have a sense of discovery about them, like they were born from an urge for development. This stuff just sounds like "another Opeth song". His voice is great, but the magic is gone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just can't get excited by Opeth these days, although I was never a huge fan even in the late 90s, which I consider to be their apex.

In fact, when 'Blackwater Park' first came out, my friends and I thought it was a step down from 'Still Life' and 'My Arms, Your Hearse'. These latter two remain my favourite Opeth albums, yet it's 'BP' that seems to get most of the praise from the peanut gallery.

There's a bit of a carry-on too about Mikael over the last decade or so that's a bit on the nose.

Also, the word you are looking for is "segue", not "segway", which I believe is the corny corporate transportation device. We would also traditionally say, "nothing to sniff at" rather than "snuff at", but perhaps your malapropisms mean you're just a pioneer. 

Interesting first post, too, to just come in and drop a review of a single. Nothing wrong with that; I hope you stay and chat about a range of bands and threads.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I completely agree with @FatherAlabaster and @Requiem here. I, too, have sensed a decline in their music since Blackwater Park, at least in comparison with their Candlelight stuff and Still Life, which are some of my most favorite metal albums ever written. To me, there are just too many progressive rock influences which they've been adding in ever larger proportions with each subsequent album since then, that by Ghost Reveries, they really sound like a band which isn't entirely sure what they are anymore. It's not that their later albums are unlistenable - well, I called it quits after Watershed - but there isn't a whole lot that they've done recently which sticks in my mind. I believe there's a time in every band's career when they've exhausted their creative genius, or perhaps their priorities in songwriting just aren't what they used to be for any number of reasons, but when I heard the new single, it was pretty much what I was expecting - bland and forgettable. I find that many bands that talk about "progressing" or "maturing" or "evolving" are really just diluting their original unique sound. There's nothing at all wrong with melody and clean vocals (Opeth was probably the best I've ever heard at juxtaposing acoustic parts and clean singing with their overarching harshness and aggression), but in this case, as well as many other bands I listen to, it begins to come across like a sort of lack of new ideas. Which isn't surprising, when it's a band that's been around for three decades, but no matter how much I like them and their earlier material, I'm not going to call something ingenious or groundbreaking when it sounds like they've just been mentally fumbling around and struggling to come up with anything new for the last 10 years.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

** moved to review section **

I certainly echo the thoughts here of a lot of their post 'Blackwater Park' stuff leaving me cold.  I started to get to grips with their last effort back on holiday last year in a particularly peaceful and soul rehabilitating place in Wales with it's own stream and waterfall in the garden.  Even in this environment that left me more open to new things, I couldn't help but feel that they were trying too hard to be "quirky" with their songwriting.  The sense of time changes just being there for the hell of it as opposed to being part of the whole majesty of progressive rock was just too imposing.  Prog for prog's sake.  Their output of recent years feels like something intrusive is being done to the listener as opposed to something with potential allure is being presented to the listener.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've been following them since Morningrise, and nearly all of their albums have taken multiple listens to really grab me. Morningrise itself took a couple of months; Ghost Reveries took a whopping seven years. I still hold out a bit of hope that I'll warm up to some of the later albums, but it hasn't happened so far. If they keep on churning out non-events like this track, it won't happen at all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Join Metal Forum

    joinus-home.jpg

  • Our picks

    • Whichever tier of thrash metal you consigned Sacred Reich back in the 80's/90's they still had their moments.  "Ignorance" & "Surf Nicaragura" did a great job of establishing the band, whereas "The American Way" just got a little to comfortable and accessible (the title track grates nowadays) for my ears.  A couple more records better left forgotten about and then nothing for twenty three years.  2019 alone has now seen three releases from Phil Rind and co.  A live EP, a split EP with Iron Reagan and now a full length.

      Notable addition to the ranks for the current throng of releases is former Machine Head sticksman, Dave McClean.  Love or hate Machine Head, McClean is a more than capable drummer and his presence here is felt from the off with the opening and title track kicking things off with some real gusto.  'Divide & Conquer' and 'Salvation' muddle along nicely, never quite reaching any quality that would make my balls tingle but comfortable enough.  The looming build to 'Manifest Reality' delivers a real punch when the song starts proper.  Frenzied riffs and drums with shots of lead work to hold the interest.


      There's a problem already though (I know, I am such a fucking mood hoover).  I don't like Phil's vocals.  I never had if I am being honest.  The aggression to them seems a little forced even when they are at their best on tracks like 'Manifest Reality'.  When he tries to sing it just feels weak though ('Salvation') and tracks lose real punch.  Give him a riffy number such as 'Killing Machine' and he is fine with the Reich engine (probably a poor choice of phrase) up in sixth gear.  For every thrashy riff there's a fair share of rock edged, local bar act rhythm aplenty too.

      Let's not poo-poo proceedings though, because overall I actually enjoy "Awakening".  It is stacked full of catchy riffs that are sticky on the old ears.  Whilst not as raw as perhaps the - brilliant - artwork suggests with its black and white, tattoo flash sheet style design it is enjoyable enough.  Yes, 'Death Valley' & 'Something to Believe' have no place here, saved only by Arnett and Radziwill's lead work but 'Revolution' is a fucking 80's thrash heyday throwback to the extent that if you turn the TV on during it you might catch a new episode of Cheers!

      3/5
      • Reputation Points

      • 10 replies
    • I
      • Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
    • https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/52-vltimas-something-wicked-marches-in/
      • Reputation Points

      • 3 replies

    • https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/48-candlemass-the-door-to-doom/
      • Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
    • Full length number 19 from overkill certainly makes a splash in the energy stakes, I mean there's some modern thrash bands that are a good two decades younger than Overkill who can only hope to achieve the levels of spunk that New Jersey's finest produce here.  That in itself is an achievement, for a band of Overkill's stature and reputation to be able to still sound relevant four decades into their career is no mean feat.  Even in the albums weaker moments it never gets redundant and the energy levels remain high.  There's a real sense of a band in a state of some renewed vigour, helped in no small part by the addition of Jason Bittner on drums.  The former Flotsam & Jetsam skinsman is nothing short of superb throughout "The Wings of War" and seems to have squeezed a little extra out of the rest of his peers.

      The album kicks of with a great build to opening track "Last Man Standing" and for the first 4 tracks of the album the Overkill crew stomp, bash and groove their way to a solid level of consistency.  The lead work is of particular note and Blitz sounds as sneery and scathing as ever.  The album is well produced and mixed too with all parts of the thrash machine audible as the five piece hammer away at your skull with the usual blend of chugging riffs and infectious anthems.  


      There are weak moments as mentioned but they are more a victim of how good the strong tracks are.  In it's own right "Distortion" is a solid enough - if not slightly varied a journey from the last offering - but it just doesn't stand up well against a "Bat Shit Crazy" or a "Head of a Pin".  As the album draws to a close you get the increasing impression that the last few tracks are rescued really by some great solos and stomping skin work which is a shame because trimming of a couple of tracks may have made this less obvious. 

      4/5
      • Reputation Points

      • 4 replies
×
×
  • Create New...