Damnation

Artist: Opeth

Currently Unavailable New.

Average Rating: (See all 4 reviews) Label: Koch Records (USA) 1  Windowpane 2  In My Time of Need 3  Death Whispered a Lullaby 4  Closure 5  Hope Leaves 6  To Rid the Disease 7  Ending Credits 8  Weakness Performer Notes Opeth: Mikael Akerfeldt (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars); Peter Lindgren (guitar); Martin Mendez (bass); Martin Lopez (drums, percussion). Additional personnel: Steven Wilson (guitar, piano, Fender Rhodes, mellotron, background vocals). Recorded at Nacksuing Studios and Studio Fredman, Gothenberg, Sweden. Best known for pushing the boundaries of progressive death metal, Sweden's Opeth have been gradually moving away from the traditional low-growling sound, towards a cleaner vocal style. Though their previous six efforts involved a signature balance of heavy and mellow sections, it wasn't until they started using the production of Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) that they began to shine. 2001's BLACKWATER PARK broke the band to a wider audience without taming any of their metallic fury. A subsequent limited edition contained two bonus tracks that hinted at a quieter version of Opeth to come. DELIVERANCE (2002) picked up where BWP left off. But it was only the first of a two-pronged attack. DAMNATION is its counterpart and has all of the intensity without any of the bombast. Clean electric and acoustic guitars and vocals dominate the record. Wilson's keyboard touches add shading and color to the bleak Opethian soundscape--casual listeners might not even recognize this as the same band. Opeth continues to force changes to the definition of metal, as DAMNATION may be the quietest metal album you've ever heard. Producer: Opeth; Steven Wilson Format: CD (1 Disc); Stereo Country: USA UPC: 099923865223 Studio/Live: Studio Release Date: 22 April 2003

This is defiantly their most acoustic album, it features on the first half of the Lamentations DVD, so if you like the DVD or the CD, the other is a must. I love this album and is a real must for anyone who likes guitars really. Some songs like "Ending Credits" are brilliant in their simple design. Like no other CD out there, just get it.

Damnation is a unique part in the Opeth catalogue. It takes their softer and acoustic components and uses them as the basis for a full-length album. Personally I really enjoyed this cd, and would probably be my overall favourite Opeth release. You get the eerie atmospherics and awesome solos that are sprinkled throughout albums like Still Life and Blackwater Park, seperated from the death metal counterpart. Don't get me wrong, I love death metal, especially Opeth's take on it, but listening to Damnation, you get a greater range of what was hinted at between the blast beats and roars.
Die-hard metalheads may not enjoy Damnation as much, but I feel that anyone who already enjoys Opeth will; because in order to enjoy Opeth, you have to open your mind to a great range of often opposing sounds. This is progressive, atmospheric rock at its finest.
Standout tracks include Windowpane, Hope Leaves and Ending Credits.

No signs of the heavier side ofr opeth here (the death metal side has completely gone and have been replaced by acoustic songs). Not a bad album though, the vocals are a real highlight. In this album I actually paid attention to the drums and enjoyed them alot. A must for any opeth fans.

Even when most people hated this album (especially die-hard Opeth fans), it's still one of my ALL-TIME favorites. This is progressive rock ala Pink Floyd, Camel and all that psychadellic prog stuff from the 70's. There is no trace of metal at all, yet Mikael did an awesome job with his clean vocals and electric/acoustic riffs. This is the most mellow side of Opeth. IT RULES!