Opeth was founded in Stockholm in 1990 as a death metal band. But from the very beginning of its existence, the band proved to be the odd man out. In particular, the use of acoustic instruments and the effortless switching between hard metal and truly moving, beautiful and engaging prog rock pieces became trademarks of the Swedes. A first highlight in Opeth's oeuvre is Still Life (1999), but it was
… mainly the masterful Blackwater Park (2001) that opened the eyes of many. Deliverance was released in the spring of 2003, the first part of what should have been a diptych to be published simultaneously. And where Deliverance is considered a real death-metal album, this second part Damnation is a quiet, modest album on which vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt omits his impressive grunts and metal guitars are completely absent. Damnation consists of eight extremely exciting pieces of music that sometimes evoke associations with Pink Floyd, but also fans of Anathema's new work will certainly please. With Damnation, Opeth once again proves to be in a class of its own. (RWK)more
