Damnation

Opeth's 'Damnation' album is now re-issued at a special price.

When Opeth's original line-up began to solidify in the backwoods of Stockholm in 1990, little did the band know that they were about to turn the metal world upside down and counter clockwise. In an effort to bridge the widening gap between death & black metal, Opeth have successfully added progressive influences and acoustic instrumentation to their songs

Now, following up on 2000's critical smash 'Blackwater Park', comes 'Damnation'

With producer Steve Wilson once again on hand to assist in Opeth's quest to remain true to its origins while progressing ever forward, the band's sixth volume, Deliverance offers no great departure by established standards, but rather continues exploring the possibilities of this very fruitful relationship. And sure enough, for all of its continued aggression and overall compliance with death metal's key elements - blastbeat drumming runs,Mikael Akerfedlt's frequently croaked vocals and eternally bleak lyrics - Deliverance is altogether more subtle than any of its predecessors, approaching listeners with haunting nuances and masterful dynamics rather than overwhelming them with sheer mass and complexity.

Dominated as always by imposing ten-plus minute musical movements, this is creative evolution driven to perfection. Both opener "Wreath" and the ensuing title track eschew traditionally crushing death metal riffs for no less pummeling, hammered staccatos delivered with near-industrial precision.

This album proves that Opeth is still quite without peer in its contribution to advancing the cause of heavy metal in the new millennium, and in that light, Deliverance stands as yet another work of towering vision from this incredible band.