Ghost Reveries by Opeth

Ghost Reveries, Opeth's eighth album, released in 2005.
Progressive death metal in its purest form, a wonderful fusion of death metal sounds and more melodic elements characteristic of progressive rock.

The production is excellent on both the CD and vinyl versions (pictured), with a refined transition from death metal to progressive rock. This is a milestone and a crucial moment in Opeth's discography, expanding the complexities of progressive metal with elements of experimental rock, demonstrating that there's always room for evolution.

Songs like "Atonement" (which I adore for its oriental rhythms and which I listened to twice this time), "Hours of Wealth," and "Isolation Years" are completely melodic, while the other tracks feature both very "violent" and melodic aspects.

"Hours of Wealth" departs from the album's style and has a bluesy sound, while "Isolation Years," truly beautiful, is, according to its author, "the most beautiful song Opeth has ever written."

Mikael Åkerfeldt is also superb on this album.

If you're unfamiliar with them or are skeptical of the genre (like when you don't listen to something even though you're unfamiliar with it, out of pure prejudice; it happens to me, of course), I recommend you listen to them and let yourself be surprised (as I did, in fact). Don't just judge the signature growl vocals (which, incidentally, aren't a constant feature on every song, but are nevertheless part of a narrative, a story, and therefore perfect in context), but above all appreciate the enormous quality of the compositions and the incredible mastery and skill of the musicians: a stellar band.

An essential masterpiece of progressive rock, a MUST-HAVE for your collection.

Tracklist

1. Ghost of Perdition (10:29)
2. The Baying of the Hounds (10:41)
3. Beneath the Mire (7:57)
4. Atonement (6:28)
5. Reverie / Harlequin Forest (11:39)
6. Hours of Wealth (5:20)
7. The Grand Conjuration (10:21)
8. Isolation Years (3:51)

Duration 66:46

LineUp

- Mikael Åkerfeldt - electric and acoustic guitar (6 and 12 strings), Mellotron, vocals, producer
- Peter Lindgren - guitars
- Per Wiberg - piano, electric piano, Mellotron, Hammond, Moog
- Martin Mendez - basses (fretted and unfretted)
- Martin Lopez - drums, percussion

Featuring:
- Martin Axenrot - drums (9)

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page