Opeth - Comedy and metal

Opening act was Burst, also from Sweden. I had heard a lot about this band, but not much from it so I was quite curious about their show. It appeared to be another one of those more progressive orientated acts like for instance say Extol or Swarm Of The Lotus. Only the gentile parts seemed to be more emphasized than with the other bands in this direction. It was very annoying that the guitars were very soft on the side that I was standing on, the emotion the music was supposed to convey got pretty much lost because of that.

They did play a tight show musically, but I lost interest pretty quick due to the sound. The vocals were not that much to listen to either, the vocalist could only produce one hardcore orientated roar which was backed up by a lower grunt and emo vocals from the bassist and a guitarist. This wasn’t nearly as epic as I expected it to be.

 

Then it was time for my second Opeth show this year. The sound was way better with these guys, which was already apparent when they kicked in with “Ghost of Perdition”. Mikael’s intermezzo’s between the songs are getting more ridiculous with every time I see these guys, he should keep it down a bit more, or start a stand up comedy show. For every ten minutes of playing there seems to be five minutes of talking and telling jokes. Quite funny though, but perhaps for some people rather annoying.

They played an incredible show, as to which I’m used of them, but it started out rather boring to me. I mean I was impressed, but I just didn’t feel like I was in the mood for it. Halfway the set that feeling disappeared as songs from the Blackwater Park and My Arms, Your Hearse album flew by. Also highly impressing was “Baying of the Hounds” of their new album.

Mikaels voice was again heavenly, but this time I heard two slight mistakes. Ah well, shit happens when your playing over ten shows in a row. I must say that their replacement drummer kicks some serious ass. He drums that stuff like he’s doing it for over ten years. All very impressing.

So when all the tracks were played, the deciding moment had arrived. Would they play my favourite track “Deliverance” for an encore or would it be Demon Of The Fall”? I was lucky because it was the first mentioned one and it blew me away like never before.

All in all it was a great show that displayed great professionalism and skill, but to be honest for me to see them once a year is enough.