Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Opeth - Deliverance - reviewed by: ChaosLord

Track Listing1. Wreath (11.10) 2. Deliverance (13.36) 3. A fair judgement (10.24) 4. For absent friends (Instrumental) (2.17) 5. Master's apprentices (10.32) 6. By the pain I see in others(13.51)

After weeks of anticipation and anxiety I finally picked up the new Opeth CD and immediately popped it into my CD player. The moment the CD's opening track "Wreath" started I fell into a state of euphoria. I was amazed at how much the band has matured since 2001's "Blackwater Park". Now I loved that CD to death and was thinking that it was going to be hard to top it. But I was proven wrong with the release of "Deliverance". This is the heaviest album that Opeth has recorded. If you don't believe me go out and buy the CD. Not to say that the album is devoid of any of the soft spots one comes to expect from Opeth. Check out "For Absent Friends" a beautiful, two minute instrumental to give your brain a break from the beating it is taking. I belive that it si also one of the most complex albums as far as the structure of the songs go. Each song takes you on its own separate journey and is filled with many twists and turns. The only complaint some people might find is the length of the songs. Except for the aforementioned instrumental, each song clocks in well over 10 minutes each. But this is true with most any Opeth CD, however there are so many tempo and style changes throughout each song that you forget that you are only listening to one track on the album. This album was worth the wait and has my vote for best album of 2002. And if that wasn't enough this was the first of a two CD set. The second CD entitled "Damnation" is due in mid-March and will be the polar opposite of "Deliverance". This CD will be more slow and melodic and will be more of an acoustic album. I am drooling in anticipation for it's release. --ChaosLord 1.27.03