At this point, can anything Mikael Akerfeldt does be construed, in any way, as a let-down? Now known as one of the few vocalists with an enchanting voice but also one of the most brutal growls, the frontman of Swedish band Opeth has been at the helm of some amazing work in the last two decades, even collaborating with fellow prog pioneer Steven Wilson, from Porcupine Tree.
Prior warning, though – if their 2011 album Heritage turned you off for not being metal enough, you might not find much of interest in their latest, Pale Communion . While it’s one of the best crafted prog albums this year, Pale Communion certainly cements Opeth’s standing as a rock band, bidding goodbye to their previously influential progressive death metal style, best heard on 2001’s Blackwater Park . Of course, you have to remember that was 13 years ago. While Damnation marked the beginning of Akerfeldt and co’s transition to rock in 2008, they decided to go all-out on Heritage , which certainly lost them a few metalheads.
Regardless, anyone who’s a fan of Opeth’s wonderful sense of song composition and just the way they construct melodies would go as far as saying they’ve peaked on Pale Communion . Faster, psychedelic numbers open the album, from ‘Eternal Rains Will Come’ to the galloping, menacing ‘Cusp of Eternity’. There are eerie silences put in place on the album that make you realise this is a made-for-headphone-listening record in many ways. ‘Moon Above, Sun Below’, which clocks in at nearly 11 minutes alternates between the loud and the quiet, Akerfeldt making his presence felt throughout – whether he’s whispering or soaring. The best part about Pale Communion is its vividness, which is the real essence of prog. Opeth certainly trace the evolution back, aiming for cleaner, happier prog rock in the vein of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, throwing in folky hues on ‘River’.
You can hear Steven Wilson’s backing vocals on ‘River’, which might tingle a few diehard fans of Porcupine Tree and Opeth. Keyboardist/pianist Joakim Svalberg gets his own lead parts on the instrumental ‘Goblin’, while guitarist Fredrik Akesson, bassist Martin Mendez and drummer Martin Axenrot duel brilliantly on ‘River’. They save the best for last, with the album closer ‘Faith In Others’ swaying between heavy and mellow, regally led by Svalberg at times on what is undoubtedly their most diverse song yet, making Pale Communion a must-have for anyone who loves progressive rock.
