You don't have to apologize for not liking certain parts of a song, guys, like you said, it's a journey. I'm a massive Opeth fan, and even for me there are sections of this song I like more and less than others. But it all paints a picture, y'know. The song in it's entirety builds up to those moments that are just great, pure musical bliss. And moments like that can make a song great, even though the majority of it doesn't warrant it. But that's music for you. That's how it works and why I love it :) And one of the reasons I watch you guys is because your vids help me rediscover that joy, even in songs I've known and loved for decades :)
Full agreement to the last paragraph as well. Reaction channels seem to sprout like mushrooms these days, and to me it seems those that deal with metal work the best, which I welcome as a decade long fan of this longtime overlooked genre. That or TH-cam is only recommending metal channels ^^
Thomas S. Noticed the same thing and feel the same way. For some reason too, in cases where Metal is brand new to someone, and they do it the right way (in my opinion) by easing in and progressively going out of their comfort zone, it seems especially rewarding. It really is like vicariously discovering these songs that we’ve heard, loved and known forever for the first time. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve come away from these videos smiling and feeling satisfied that it’s not just MY preference, but something really special about the songs and writers that make them.
There's an Opeth album called Damnation which is almost entirely the smooth melodic stuff. I used to listen to it to get to sleep during the worst of my insomnia days. It's a fantastic album.
I love that my phone will go from Damnation to Deliverence seamlessly. The 2 albums pair very nicely, even though they are completely different styles.
Yeah, this was the accompanying album and counter point to that album. Has lots of the same parts, just heavier at times, and darker in ways. I love both albums and think they are both among their best work, I like their new stuff, but love deliverance and damnation.
Mikael Akerfeldt called himself the Eros Ramazzotti of Sweden, so I think he has a really open mind about music in general. Santana is of course one hell of an artist to be compared to.
@@jaeson05 well you can start off with the two new songs opeth released, they are pretty good. But i tell you, they are nothing like the older albums which are on a whole another level.
Especially if they like their jazzy, blues kinda riffs. It's definitely got lots of that in it. I've yet to meet a person that doesn't like almost every song on that album.
I'm honestly just impressed by how far you guys have come in terms of learning about entirely new genres of music. You really are free thinking, and love music for what it truly is. Thank you for the great content! P.S the new format has brought the channel to a whole new level
I don't think that's necessarily true, with Tool you just need to dig a lot deeper to really understand where the influences come from. Danny Carey being influenced by John Bonham for example and King Crimson isn't just something anyone without musical knowledge would understand immediately.
Surprised nobody mentioned face of Melinda. One of the best pieces of songwriting by opeth in my humble opinion. In fact most songs on Still Life are quite incredible. Benighted is one of the most beautiful mellow acoustic track I've heard.
Pretty much every Opeth song is amazing. I personally prefer "Master's Apprentice" and I also haven't seen it being mentioned either. In due time they'll come across it, I hope :)
Moonlapse vertigo is my fave from that one. This album I would have to go with A Fair Judgment. It just speaks to me in so many ways, both musically and lyrically.
Ivelina Pancheva Agreed. He had such a sweet voice, then he matured into that rich velvety tone on Ghost Reveries. Now he sounds like he's straining a bit too much, particularly with his falsetto.
I knew they would like it. And this isn't even the best song on the album really. They've finally just gotten into the grove that opeth brings to the table. It's not a band you like from the first listen, it's a band you have to get into gradually because it's more complex than most bands music.
@@DeathBYDesign666 Masters apprentices is the best song of this album. Hands down. But yeah... it takes a while to take it all in. I'd like to see them react to Black rose immortal though. 20 minute song with unlimited transitions!
For me it's A Fair Judgment, but that's a close second though. It's not one of their harder songs obviously, but it just speaks to me on so many levels I can't help but love it. If I had to choose a song that I know they would have a good reaction too, I would have to go with reverie/harlequin forest. It's got the type of groove that they seem to get into easier.
The Drapery Falls is an Opeth gold standard. I'm very surprised that more patreon voters didn't suggest it because of its accessibility to new Opeth listeners.
Guys, I think it's time to introduce them to the Damnation side of Opeth. They have experienced the heavy side and now maybe the good aspects of their softer side can present themselves.
Ive said that from the start. I know everybody loves the Heavy Opeth I like it to but Damnation is hands down my favorite and far more likely to make them fans than there hard stuff. Not to mention a 100 yrs from now. That will be the album people will listen to not there Death Metal stuff.
Hope leaves - Royal albert hall live with that fantastic improv solo near the end by Fredrik Akesson. And yeah, they would definitely enjoy Damnation. I don't know who the hell wouldn't.
Opeth is a band that has mastered the art of dynamics, so it’s hard to fully grok any Opeth song without digesting the entire song. They include dissonant ‘difficult’ parts to contrast with the melodic parts. It would be like viewing a mosaic, and saying you don’t like the color of a particular square. When you zoom out to view the entire thing you can see the image they’ve created.
@@prateek752 grok [ grok ]SHOW IPA verb (used with object) to understand thoroughly and intuitively: The code is simple enough that you should be able to grok what it does. verb (used without object) to communicate sympathetically.
Ok, Guys, I will make one request. Hessian Peel - Opeth is probably their most unique song and very progressive. I have been listening to progressive metal for a while and I can't think of a song that better contrasts the harmony and the brutality of music. It's a must listen. If you guys listen to Hessian Peel, you will come out with a brand new mindset of Opeth.
So true. I'm always saying this to ppl trying to get into Opeth. Watershed record has some of their most mature composition, and Hessian Peel is one that really shows off their range.
You might have a point there, but I think they are too new for that one. I think the groove on the song reverie/harlequin forest would take them to the level of getting that one better though. There are stages of opeth appreciation that they aren't quite on the level with yet.
Hessian peel is like a face-melting Swan song, farewell to the heavy shit! If Opeth were going to move away from the super heavy stuff, Hessian Peel is a hell of a way to end it. And of course, in true Opeth fashion, contains plenty of interesting melodic spaces too. Although I just don't know how these guys would like it. They NEEEEEEED to experience some newer Opeth. It's driving me insane that they STILL have no idea how smooth and groovy it can be!!
I'm a major Tool fan, and Schism is one of my favorites. Haven't heard much Opeth at all. I am *completely * feeling this track. This is exactly what would get me to listen to more by them, and I really thank you guys for doing this. I like you both keep it real 100%. When you're feeling it, you say so, and when you're struggling, you say it! The lyrical breakdown is fantastic. It adds so much more appreciation to all the musicality these heavy prog metal tracks bring. You both compliment each other so well and respect the work, even if you disagree with it. Mad props to you both!
Tool and Opeth have a lot of crossover appeal to each other. Both are brainy artistic music that sometime takes a few listens to really get, since so much is going on and they are the typical melodies.
@@soakedbearrd When i first got into Opeth i was blown away by just how many great songs they have, insane! And most of them are like 10 minutes long, its a lot of time to fill
@@Jablan11 Yeah I really got into them this year. Ive known about them for over a decade but I only had a handful of singles (GOP, Era, Sorceress, Burden, To bid you farewell). I eased into the growls. But now I love all their albums, and albums is the only way to listen to them. I sold myself short listening to singles and not the whole.
There have always been incredible drummers in this incredible band, but Martin Lopez has a preternatural feel for every facet of Mikael's stunning(-ly complex) songwiting
Lawfy D. Ace I’m fairly new to opeth but personally I like the clean vocals just as much as I like the growls, especially on songs like harlequin forest. I still have huge love for the heavy vocals but it seems the community dislikes the change to the frequent clean vocals. Could you try to explain why to me?
@@strangekitchenappliances2314 the issue isn't the clean vocals it's that they completely abandoned the death vocals on the last 3 albums I believe and for me Michael is the best harsh vocalist out there so it sucks to not get more of that
Listen to Face Of Melinda. It has all of those prog elements/Jazz that you were talking about and more, and the whole song builds to a beautifully climactic ending. It's like Opeth's Stairway To Heaven.
The Drapery Falls The Moor Beneath The Mire Serenity Painted Death Master’s Apprentices The Lotus Eater (Not in any particular order) Love your reactions!!!
So this is a good example of why we would love to see a video getting into time signatures. This song is mostly in 7/8. Meaning instead of counting 1234 which is the traditional groove, it's 1234567 or 1234, 123). Another word for that is "odd meter" or "odd time signature" because it's an odd number (and it's strange). One tip that might help is you can get into a groove if you think of it as 14. Half of it will feel backwards-ish, but when it loops back it's rewarding. Hope this helps and thanks for another awesome video!
Yes! One of my more recent faves from them. It's got so much variation in it even for opeth. I think everyone could find something about that song that they like.
That's a fantastic call about YYZ. The interval of that and the chord in the beginning of Deliverance are both tritones, it's the same note relationship. So great call!
Whatever songs you guys do...thanks for this channel. As a mid 40 year old, I can't imagine this kind of exposure to my favorite music 25 years ago. Rock on! \m/
This was the first Opeth song I ever heard. My reaction was exactly same as yours at first. But about halfway through the song I was all "Hold up now! What and who is this?!". From that moment on I have devoured their music and they are on my deserted island playlist.
My collection has a bunch of everything, mostly hip hop albums though. Opeth is by far my favorite rock band. Anytime I'm taking a long car ride somewhere and you reach that point where you are starting to feel tired/sleepy. Put on some Opeth. You'll come back to life. 🥳🥳
7:35 as groovy as it is, IMHO its one of the most fluid, well executed 7/8 progressions to date, both rhythmically and lyrically i.e. the way he growls to it. The intro is also a 7/8 progression and reminds me of the peculiar devil's 3 knocks (symbolic of mocking the father, son and the holy spirit) that suit the theme of the track so well it gives me shivers. This song is the phonetic equivalent of an epic horror story or maybe a nightmare. But its damn amazing!
Mikael definetly has a huge Santana influence. You can hear it on Opeths later works like the Sorceress album. Even on this albums acoustic companion Damnation.
These gents refuse to accept what they see at the surface of a genre or artist, and enjoy every minute of digging to the bottom. With surface-level judgement being a common theme of today’s world, this channel is high-key inspirational.
Hope fans familiar and unfamiliar with these two bands understand one isn't better then the other per se. These two bands set the bar of excellence. Not too many bands have the talent, desire, longevity to do what these two have for almost 30 years.
Opeth wins this for me. In this song they show and pay homage to some of their roots, demonstrate the mastery of all their instruments with and without distortion, and take you on a journey. Keep m coming guys! And please listen to Wolfheart - Zero Gravity sometime 🤘
GODDAMN. Just starting to get into Opeth, and initially wasn’t sure on Opeth vs Dream Theater. After this reaction, NO QUESTION you picked the round 1 winner well. That was freaking amazing.
Dry Ferr: after watching that reaction, I immediately got the album Deliverance and spent much of yesterday as I could with it. I think I’m going to have to just start working my way through them all.
When you listen to Opeth songs you find certain parts you love and other parts you find challenging. . The parts that are challenging grow on you the more you listen to the songs for the parts you like.
Yes, that's exactly how I managed to get into death growls, by loving the clean vocals on Bleak so much that I listened to the song until I liked the growls.
As an Opeth lover I cringe sometimes at the songs we want you to react to. I love Opeth and want others to enjoy them as well so I never start anyone with the epics. Any song with harsh growls I always recommended the songs that start melodically then transition into that. Harlequin Forest and Drapery Falls are two of the best for that. Edit: Next time I'll wait until song is over before commenting.
This is sooo good!!’ I came here from the schism video. I like a handful of opeth songs, but I’ve never heard this album/song. Thanks for introducing me!!! Also you guys should do more Between the buried and me, Voice of trespass, The proverbial bellow and Blot are some good ones of their newest album.
Someone already suggested it but you guys should try Windowpane by Opeth. It is from the Damnation album which is filled with "clean" only songs. It's hella beautiful and it shows the other beautiful side of Opeth.
This is great. Love how George is when he get's into a solid groove. If you guys get a chance, "The Grand Conjuration" by Opeth has one of the best transitions that I've ever heard. Love the work, keep it up.
Man - you guys are SO intuitive.. You say you're reminded of Santana - Opeth and Santana both use the same kinda guitar! Always impressed by the things you guys notice!
As a PoS fan before they caught on with most progmetallers (I was into "One Hour by the Concrete Lake" when it debuted, and part of a great on-line Prog station out of Colorado), I was still a HUGE Opeth fan because they were so unique even then (especially for Death Metal). But "Perfect Element" and "Remedy Lane" were also 2 unique and excellent Prog Metal albums that I enjoy to this day :).
I've heard this song hundreds of times but these videos make me feel like I'm hearing it for the first time with you. Not just because of the genuine enthusiasm, but sometimes you guys deduce things about songs that I never noticed or processed completely before, just from one listen. It's very refreshing.
The last 4 minutes could be the epitome of what makes heavy metal what it is. If you see this live it feels like you are put into a trance by the band. It is just mesmerizing in a live setting.
What’s cool is that this drummer for Opeth has latin roots and that rythm-feel, including jazz/latin-latin is def there and it mixes so typically with that more brutal rush type western rock influence. And the Santana comment I think is on point. Kirk from Metallica is also a huge Santana fan. Blues, jazz, latin, disco, hip hop, rock, metal, all family! And some find fantastic ways to make mix them.
Thank you dudes so much for covering this song. This song makes me feel like it’s all building up to an apocalypse with the most epic battle you can imagine happening at the end. Sub’d
@@heatherthorp3775 nice. But are you casting a vote for Katatonia? Deftones is a rare mainstream band that I think delivers on all hype. Love Katatonia, but think I'd go Deftones.
Of all reaction channels and videos I've watched I've never seen anyone request anything from Shadows Fall! Just about anything would do. Their whole catalog is pretty frigging awesome!
This is amazing to a seasoned prog fan yeah, but a lot of fans don't understand that they have 20+ years of getting use to this music. LiV have been doing metal for a year and a half. There's a reason they playlist ac/dc, Metallica, but only appreciate ne Obliviscaris and opeth. Plus these fans do bands a lot of disservice when they make their recommendations. George and Ryan should have heard Cusp of Eternity by now.. or burden.. or face of melinda. But it's been ghost of perdition, bleak, Blackwater park and deliverence...all complex epics for dudes not into complex epics.. wtf
absolutely agree with you. the same for mastodon and other bands. we should give them stuff to listen to that they would like not what we consider to be the best. I'm into melody myself rather than technical prowess so I get it.
Do you think they'd lose their mind hearing how different Sorceress is from Deliverance/ BWP? They didn't get slowly introduced through watershed, heritage, pale communion. You know Ryan would be all about that rhythm in there.
@Zedrik Allen well yeah that whole era was their live peak for me. Lamentations was amazing. Mikael sounds absolutely nothing like he did back in those days growling wise. Yet his singing is better than ever so doesn't point towards chord damage? Anyway, I'll always have pre heritage opeth, and then a brief return to form for pale communion before I gave up. I'll still keep an ear out for the new dark sounding record they are apparently writing. Not holding out for much though Sorry for the rant.. ha
@@thebigminsk1 older songs are much more synth heavy than when they were recorded, and it just sounds like he isn't trying when growling now, the playing is still masterful but agree it just isn't the same
Interesting that you mention Carlos Santana. Both Santana and Akerfeldt use PRS guitars which are known for their very unique, smooth and definitive tones, so I see how you can make that connection
To start them out maybe, but they have to get to the album jester race to hear the in flames that it was meant to be. Black ash inheritance is one of my favorites of metal period.
For an intro to In Flames, I’d start out with something like cloud connected , the quite place, the mirrors truth, or deliver us. I know old fans like to shit on everything that came after 2000 but Reroute to Remain through Sounds of a Playground Fading are awesome and an easier intro to the band.
THIS!! They should really check in flames out. I also believe they should check out something from colony-reroute first before going even further back. Clayman/Reroute is probably the best start as it's a great bridge between their first and later albums.
@@davidhollis1592 Yeah man, the solos on Damnation are pretty much Camel straight out of the gate. He's been saying Camel reinforced his melodic style of soloing for years. The slow hand of death metal, as he refers to it!
@@RossOfRoni Deliverance the album just has a bunch of great Outros. Outro to Master's Apprentices is also gorgeous. Btw, Deliverance is not even in their 5 best songs imo. Still good though
Damn this channel is a lot of fun. You guys are discovering a bunch of my favourite tracks right before my eyes. I can just sit here and smile and agree. Thanks guys haha
please do ''Opeth - Burden'' ...i wanna hear and see your experience in that one, cuz it is a bit different from all other Opeth stuff that u had heard ;)
Ive just loved watching the growth of this channel over the past years. So much quality content and sincerity from you two. Plus you both have always seemed more than swell dudes in general GOLLY
How many of you guys were waiting for them to get to the ending riff?
THEY MISSED THE BEST PART!!!
Iconic
I was ahah
I don’t get why everyone thinks that ending is so awesome. Yeah It’s pretty damn cool, but it doesn’t stand out as anything amazing to me.
Yup.
I do not know how this has not been recommended in these posts with your prog tournament. This is a MUST:
Anesthetize by Porcupine Tree
John Neeley Porcupine Tree in general, Steven wilson is modern prog perfection
Live in Tilburg!
Helluva song
John Neeley launda dil ki baat bolgaya! 😘
Rather arriving somewhere but not here
You don't have to apologize for not liking certain parts of a song, guys, like you said, it's a journey. I'm a massive Opeth fan, and even for me there are sections of this song I like more and less than others. But it all paints a picture, y'know. The song in it's entirety builds up to those moments that are just great, pure musical bliss. And moments like that can make a song great, even though the majority of it doesn't warrant it. But that's music for you. That's how it works and why I love it :)
And one of the reasons I watch you guys is because your vids help me rediscover that joy, even in songs I've known and loved for decades :)
last paragraph - spot on!
Full agreement to the last paragraph as well. Reaction channels seem to sprout like mushrooms these days, and to me it seems those that deal with metal work the best, which I welcome as a decade long fan of this longtime overlooked genre. That or TH-cam is only recommending metal channels ^^
Thomas S. Noticed the same thing and feel the same way. For some reason too, in cases where Metal is brand new to someone, and they do it the right way (in my opinion) by easing in and progressively going out of their comfort zone, it seems especially rewarding. It really is like vicariously discovering these songs that we’ve heard, loved and known forever for the first time. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve come away from these videos smiling and feeling satisfied that it’s not just MY preference, but something really special about the songs and writers that make them.
Very well written comment and couldn't agree more.
Couldn't agree more with the last sentence of this comment.
There's an Opeth album called Damnation which is almost entirely the smooth melodic stuff. I used to listen to it to get to sleep during the worst of my insomnia days. It's a fantastic album.
Michael Jeffrey omg I feel you :D
I love that my phone will go from Damnation to Deliverence seamlessly. The 2 albums pair very nicely, even though they are completely different styles.
Same stuff! This album helped me with my sleep deprivation
I used to play damnation on loop at night in my dorm room to sleep at college way back
Yeah, this was the accompanying album and counter point to that album. Has lots of the same parts, just heavier at times, and darker in ways. I love both albums and think they are both among their best work, I like their new stuff, but love deliverance and damnation.
Mikael Akerfeldt would definitely not be mad to hear the Carlos Santana comparison.
Fun fact: They both play with PRS guitars.
Not at all...but then, what sane guitar player/musician would be mad about being compared to a legend like Santana =)
Mikael Akerfeldt called himself the Eros Ramazzotti of Sweden, so I think he has a really open mind about music in general. Santana is of course one hell of an artist to be compared to.
Mikeal is a really kool guy, would love the similarity
Yeah, I thought the comparison was spot-on, the lead tone is very Santana-esque during that part. Huge compliment!!
After this and Blackwater Park, I am going to have to check out more Opeth.
Maneatingpie ! i bet my ass you will be blown away by the time you hit the album damnation and then when you will hit songs like ghost of perdition
Same here. I love discovering bands after they have been around for a long time. I’ll be doing an Opeth marathon soon
I have ZERO familiarity to Opeth. After this video, I am going to look into them more, myself!
@@jaeson05 well you can start off with the two new songs opeth released, they are pretty good. But i tell you, they are nothing like the older albums which are on a whole another level.
Eat the entire "Ghost Reveries", the most progressive and mature in my opinion
Opeth- Windowpane. If you want to be blown away by some guitar work.
Especially if they like their jazzy, blues kinda riffs. It's definitely got lots of that in it. I've yet to meet a person that doesn't like almost every song on that album.
And CLEAN VOCALS. :D The whole damnation album is great.
They should just react to the whole Damnation album. I think they’d love it.
Seriously YES! The Whole AlBUM
Windowpane is a masterpiece, i feel the dark and face of melinda are 2 of my other favorites.
There's a reason Opeth is Opeth and is considered one of the best metal/prog bands of all time
That is the great Martin Lopez on drums. He is both a metal and progish jazz player.
True. No disrespect to Axe, but Lopez had that smooth drumming style, which was a great part of that period of Opeth music.
Aaand he plays for Soen. Super amazing prog band!
Lopez brought a very Latin groove that I miss in opeth.
@@BuzzaB77Here's what the man says himself: th-cam.com/video/DL9eyqqAHqU/w-d-xo.html
López. Great drummer of my country Uruguay
I'm honestly just impressed by how far you guys have come in terms of learning about entirely new genres of music. You really are free thinking, and love music for what it truly is. Thank you for the great content!
P.S the new format has brought the channel to a whole new level
Yeah Tool and Opeth were both influenced by 70’s prog rock
Took that original style and took it two different directions (and both are rad!)
especially king crimson
tool is more unique,the influences are more visible in opeth music
beggars opera
I don't think that's necessarily true, with Tool you just need to dig a lot deeper to really understand where the influences come from. Danny Carey being influenced by John Bonham for example and King Crimson isn't just something anyone without musical knowledge would understand immediately.
Since day 1 I've been waiting to watch your reaction to the groovy outro riff of this masterpiece!
Todos los seguidores de opeth lo queríamos!!! Grande Nico, saludos de Uruguay!
Que haces aquí Fred?
que onda nico! que agradable sorpresa encontrarte por aquí
It's so good, I'm a drummer and this is my favorite song to play but I'm nowhere near mastering it
Surprised nobody mentioned face of Melinda. One of the best pieces of songwriting by opeth in my humble opinion. In fact most songs on Still Life are quite incredible. Benighted is one of the most beautiful mellow acoustic track I've heard.
That riff after it goes heavy is my favorite riff ever
Pretty much every Opeth song is amazing. I personally prefer "Master's Apprentice" and I also haven't seen it being mentioned either. In due time they'll come across it, I hope :)
Moonlapse vertigo is my fave from that one. This album I would have to go with A Fair Judgment. It just speaks to me in so many ways, both musically and lyrically.
Roundhouse tapes live - Face of Melinda is when I knew I stumbled onto a special band. Absolutely fantastic song.
Thank you! I think Still Life is the second best about Opeth's works after Blackwater Park! Hands down!
Is no one going to mention how George got the headbang timing on the final riff spot on the 1st time round. Dude is legit.
Good catch.. I had to go back to check! You’re right! The guy just got it way to easily!!
Deliverance is just a masterpiece. Martin Lopez was hands down the best drummer the band's had, too.
Yeah, totally agree. That jazz-vibe he had totally fit their style.
@@revylokesh1783 TOTALLY!!!!
He just had something special, I can't really explain what it is. He could play brutal and he could play very technical/jazzy.
Arguably the most underrated drummer anywhere NEAR the metal world....
I tend to forget how brilliant Mikaels clean vocals were back in that era. Pristine and innocent
Ivelina Pancheva Agreed. He had such a sweet voice, then he matured into that rich velvety tone on Ghost Reveries. Now he sounds like he's straining a bit too much, particularly with his falsetto.
@@waterguyroks well, one of the reasons he alleges to stop doing the growling is the fact that it was changing his voice. Among other things.
@@brunohenriqueazevedoborges5490 no, not at all, he still does plenty of growling live, he just doesn't want to make songs with growling anymore.
@@callumhall2432 but he said that on interviews. And yes, he is performing some old songs live, but he is heavily prioritizing newer material.
@@brunohenriqueazevedoborges5490 witch is what bands do
Been waiting for this since the blackwater park review!
x2 !
I loved that song. Been playing it all week
I knew they would like it. And this isn't even the best song on the album really. They've finally just gotten into the grove that opeth brings to the table. It's not a band you like from the first listen, it's a band you have to get into gradually because it's more complex than most bands music.
@@DeathBYDesign666 Masters apprentices is the best song of this album. Hands down. But yeah... it takes a while to take it all in. I'd like to see them react to Black rose immortal though. 20 minute song with unlimited transitions!
For me it's A Fair Judgment, but that's a close second though. It's not one of their harder songs obviously, but it just speaks to me on so many levels I can't help but love it. If I had to choose a song that I know they would have a good reaction too, I would have to go with reverie/harlequin forest. It's got the type of groove that they seem to get into easier.
The Drapery Falls is an Opeth gold standard. I'm very surprised that more patreon voters didn't suggest it because of its accessibility to new Opeth listeners.
Yup, that's how I started in 2004 :)
That’s the second Opeth song I’ve ever heard. (Windowpane was first)
Oh, children. xD
"Nectar" was my first Opeth song.
Demon Of The Fall for me
Mikael called it a poof song
Guys, I think it's time to introduce them to the Damnation side of Opeth. They have experienced the heavy side and now maybe the good aspects of their softer side can present themselves.
Ive said that from the start. I know everybody loves the Heavy Opeth I like it to but Damnation is hands down my favorite and far more likely to make them fans than there hard stuff. Not to mention a 100 yrs from now. That will be the album people will listen to not there Death Metal stuff.
In my time of need is my fav one
Hope leaves - Royal albert hall live with that fantastic improv solo near the end by Fredrik Akesson. And yeah, they would definitely enjoy Damnation. I don't know who the hell wouldn't.
That whole album is my favorite. Just a beautiful collection right there
I enjoyed only Damnation for many years until I finally understood what is to like in heavy Opeth.
Opeth is a band that has mastered the art of dynamics, so it’s hard to fully grok any Opeth song without digesting the entire song. They include dissonant ‘difficult’ parts to contrast with the melodic parts. It would be like viewing a mosaic, and saying you don’t like the color of a particular square. When you zoom out to view the entire thing you can see the image they’ve created.
Exactly. Tottaly agree whit you. Best regards.
nice analogy dawg
Groking isn't a thing
@@prateek752
grok
[ grok ]SHOW IPA
verb (used with object)
to understand thoroughly and intuitively:
The code is simple enough that you should be able to grok what it does.
verb (used without object)
to communicate sympathetically.
Ok, Guys, I will make one request. Hessian Peel - Opeth is probably their most unique song and very progressive.
I have been listening to progressive metal for a while and I can't think of a song that better contrasts the harmony and the brutality of music. It's a must listen. If you guys listen to Hessian Peel, you will come out with a brand new mindset of Opeth.
YES! Hessian Peel is a beautiful song.
So true. I'm always saying this to ppl trying to get into Opeth. Watershed record has some of their most mature composition, and Hessian Peel is one that really shows off their range.
I'd love to see LiV react to Hessian Peel. haha XD
You might have a point there, but I think they are too new for that one. I think the groove on the song reverie/harlequin forest would take them to the level of getting that one better though. There are stages of opeth appreciation that they aren't quite on the level with yet.
Hessian peel is like a face-melting Swan song, farewell to the heavy shit! If Opeth were going to move away from the super heavy stuff, Hessian Peel is a hell of a way to end it. And of course, in true Opeth fashion, contains plenty of interesting melodic spaces too.
Although I just don't know how these guys would like it.
They NEEEEEEED to experience some newer Opeth. It's driving me insane that they STILL have no idea how smooth and groovy it can be!!
I'm a major Tool fan, and Schism is one of my favorites. Haven't heard much Opeth at all. I am *completely * feeling this track. This is exactly what would get me to listen to more by them, and I really thank you guys for doing this.
I like you both keep it real 100%. When you're feeling it, you say so, and when you're struggling, you say it!
The lyrical breakdown is fantastic. It adds so much more appreciation to all the musicality these heavy prog metal tracks bring. You both compliment each other so well and respect the work, even if you disagree with it. Mad props to you both!
Tool and Opeth have a lot of crossover appeal to each other. Both are brainy artistic music that sometime takes a few listens to really get, since so much is going on and they are the typical melodies.
@@soakedbearrd When i first got into Opeth i was blown away by just how many great songs they have, insane! And most of them are like 10 minutes long, its a lot of time to fill
@@Jablan11 Yeah I really got into them this year. Ive known about them for over a decade but I only had a handful of singles (GOP, Era, Sorceress, Burden, To bid you farewell). I eased into the growls. But now I love all their albums, and albums is the only way to listen to them. I sold myself short listening to singles and not the whole.
Tool brought OPETH to my life!!Thank something damn..
I really hope that years later you’re now an opeth fan because they are so damn good
I have to admit, I am glad that they reacted to Blackwater park first.
You can hear a lot of Camel in their influence and Steve Wilson from Porcupine Tree
But the heard Ghost Of Perdition and another song before that
"Hear that double bass?" Im proud
There have always been incredible drummers in this incredible band, but Martin Lopez has a preternatural feel for every facet of Mikael's stunning(-ly complex) songwiting
I never appreciated death vocals until I heard this
Opeth even got better over time. Sadly the new songs dont contain any death vocals :(
Lawfy D. Ace I’m fairly new to opeth but personally I like the clean vocals just as much as I like the growls, especially on songs like harlequin forest. I still have huge love for the heavy vocals but it seems the community dislikes the change to the frequent clean vocals. Could you try to explain why to me?
@@strangekitchenappliances2314 the issue isn't the clean vocals it's that they completely abandoned the death vocals on the last 3 albums I believe and for me Michael is the best harsh vocalist out there so it sucks to not get more of that
cose arkfeld swith to the clean voice in a lot if their songs !! and you can understand with he say ...
Check out Vltimas or Edge of Sanity - Crimson!
Listen to Face Of Melinda. It has all of those prog elements/Jazz that you were talking about and more, and the whole song builds to a beautifully climactic ending. It's like Opeth's Stairway To Heaven.
The Drapery Falls
The Moor
Beneath The Mire
Serenity Painted Death
Master’s Apprentices
The Lotus Eater
(Not in any particular order)
Love your reactions!!!
The Moor is an incredible song
They would have lost their minds at the drumming in Master's Apprentices! 💜
Heather Stone Haha, tell me about it!
Heather Stone Karma - My Arms Your Hearse. Now there’s some powerful drumming.
matty maccourt Oh I wish they did anything from that album. "When" or "Demon of The Fall" omg.
This is my first time experiencing opeth. That was an amazing journey . instant fan! this is going in the play list.
Hows the opeth Journey goin? 🤔
Welcome
Oh man strap in, this'll be fun
Explore more, listen to other prog rock bands. You'll be blown away.
@@jaimeduendeozzzkr I've become one with the universe
So this is a good example of why we would love to see a video getting into time signatures. This song is mostly in 7/8. Meaning instead of counting 1234 which is the traditional groove, it's 1234567 or 1234, 123). Another word for that is "odd meter" or "odd time signature" because it's an odd number (and it's strange). One tip that might help is you can get into a groove if you think of it as 14. Half of it will feel backwards-ish, but when it loops back it's rewarding. Hope this helps and thanks for another awesome video!
Only the intro is 7/8. The rest is 4/4
Bro they don't care about time signatures.
Opeth - Hessian Peel needs to happen. That song is a rollercoaster of emotion and brutality.
racewiththefalcons1 all the watershed album is. My fav
Agreed on both accounts, Watershed, especially Hessian Peel. Lotus Eater also, the drums...
This is obligatory:
LOOK. ME. IN. THE. EEEEEYE!
yup I scream that part every time
Joey D I thought i was the only one XD
THIS IS YOUR TIME!!!!
Just had a cigar and a few beers relaxing after work. volume up! this is my new favoriter channel
Opeth pairs very nicely with a cigar
I hope you guys check out Opeth - Burden sometime in the future.
Yes! One of my more recent faves from them. It's got so much variation in it even for opeth. I think everyone could find something about that song that they like.
Yes! Watershed is very underrated in my opinion, Burden is a beautiful song
Naah
yeah BURDEN!!!!
But not the video! Only album version
That's a fantastic call about YYZ. The interval of that and the chord in the beginning of Deliverance are both tritones, it's the same note relationship. So great call!
Whatever songs you guys do...thanks for this channel. As a mid 40 year old, I can't imagine this kind of exposure to my favorite music 25 years ago. Rock on! \m/
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Demon of the Fall. Short, dynamic and brutally creative.
Michael Herman it must their most requested encore
yessssssssssssss
Yes it is incredible!!!!
Fav opeth songs:
1. Deliverance
2. Ghost of Perdition
3. Demon of the Fall
4. Blackwater Park
5. Windowpane (just too beautiful)
tuuduuduu
tuudiduu
tiiduuduuu
tuudiiduuu
That Rush beat is a common beat that accents the 7/8 time signature. Thanks so much for doing this track. That outro is absolutely legendary!
Here I am eating a snickers bar watching two dudes enjoying my favourite band the night before my final exam.....and I'm loving it! You guys are cool.
This was the first Opeth song I ever heard. My reaction was exactly same as yours at first. But about halfway through the song I was all "Hold up now! What and who is this?!". From that moment on I have devoured their music and they are on my deserted island playlist.
My collection has a bunch of everything, mostly hip hop albums though. Opeth is by far my favorite rock band. Anytime I'm taking a long car ride somewhere and you reach that point where you are starting to feel tired/sleepy. Put on some Opeth. You'll come back to life. 🥳🥳
7:35 as groovy as it is, IMHO its one of the most fluid, well executed 7/8 progressions to date, both rhythmically and lyrically i.e. the way he growls to it.
The intro is also a 7/8 progression and reminds me of the peculiar devil's 3 knocks (symbolic of mocking the father, son and the holy spirit) that suit the theme of the track so well it gives me shivers.
This song is the phonetic equivalent of an epic horror story or maybe a nightmare. But its damn amazing!
Mikael definetly has a huge Santana influence. You can hear it on Opeths later works like the Sorceress album. Even on this albums acoustic companion Damnation.
These gents refuse to accept what they see at the surface of a genre or artist, and enjoy every minute of digging to the bottom. With surface-level judgement being a common theme of today’s world, this channel is high-key inspirational.
Do enjoy watching you 2 get turned inside out by opeth 😂👍
they are listening wrong song. they must listen Gojira - - Death of Me
they are listening wrong song. they must listen Gojira - - Death of Me
@@T-mert Not even close with any of Opeth's first 7 albums.
Funny how they were not digging the 7/8 harsher parts but as soon as 4/4 and clean vocals came in, they were all over this.
I can understand.
but its the clean parts are in 7/8, not the other way around lol
@@sonicthehedgegod Yep.
I think eventually they’ll get used to harsh vocals and not hate it as much, maybe even like it at some point
@@sonicthehedgegod Yes, but the intro main heavy riff is in 7/8 too.
Hope fans familiar and unfamiliar with these two bands understand one isn't better then the other per se. These two bands set the bar of excellence. Not too many bands have the talent, desire, longevity to do what these two have for almost 30 years.
Opeth wins this for me. In this song they show and pay homage to some of their roots, demonstrate the mastery of all their instruments with and without distortion, and take you on a journey.
Keep m coming guys!
And please listen to Wolfheart - Zero Gravity sometime 🤘
GODDAMN. Just starting to get into Opeth, and initially wasn’t sure on Opeth vs Dream Theater. After this reaction, NO QUESTION you picked the round 1 winner well. That was freaking amazing.
Well my friend you have some listening a ahead of you. All there albums are front to back complete. There 1st nine are some of the best albums ever.
Dry Ferr: after watching that reaction, I immediately got the album Deliverance and spent much of yesterday as I could with it. I think I’m going to have to just start working my way through them all.
@@scotthughes2687 check out Still Life album. Masterpiece.
@@DonSampa Will do! After soaking in Deliverance yesterday, I'm doing Ghost Reveries today.
When you listen to Opeth songs you find certain parts you love and other parts you find challenging. . The parts that are challenging grow on you the more you listen to the songs for the parts you like.
Yes, that's exactly how I managed to get into death growls, by loving the clean vocals on Bleak so much that I listened to the song until I liked the growls.
9:47.
"Did he just mention patterns?!"
- every Meshuggah fan
As an Opeth lover I cringe sometimes at the songs we want you to react to. I love Opeth and want others to enjoy them as well so I never start anyone with the epics. Any song with harsh growls I always recommended the songs that start melodically then transition into that. Harlequin Forest and Drapery Falls are two of the best for that.
Edit: Next time I'll wait until song is over before commenting.
Yep true
The Drapery Falls sucks ass
At the Gates - Slaughter of the Soul
They won't like it
A tournament between the 3 original Gothenburg sound bands + maybe Carcass would be awesome.
A swedish melodeth tournament would be great! Some Soilwork, At The Gates, In Flames, The Crown etc.
x feel like they’d like world of lies or something off their newer album like upon pillars of dust better.
THIS. NOW.
Mikael Akerfeldt has name dropped Rush specifically. Many times.
Rivers of Nihil - Where Owls Know My Name
About time
I would prefer the silent life though
@@grey_f98 just passing through to second The Silent Life
Third for The Silent Life
Subtle change
Opeth - The Drapery Falls!
The bass in that song is delicious.
soakedbearrd Everything in that song is delicious.
Videos like these Tournaments make you the best musical reaction channel out there honestly. Would love to see more
This is sooo good!!’ I came here from the schism video. I like a handful of opeth songs, but I’ve never heard this album/song. Thanks for introducing me!!!
Also you guys should do more Between the buried and me, Voice of trespass, The proverbial bellow and Blot are some good ones of their newest album.
Someone already suggested it but you guys should try Windowpane by Opeth. It is from the Damnation album which is filled with "clean" only songs. It's hella beautiful and it shows the other beautiful side of Opeth.
At 19:00 , you see George keep the groove on the upbeats and Ryan completely fall of the wagon for a few seconds lmao
The Coda of this tune is absolutely one of the best ever recorded in this genre. Absolutely perfect.
Totally agree!
This is great. Love how George is when he get's into a solid groove. If you guys get a chance, "The Grand Conjuration" by Opeth has one of the best transitions that I've ever heard. Love the work, keep it up.
Are you thinking 6:30?
Runner-up battle:
Dream Theater - Panic Attack
Meshuggah - Combustion
Panic attack vs any devin Townsend song!
This song really is a master class in drumming, especially the outro when they keep adding extra rhythms.
You guys need to react to some Plini. Start diving into the instrumental world a little.
Plini would be amazing.
Scale the Summit - Atlas Novus
Cloudkicker - You and Yours
The Contortionist - Language
Omg please let Chino do a song with Opeth! You're speaking right to my heart!!
Heather Stone I would love that!!!
Lmao Opeth and Deftones are actually my 2 favourite bands but I don't think that'd work out at all
How many times did you post this? 😂
One of the best outros in the history of metal music. Can't wait to see them live in two weeks in Vienna :D
Imo Deliverance is a song to tackle after falling in love with a dozen other Opeth songs
I was literally saying “just wait guys” as you said it. 🤣
You guys are awesome I appreciate your honesty and attempts to see the greatness in Opeth.
Man - you guys are SO intuitive.. You say you're reminded of Santana - Opeth and Santana both use the same kinda guitar!
Always impressed by the things you guys notice!
AND THE WINNER IS.....
PAIN OF SALVATION - "The Perfect Element"
I've been getting ready to start the pain of salvation campaign
@@lespaulgothstud I've been doing it since forever, but all was lost in billions of comments.
Pain of Salvation VS Leprous
would be great =P
Oh yes, reaction to pain of salvation would great
As a PoS fan before they caught on with most progmetallers (I was into "One Hour by the Concrete Lake" when it debuted, and part of a great on-line Prog station out of Colorado), I was still a HUGE Opeth fan because they were so unique even then (especially for Death Metal). But "Perfect Element" and "Remedy Lane" were also 2 unique and excellent Prog Metal albums that I enjoy to this day :).
I love your guys reactions here. To me this song is very calming and nearly hypnotic in a sense I often lose myself in this song.
Martin Lopez’s drumming is genius. Life long drummer and the outro is my blowing!
I've heard this song hundreds of times but these videos make me feel like I'm hearing it for the first time with you. Not just because of the genuine enthusiasm, but sometimes you guys deduce things about songs that I never noticed or processed completely before, just from one listen. It's very refreshing.
The last 4 minutes could be the epitome of what makes heavy metal what it is. If you see this live it feels like you are put into a trance by the band. It is just mesmerizing in a live setting.
What’s cool is that this drummer for Opeth has latin roots and that rythm-feel, including jazz/latin-latin is def there and it mixes so typically with that more brutal rush type western rock influence.
And the Santana comment I think is on point. Kirk from Metallica is also a huge Santana fan.
Blues, jazz, latin, disco, hip hop, rock, metal, all family! And some find fantastic ways to make mix them.
That was Martin Lopez, who left before Watershed, if I'm remembering correctly. He plays for Soen now.
This song is a great example with metal to just be patient with it, especially longer songs, that it's usually building to something amazing
Thank you dudes so much for covering this song. This song makes me feel like it’s all building up to an apocalypse with the most epic battle you can imagine happening at the end. Sub’d
Katatonia VS Deftones
Ooooooooo 😮
Would be awesome, but only if I can convince people to vote for Leaders 😁
Rawley Fear Journey Through Pressure or Soils Song has my vote :)
@@heatherthorp3775 nice. But are you casting a vote for Katatonia? Deftones is a rare mainstream band that I think delivers on all hype. Love Katatonia, but think I'd go Deftones.
Rawley Fear They're both in my top 5... But Chino wins my heart. I would definitely vote Deftones.
Of all reaction channels and videos I've watched I've never seen anyone request anything from Shadows Fall! Just about anything would do. Their whole catalog is pretty frigging awesome!
I wish they would've gotten masters apprentice, or serenity painted death, something with undeniable riffs
Demon of the Fall
This is amazing to a seasoned prog fan yeah, but a lot of fans don't understand that they have 20+ years of getting use to this music. LiV have been doing metal for a year and a half. There's a reason they playlist ac/dc, Metallica, but only appreciate ne Obliviscaris and opeth. Plus these fans do bands a lot of disservice when they make their recommendations. George and Ryan should have heard Cusp of Eternity by now.. or burden.. or face of melinda. But it's been ghost of perdition, bleak, Blackwater park and deliverence...all complex epics for dudes not into complex epics.. wtf
People are selfish.
absolutely agree with you. the same for mastodon and other bands. we should give them stuff to listen to that they would like not what we consider to be the best. I'm into melody myself rather than technical prowess so I get it.
They loved BWP
I understand the others, but Blackwater Park was a perfect song for them.
Y’all need to do The Moor
Do you think they'd lose their mind hearing how different Sorceress is from Deliverance/ BWP? They didn't get slowly introduced through watershed, heritage, pale communion.
You know Ryan would be all about that rhythm in there.
This song is best experienced live. In around 2004.
@Zedrik Allen well yeah that whole era was their live peak for me. Lamentations was amazing.
Mikael sounds absolutely nothing like he did back in those days growling wise. Yet his singing is better than ever so doesn't point towards chord damage?
Anyway, I'll always have pre heritage opeth, and then a brief return to form for pale communion before I gave up.
I'll still keep an ear out for the new dark sounding record they are apparently writing. Not holding out for much though
Sorry for the rant.. ha
they had really good live recordings up until around heritage. something just seems off about eq and levels nowadays
@@thebigminsk1 older songs are much more synth heavy than when they were recorded, and it just sounds like he isn't trying when growling now, the playing is still masterful but agree it just isn't the same
That's was my 1st opeth concert. Completley blown away by how much better they sounded live then on there alhums
This brings a smile to see you guys enjoying this.
You should try SOEN - Lucidity. Deliverance by Opeth is a great song ... keep it up guys
absolutely.. as well as the video just to get the whole vibe
Yup, I've suggested Soen a time or two myself.
Yes! Anything really by Soen. They remind me alot of Opeth.
Soen is amazing! And the Opeth vibe is not a coincidence, as Martin Lopez is the drummer.
@@mfC0RDI had no idea! That's awesome :)
The moment I saw you guys have a new video on opeth I jumped out of my chair in excitement..
Massive Rush vibes in that intro, for sure!
You’re spot on with the reference to Santana. Opeth uses some of the same guitars, effects, and playing styles in their melodic sections.
Deliverance is more like waves crashing or a buildup rather than an even groove.
I love it though.
Interesting that you mention Carlos Santana. Both Santana and Akerfeldt use PRS guitars which are known for their very unique, smooth and definitive tones, so I see how you can make that connection
Edge of Sanity - Crimson
A fantastic album indeed! Not as good as Still Life but still a great work from Dan Swanö.
Haha at least thats gonna be 1 hour video. But that album is masterpiece. I really hope more people know Edge of Sanity
That gonna be one long-ass video
No one is going to mention Mikael's crazy range here? He has the smoothest, nicest clean voice as well as the best growls (in my opinion) in metal.
I just realized that you guys have never reacted to In Flames, and that's just sad. In Flames - Clayman or In Flames - Pinball Map.
If they're doing In Flames they need to do Jester Race first. Moonshield is probably the most accessible song on it. It's breathtaking.
To start them out maybe, but they have to get to the album jester race to hear the in flames that it was meant to be. Black ash inheritance is one of my favorites of metal period.
Whoracle is way better than clayman
For an intro to In Flames, I’d start out with something like cloud connected , the quite place, the mirrors truth, or deliver us. I know old fans like to shit on everything that came after 2000 but Reroute to Remain through Sounds of a Playground Fading are awesome and an easier intro to the band.
THIS!!
They should really check in flames out. I also believe they should check out something from colony-reroute first before going even further back. Clayman/Reroute is probably the best start as it's a great bridge between their first and later albums.
Opeth is my band.. bay of the hounds, drapery falls, blackwater, face of Melinda, those are just to name a few great ones
4:20 That's a compliment trust me
Ending Credits is directly influenced by Santana, is it not?
@@davidhollis1592 That's more like Camel, really. I'm sure he's in there somewhere though.
@@lilleskutt5467 Now you say that, the second section is rather Camel-esque, never clicked before!
@@davidhollis1592 Yeah man, the solos on Damnation are pretty much Camel straight out of the gate. He's been saying Camel reinforced his melodic style of soloing for years. The slow hand of death metal, as he refers to it!
You guys need to try the full prog of Opeth.
In My Time of Need
Burden
Windowpane
Try any of these
These are great tracks, but also the opposite of "full prog opeth." If anything, deliverance is one of the better examples
You don't know what prog is... non of the songs you listed were "prog..." the closest was windowpane. Hessian peel is an example of pure prog.
I was felt duped when I bought the album with In My Time of Need lol. Wasn't always as easy to research music before ya buy it like it is now
By the pain i see in others
Deliverance is the Opeth's best song and outro breakdown is just mindboggling
How dare you mention Deliverance's outro and not pay respect to the Greatest Outro Of All Opeth Time, A Fair Judgement.
@@RossOfRoni Deliverance the album just has a bunch of great Outros. Outro to Master's Apprentices is also gorgeous. Btw, Deliverance is not even in their 5 best songs imo. Still good though
@@RossOfRoni YES! YYYEESSS! THAT OUTRO IS THE DARKEST THING IN WHOLE UNIVERSE
I love the outro and experiencing it live was absolutely stunning. :)
@@RossOfRoni Deliverance>Ghost Reveries #sorrynotsorry
Damn this channel is a lot of fun. You guys are discovering a bunch of my favourite tracks right before my eyes. I can just sit here and smile and agree. Thanks guys haha
please do ''Opeth - Burden'' ...i wanna hear and see your experience in that one, cuz it is a bit different from all other Opeth stuff that u had heard ;)
One year later: all Damnation album, man...
Ive just loved watching the growth of this channel over the past years. So much quality content and sincerity from you two. Plus you both have always seemed more than swell dudes in general GOLLY