Source: Album Artwork
Opeth are known for their expertly crafted songs with endless well refined melodic phrases which become timeless. These elements are no less brilliant in their new album Sorceress, in fact they only become stronger as a softer and more melodic foundation becomes the focus of their style, moving further away from the heavier roots, but not all of their past is lost in this new wave of style.
The Swedish metal band have claimed that this is not a concept album and we would agree with them. There are some tracks which link together material wise such as ‘Era’ and ‘Persephone (slight return)’ with the same piano riff being recycled, otherwise the tracks just stand on their own, some stronger than others. The opening track ‘Persephone’ is beautifully crafted with Spanish-inspired melodic riffs, a very calming tone for the beginning of the album and acts as a complement for a type of monologue when you hear a woman’s voice speaking. The instrumental and harmonious balance is sound but being positioned at the beginning of the album when there is no strong concept doesn’t completely work in our opinion. The next track however which is the title track on the album is a lot stronger riff-wise and contains more power and rhythmical drive. The solo melodic breaks are planned perfectly in between staccato stabs heard in a very muddy register. However the ending is rather odd with an abrupt chord to end when there has been an irregular riff leading up to this, almost seems anti climactic.
The use of acoustic instruments is experimented with throughout the album, this is especially the case in ‘Will O The Wisp’. The evidence of recording in a tranquil studio in Wales becomes evident in this track which is reminiscent of lilting folk remedy. Mikael Åkerfeldt’s voice shining clearly as ever through this light texture and complements his voice even further.
This album has it’s pristine moments as well as it’s dark more sinister parts which altogether create good contrasts, only a couple of tracks for us don’t seem to fit the album which are the opening and closing track. As there is no concept to the album then an opening and closing monologue is not needed, the instrumental part themselves are strong which could have been used as interludes within the album breaking up the tracks.
Overall however the album is melodically strong and contains a serious tone which is a strong point for the band.
