Metal reverie
Swedish metal band is witty, impressive
Ted Barker Staff
Opeth has been creating brilliant metal music for well over 10 years. Their sold-out March 5 performance at The Venue gave an amazing overview of the Swedish band’s talent and accomplishments.
Dark Tranquillity was first on the bill and played an energetic set. “The wonders at your feet” from 2000’s Haven started off the night with an explosion. Devil Driver followed with their own powerful sound.
When Opeth finally took the stage, the crowd of rowdy fans pushed its way to the front with energetic anticipation. You could tell that everybody was really looking forward to seeing one of the biggest names in metal.
Opeth played songs that spanned their catalogue, from their first album, Orchid (1995), up to their latest release, Ghost Reveries (2005).
Vocalist and lead guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt definitely led the show. “You know, man, in here, I’m the boss,” Åkerfeldt replied to yells from the audience. Mikael’s vocal range was amazing; he moved from soothing and melodic singing to growls and shrill screams. A technical mix of heavy death metal riffs and soft melodic guitar, Opeth’s music that night showed the full range of their skills. “Drapery falls” from Opeth’s Blackwater Park (2001) was a highlight, showing the band’s flexibility in transitioning back and forth from a heavy to a soft sound.
When listening to an Opeth CD, it seems so complicated and layered that you wonder how they could ever replicate that sound live. The sounds they made with just guitars and keyboards were astonishing, and the atmospheric parts of some songs were so intricate that it was hard to tell who was playing what. The drums were dynamic, and the keyboards ranged from a few delicate notes one moment, to epic choruses the next. Bassist Martin Mendez created a deep mood, and guitarists Åkerfeldt and Peter Lindgren played forceful chords, delicate sweeping melodies and blazing fast solos. The Swedish metalheads played everything perfectly.
Opeth seems like a rather serious band, so the charming wit displayed by Åkerfeldt was rather unexpected. The singer’s banter between songs was light-hearted and fun. He jokingly explained how each member joined the band because they liked the logo, or because they were only in it for the money. He responded to yells from the crowd with funny, calm responses. Someone yelled, “Satan!” at the top of their lungs, and without hesitation Åkerfeldt said, “What about him?”
Well, maybe you had to be there, but it was hilarious. Then on the occasion of drummer Martin Lopez’s birthday, the audience sang “Happy birthday.” It was a nice change, as it was a good contrast to Opeth’s intense, haunting music. In the end, it was a happy metal show.
