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Released in 2003, Damnation is easily the most radical departure of Opeth's career. The album is the first to explore the group's non-heavy metal-based songwriting both at length and exclusively. This is because, except for very brief moments in the excellent "Closure," not a distorted power guitar chord, not a pounding bass drum, not a growled death vocal is to be found here -- only mellow, melancholy, deeply reflective numbers boasting melodic electric and acoustic guitars, the odd bit of piano and Mellotron (performed by the producer, Porcupine Tree's Steve Wilson), and background string arrangements. Rather, alluringly mournful tracks like "Windowpane," "Death Whispered a Lullaby," "Hope Leaves," and "Ending Credits" are at once complex and supple. Relatively of short length by Opeth standards, they often resemble the short musical interludes separating the band's prevalent explosions of black metal fury and progressive rock excursions. I like works of Opeth and Steve Wilson so I decided to buy this excellent audio CD.Read full review
I'm not keen on death metal but this CD is totaly in progressive side of the Opeth. Beautifull vocals of Mikael Akerfeldt - surprisingly good (you wouldn't say that growling, death-metal-band-vocalist can sing with such a good technique, though you won't find growling on this alboum), melodic guitar solos, great rythmic section, interesting lyrics. Also there is so much 'fresh air' in the music of Opeth, specially in this album. I was thrilled when I first heard "Damnation"; it is really big adventure from the first notes of "Windowpane", through each song, till the closing "Weakness". I strongly recommend that album to every fans of good music, not only to fans of progressive metal.
After "Blackwater Park" and "Deliverance" were released I've felt like my interest in Opeth's music was running out; not because of the quality of those releases (in fact, they were both inspired in some ways), but because their music was no longer suiting my feelings and emotions, and the moods displayed there were sort of "recycled" from their previous works...so, when I've heard that "Damnation" was a complete change in direction I felt like I should've give them one more try. And my decision was correct, because this is probably the closer you'll ever get to Opeth's real soul: this recordings slide down really deep into the core of emotions, with clean vocals and calm acoustic melodies. The album can be seen as a torment, and the tears you'll cry will melt with the outside rain, I promise! So, If you need "music for the soul" and you like to indulge in melanchony this is your new cd.Read full review
Those of you familiar with Opeth will no doubt be aware of thier "Death Metal" sensibilities. Well, enter Steven Wilson the front man from Porcupine Tree, who both produces and plays on the album and who's conjured an album of great beauty. The album features heavy use of that classic prog rock implement, the mellotron and the lush production coupled with regular vocals rather then Akerfelds usual death metal grunt make this an album for fans of all rock genres and styles. Try it, you wont be disappointed.
Damnation is Opeth at its typically varied best...but with the electric turned off! Where you would expect the roar of deathmetal vocals and strdent guitars, what you get instead is a steady stream of acoustic numbers, showing the band's penchant for old-school Prog! A really great album to chill out to - and the ideal first introduction to Opeth if you think you would be put off by the death vocals on their other releases.