Opeth - The Last Will And Testament

Written by ivulv on 01.12.2024 at 11:01

Darn it, songs aren't just called 'track...', but they sound it too. Ok, track 4, titled exactly 4 has flute and growls. On every darned "track" there's 7 variations. Verdict: boring, uninspired, unengaging. Probably the worst Opeth album in the discography. Also the gents in the promo suit the music. They look like a bunch of tsarists and bolsheviks meeting at the winter palace to record a testament on tape. I am too young for this shit.

So this album is the "worst thing ever"?! Questionable rating, this album is far from the worst rating ever. A vote of 4 or 5 sums up your description better.

Written by John_Doe on 01.12.2024 at 11:29

Written by ivulv on 01.12.2024 at 11:01

Darn it, songs aren't just called 'track...', but they sound it too. Ok, track 4, titled exactly 4 has flute and growls. On every darned "track" there's 7 variations. Verdict: boring, uninspired, unengaging. Probably the worst Opeth album in the discography. Also the gents in the promo suit the music. They look like a bunch of tsarists and bolsheviks meeting at the winter palace to record a testament on tape. I am too young for this shit.

So this album is the "worst thing ever"?! Questionable rating, this album is far from the worst rating ever. A vote of 4 or 5 sums up your description better.

I've increased to 3. No way this gets a passing grade.

Written by ivulv on 01.12.2024 at 11:44

I've increased to 3. No way this gets a passing grade.

A rating of 4 means "bad" and 5 means "not good". I'd rate a 5 an album i find mediocre. Oh well...

Ok, I just cannot keep silent here anymore here. I'm a big Opeth fan, of 2001-2006 era, early albums not that much, Watershed and 'jazzy' era - some good songs here and there, but nothing close to early 2000th for me. I didn't expect anything from this album, but after a few spins I find it very enjoyable. Starting from Heritage I can select some songs on each record to compile an excellent Opeth album, but TLWAT is more complete and nicely summarize for me the last 17 years of Opeth. Great job.

PS. So I agree with the guy with unpopular opinion that this is better than Watershed for me

Written by John_Doe on 01.12.2024 at 12:23

Written by ivulv on 01.12.2024 at 11:44

I've increased to 3. No way this gets a passing grade.

A rating of 4 means "bad" and 5 means "not good". I'd rate a 5 an album i find mediocre. Oh well...

I rate new Avatarium singles higher than Opeth's last album. Disprove me.

Written by ivulv on 02.12.2024 at 16:44

Written by John_Doe on 01.12.2024 at 12:23

Written by ivulv on 01.12.2024 at 11:44

I've increased to 3. No way this gets a passing grade.

A rating of 4 means "bad" and 5 means "not good". I'd rate a 5 an album i find mediocre. Oh well...

I rate new Avatarium singles higher than Opeth's last album. Disprove me.

I don't have to disprove you. I also have not heard the new Avatarium singles, I will express an opinion once I listen.

Written by ivulv on 02.12.2024 at 16:44

I rate new Avatarium singles higher than Opeth's last album. Disprove me.

It is both impossible and pointless to try to disprove someone's opinions about something as subjective as music. That being said "The Long Black Waves" is a straight 10.

Still deciding my thoughts, but noticed something with my Opeth preferences.

If I want to sit down with vinyl and intentionally listen, without distractions, then I much prefer releases from "Oldpeth" (GR or before). It's the emotional element that elevates them. They just hit so hard.

I don't hate listening to "Newpeth" albums this way, but I find it hard to do so because I just end up wanting to switch to an earlier release.

However, I've found that the newer albums are enjoyable in other situations, like when I'm listening with less attention. I've enjoyed listening to ICV and PC while I'm working, for example. There are enough cool moments to grab my attention randomly, but the compositions also work nicely to blend into the background when needed.

Haven't spent enough time with the new album to place it in either category. Not saying I only listen to them like this, but I've found that's how the difference in emotional impact has presented itself for me personally.

Written by Daniell on 02.12.2024 at 18:44

Written by ivulv on 02.12.2024 at 16:44

I rate new Avatarium singles higher than Opeth's last album. Disprove me.

...That being said "The Long Black Waves" is a straight 10.

Hell yeah

I miss the Martin Lopez, Peter Lindgren days.

Written by ivulv on 02.12.2024 at 16:44


I rate new Avatarium singles higher than Opeth's last album. Disprove me.

Well, that's easy to disprove since you haven't rated any Avatarium releases.

Solid record, but the fact the growls are back doesn't help that I still can't take much of this too proggy vibe.

Actually I think the songs are too short, they get into some very good riff and mood and suddenly it shifts to something else.
It's way better than previous album so they're going in the right direction I think.

Tracks 4, 5 and 6 are actually good. The rest are boring tbh. I think it is an average album as a whole, but those 3 tracks are ones of the very few I liked after Watershed.

Finally got to listen to this, as I got the limited edition boxset! I am not disappointed! Extreme variety on the album, and it needs a lot of spins for sure to grasp everything that's in there. Can't wait to put the needle on this again!

Best release from them in ages, at least since Ghost Reveries, possibly even BWP

Written by ivulv on 04.02.2025 at 15:54

Can't we have a collection option apart from the 3 (got it/want it/like it) called: I don't want it?

No.

Easily their best album since Ghost Reveries, I honestly thought I'd never enjoy a new album from them. The story is not the most exciting but they made it work!

Written by ivulv on 04.02.2025 at 15:54

Can't we have a collection option apart from the 3 (got it/want it/like it) called: I don't want it?

Based on your ridiculous voting "behaviour", I assume you're just trolling here.

Written by ivulv on 01.12.2024 at 11:01

Darn it, songs aren't just called 'track...', but they sound it too. Ok, track 4, titled exactly 4 has flute and growls. On every darned "track" there's 7 variations. Verdict: boring, uninspired, unengaging. Probably the worst Opeth album in the discography. Also the gents in the promo suit the music. They look like a bunch of tsarists and bolsheviks meeting at the winter palace to record a testament on tape. I am too young for this shit.

Wrong. The tracks are called "paragraphs". At least be accurate when you bash an album.

Written by Erik M. 2.0 on 05.02.2025 at 21:14


Wrong. The tracks are called "paragraphs". At least be accurate when you bash an album.

Ok, the album is a parody 😀 From Greek, meaning that it imitates their previous works with ridicule.

Written by ivulv on 08.02.2025 at 08:38

Ok, the album is a parody 😀 From Greek, meaning that it imitates their previous works with ridicule.

That's just your opinion. The band members are proud of this record, so no, the album is not a parody. That being said, it's far from my favourite Opeth release. I think it's better than all previous post-Watershed albums except for PC (as it has some really excellent tracks). But all pre-Watershed albums are simply better than this one.

This album is not a return to their old style like everyone is saying. If you think that this is the case, then you're not really listening or you don't know the band well. It's a return of growls and the style is heavier and more technical, but I still hear their new style in this album, all the time. Not that you were implying any of this, but I wanted to share my thoughts.

The album title would be good for a final album. I assume it isn't though?

Honestly it's a solid album. The last few efforts have been a little lacking by Opeth standards, but they were still good albums for those that like the proggy feel. I must admit it's nice to hear some growls though. I've definitely missed that side of Opeth. As much as I appreciate the psychedelic approach of recent albums it's always felt like Opeth were missing the punch that made everything from Orchid to Ghost Reveries great. And I don't think it's just the growls because Damnation didn't have a single growl and very little distortion and it was a great album, it's the almost whimsical song writing of the last few albums that has overall lacked emotional punch (which is noticeably different present here).

It's not their best album by any means, but it's definitely the best in a good while. And hopefully a sign of things to come.

By far their best pure prog album. Best listened to as a single piece than as "songs".

Okayish album. Was expecting a bit more variety. Number 4 and 7 were noteworthy.

I think this is their best album since Ghost Reveries, the last song "A Story Never Told" is amazing and that ending guitar solo is positively divine. Probably not the most "metal" thing to admit on this site but I did break down the first few times I listened to it.