Band:	Opeth
Album:	Morningrise
Style:	Extreme progressive metal
Release date:	June 24, 1996
Guest review by:	ToMegaTherion

01. Advent
02. The Night And The Silent Water
03. Nectar
04. Black Rose Immortal
05. To Bid You Farewell
06. Eternal Soul Torture [2000 reissue bonus]

Many questions have been asked of the style and coherence of Opeth's music. Yet despite the debate and questioning Opeth remain one of the world's leading metal bands. The first of a long line of excellent albums by Opeth was released following their debut Orchid the year before. Morningrise is often regarded as the defining album for the band with a diverse range of sounds, often confusing in composition but nevertheless contrived expertly. It is an epic album full of epic songs, with elements of Death Metal and acoustic blues to mix things up. The album progresses and weaves through a barrage of riffs, solos and an undying unprecedented patience and passion for the music expressed by Mikael Akerfeldt.

As with many early albums of metal bands the production is probably the biggest problem, with the sound being not quite as clear and crisp as the later works of Opeth. Despite the brilliance of the sound and obvious skill in the compositions, you do sometimes need patience to truly enjoy Morningrise. I think this is why the album along with other early Opeth albums isn't rated quite as highly as Still Life, Blackwater Park and others. Patience as a musician and patience as a listener of a musician should never cross over. A musician can have that patience as Mikael Akerfeldt does and yet leave some listeners bored and wondering 'when the hell is he going to get to the point?' This is an art and an illusion very difficult for progressive musicians to overcome, often taking years or in some cases decades.

Morningrise remains a masterpiece in the eyes of many fans; it is a transition album, one of learning and experimenting. Yet it still remains a pleasure to listen too, the song are full of intricate melodies and sound that is best enjoyed by shutting you eyes in order to take into account the complexities and the outstanding poetry through the lyrics. As with many Opeth albums the vocabulary is slightly above average, while not overpowering. Often with Opeth it is the subtleties that make them what they are, they create imagery with their music and through their lyrics that few if any others can replicate.