It’s not always easy being an Opeth fan. They are one of the most challenging and diverse bands in heavy music. You never not what they will put out from one album to next which as a fan is extremely exciting, but even with that in mind, I don’t think anyone could have predicted what was coming with their latest The Last Will And Testament.
Conceptually this is one of Opeth’s wildest swings. An 8 track album with the first 7 being dubbed as paragraphs and the 8th and final track being a soul stirring ballad all tied together to tell a story set during World War 1 around the reading of a will left behind by a mysterious Patriarch and all of the things that are left behind in his wake.
I find like with most of Opeth’s headier, more ambitious albums it is best to approach this one as a singular body of work. Top to bottom, one sitting and treat §1 – §7 as its own suite and then A Story Never told as the closing chapter or epilogue, as this will provide the most enriching experience.
Fans of the bands more death metal leanings will surely be delighted here. Mikael Åkerfeldt’s trademark growls permeate throughout the album, most notably on §1 and the huge sounding §5 which is arguably the album’s heaviest moment. §3 is undeniably catchy as it bounces along, sounding like Ghost in their earlier days. It is one of the album’s genuine highlights with a sublime main vocal and a great use of strings.
Flute and strings are a recurring element throughout the album giving the whole thing a more haunted otherworldly vibes. Amongst all the chaos and the albums heavier moments these musical punctuations really stand out and there are times when it sounds like a soundtrack to a lost 70s Horror film.
Opeth are such a force of nature as a band that they have managed to mould every possible facet of what they do into a cohesive sound, while layering on new elements and have got it all work without any of it sounding contrived or out of place. This is a full blood representation of all that they are and all that they can be.
The Last Will And Testament is A Maelstrom of majestic musicality and meticulously layered storytelling. Another bold statement from a band that has built their artistic empire on the bricks of staggering creativity and risk taking. This is an album that rewards listeners who are willing to invest their time in it. The lore and story behind the album will be pore over and dissected for years to come. Opeth not only one of the year’s best albums but also one of the very best of their entire career.
The Last Will And Testament is out now via Reigning Phoenix Music. For more information on Opeth click here
