Opeth DVD Spotlights Their Versatility

Artist: Opeth
Title: Lamenations: Live at Shepherd's Bush Empire
Genre: Rock: Symphonic Black Metal, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Death Metal/Black Metal
Format: DVD
Label: Koch Records-www.kochentertainment.com
Website: www.opeth.com

On the DVD Lamenations: Live at Shepherd's Bush Empire. Opeth explores their contrasting sister albums Deliverance (2002), which is their trademark black/death metal and the major departure from that style, Damnation (2003), an album that showed how versatile and talented they were regardless if they changed direction entirely. You get the best of both worlds including a documentary "The Making of Deliverance & Damnation." The documentary sheds some light on all the frustrations the band went through before finally finding the right person and location to work in while recording the albums.

My personal tastes do not encompass the black/death metal realm hence I appreciated the progressive metal-rock segment much more.
I must comment that I do admire this band for taking the necessary steps to broaden their scope and sound. Most bands, particularly those that have a large following as Opeth, would never venture off into another style of music in fear of losing their fan base. As it turned out, it never hurt them one bit, it just brought onboard more listeners that they would have never reached, and that is a good thing.

This was a good DVD for capturing the essence of the band live and how each style of music is so much different. Interestingly enough the audience’s reaction was one of appreciation regardless of what material they presented. What I found jaw dropping was how well they performed each style of music without missing a step. There is no question that this band is one of the more talented units in the world today.

If you like prog-metal or black/death metal, one of the two styles or both, this DVD will be a welcome addition to your collection.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-http://www.muzikreviews.com

April 3, 2004

Tracks:

1. Windowpane
2. In My Name of Need
3. Death Whispered a Lullaby
4. Closure
5. Hope Leaves
6. To Rid the Disease
7. Ending Credits
8. Harvest
9. Weakness
10. Master's Apprentices
11. The Drapery Falls
12. Deliverance
13. The Leper Affinity
14. A Fair Judgment

Documentary

Rating-8/10

Opeth Is:

Mikael Akerfeldt-Vocals/Guitar
Peter Lindgren-Guitars
Martin Mendez-Bass
Martin Lopez-Drums