Review | Opeth – The Last Will And Testament

Reigning Phoenix Music

`The Last Will and Testament’ by Opeth is a triumphant return to form that seamlessly blends the band‘s death metal roots with their more recent progressive rock explorations. It is severely heavy on the heart with intense progressive structures clanged in the sonic realms of their elusive past. The album is set against the backdrop of post-World War I Europe, and is a conceptual masterpiece weaving a haunting tale full of family secrets and shocking revelations through the paragraphs of a wealthy patriarch’s final testament, perfectly outlined by the band’s capabilities to create a grim and dark sound palate embellishing the lamenting doom of the story.

A TOUR THE FORCE OF PROGRESSIVE DEATH METAL

From the opening notes, it’s clear that Opeth crafted something special. The much-anticipated return of Mikael Åkerfeldt‘s deep signature grunts are handled with finesse, never overpowering but rather enhancing the album’s dramatic narrative. These harsh vocals, for a fair part absent from the band’s last four studio releases, are deployed strategically, adding gravitas to the album’s heavier moments and darker themes. It displays the band’s constant thrive exploring the sonic specter of past and present.

Musically, `The Last Will and Testament’ is a tour de force of progressive death metal. The band again effortlessly shifts between crushing riffs and lavishing solos, intricate acoustic passages, and expansive prog rock soundscapes. Standout moments include a surprising and unexpected harp solo and guest appearances, such as Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson lending his iconic flute to several tracks. It’s this fine-tuned feeling for detail enriching the brooding atmosphere without straying. It works! Elements like this showcase Opeth’s willingness to push boundaries while staying true to their core sound.

A ROCK-SOLID MULTI-FACED FOUNDATION

And man; this core sound is action packed heavy. Amidst the brooding dark elements, the drums are downright spectacular and the bass lines growl deep, underlining the elemental dynamics of both, the story and the music. Salvos are fired with tom and floor dynamics deployed to kick up the dust. Martín Méndez and Martin Axenrot lay down a rock-solid multi-faceted foundation, while Fredrik Åkesson‘s guitar work ranges from delicate to ferocious, often within the same song. Åkerfeldt’s clean vocals are as emotive as ever, providing a perfect counterpoint to his guttural growls. He evokes the right tone and gloom for the lyrical content to land.

This content is what truly sets `The Last Will and Testament’ apart from the past projects, its innate dark storytelling. Each track, or ‘paragraph’, peels back another layer of the central mystery, keeping listeners engaged throughout the album’s runtime. From the patriarch and his potential heirs to the family’s infertile bloodline, the introduction of a maid and unexpected twins, and a girl in a wheelchair with polio, to the dark climatic ending of the story. There’s gloom and doom, and Opeth’s music perfectly complements the narrative, with heavier sections underscoring moments of tension and softer passages providing emotional depth. Textural it all goes deep, and some virtuoso jazzy interplay is worked out with progressive prowess in best metallic form. Grim sections are balanced with lush moments, all blending the mood swings inside the story. I just don’t want to give away too much here….

The album’s production is immaculate, allowing each instrument room to breathe while maintaining a cohesive, often cinematic atmosphere. It clings to the content and storyline cinematically.

OPETH – THE CONCLUSION

Opeth has delivered an album that will satisfy long-time fans while potentially winning over new listeners. It’s a perfect amalgamation of their death metal past and progressive present, wrapped in a compelling conceptual package. `The Last Will and Testament’ stands as a tour-de-force to Opeth’s enduring creativity and musical prowess, forging their status as one of metal’s most innovative and respected acts. Much like `Dark Side of the Moon’ and `Operation: Mindcrime’, Opeth’s grandiose concept album will land deep and prove timeless.

Release date: 22 November 2024