History
Opeth was formed in Stockholm, Södermanland, Sweden in 1990 by David Isberg. Isberg invited Mikael Åkerfeldt to join the band at a practice session as a bass player, but failed to inform the current bass player or any of the other members of the band. Because of this, all band members except for Isberg quit, and Åkerfeldt soon joined Opeth after his band, Eruption, faltered. With Åkerfeldt on guitar and David Isberg on vocals, Opeth still lacked members and needing more, they were soon joined by long-time friend of Åkerfeldt and former Eruption drummer Anders Nordin and Nick Döring on bass. Andreas Dimeo was recruited as a second guitarist. Rehearsing in an elementary school with old equipment they had found, this lineup lasted less than a year and only played one show. In 1991 they spent the summer rehearsing on the island of Hamnholmen outside Stockholm with their old school friend and bass player Max Jaderberg, who suggested a more prominent bass sound.
After their first performance, Andreas Dimeo and Nick Döring quit the band. For the second performance, guitarist Kim Pettersson and bassist Johan DeFarfalla joined the group. After the show, DeFarfalla left to spend time with his girlfriend and did not return until 1994. Pettersson stuck with the band for another show before leaving in late 1991. DaFarfall was replaced by Peter Lindgren, playing the bass. However, once Pettersson left, Lindgren returned to the guitar, his original instrument. Isberg left the band in early 1992 due to creative differences and boredom. Since Mikael had previous experience as a vocalist from fronting Eruption, he became the new vocalist and immediately began writing material with Peter Lindgren. They rehearsed as a 3-piece for more than a year but eventually found a new bass player, Stefan Guteklint, who was dismissed by the band before they signed their record contract with Candlelight Records.
Impressed by their originality, Candlelight Records released their debut full-length Orchid in 1995. It featured a rhythm section of bassist Johan DeFarfalla and drummer Anders Nordin. Dan Swanö, of Edge of Sanity fame, produced the band's ambitious second album Morningrise in 1996. After this Opeth embarked on a brief tour with Morbid Angel. Century Media took notice and not only licensed Opeth's first two albums for the United States, but also planned on releasing their next album on both sides of the Atlantic.
The next album would introduce a change in style as well as line-up. With the recruitment of bassist Martin Mendez to replace DeFarfalla and drummer Martin Lopez (ex-Amon Amarth) replacing Nordin, Opeth's third album, entitled My Arms, Your Hearse, was released in 1998 to glowing reviews, establishing the band as a leading force in progressive metal with death roots. The album is conceptually based on a character who dies and returns to Earth as a ghost.
1999's Still Life displayed even more of the band's progressive rock influences, and the following year the band played its first U.S. concert at the Milwaukee Metalfest. This was the first album on which Martin Mendez contributed. Like My Arms, Your Hearse before it, Still Life is also a concept album, revolving around a man who is banished from his village for dissenting religious beliefs. The album then then regals the tale of his courtship of the character Melinda.
Their next album, Blackwater Park, was released in early 2001 and was titled after an obscure psychedelic progressive rock band from the '70s. Blackwater Park is considered to be Opeth's magnum opus and the defining document of their career. The album created a huge buzz among progressive metal fans, who had begun to lump the band in with other experimental metal bands like Tiamat. It was the first of three albums that Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree fame would produce. Wilson also contributed backing vocals and guitar.
Instead of waiting until the buzz died down, the band released Deliverance (also known as D1) in the fall of 2002, which was intended to be a double album, Damnation (or D2) comprising the other half. Deliverance presented the typical death metal aspect of Opeth while Damnation presented a new side of Opeth: the album that was almost completely devoid of any heavy metal trappings and focused instead on acoustic instruments and traditional songwriting. Steven Wilson again contributed by co-authoring one song, Death Whispered a Lullaby, and by providing backing vocals and playing mellotron, piano, electric piano, keyboards, and guitar.
Opeth then released a DVD, "Lamentations", filmed in England during the Damnation Tour, in fall of '03. It featured the Damnation album in its entirety along with some highlights from the previous two albums. Now signed to the major label Roadrunner Records, Opeth's next album Ghost Reveries arrived in 2005 and proved to be a return to form for the band. Shortly before the recordings of this album, Per Wiberg (Spiritual Beggars) officially joined the band to play keyboards, as he did on the tour that supported Damnation. He can also be seen on the "Lamentations" DVD. More lineup changes followed in May of 2006, when long time drummer Martin Lopez left the band due to complications from a rare disease he has. After a short delay, he was replaced by Martin Axe Axenrot, former drummer of Bloodbath.
On May 17th, 2007, an open letter from Peter Lindgren was posted on the official Opeth website where he wrote that he had decided to leave the band. He said that he had lost some of the enthusiasm and inspiration needed to participate in a band that has grown to become a world-wide industry. It was especially the massive amount of touring, and being away from home for long periods of time that caused this decision. "I have come to a point where I realise I won't be able to give the band 100%, and from both sides this will not be good enough for what Opeth stands for." On the same day Fredrik Åkesson (ex-Arch Enemy, Krux) was announced as the new guitar-player and full-time member of Opeth.
In Fall 2007, Opeth released their first live album, The Roundhouse Tapes, recorded in the famous Roundhouse concert hall in Great Britain.
The progressive rock/metal band Dream Theater announced in November of 2007 that Opeth would be joining them on the Progressive Nation 2008 tour. Joining these two bands were Between the Buried and Me and 3.
Opeth's ninth studio album, entitled Watershed was released on June 3, 2008. It was well received by most fans and critics. The first single from the album, Porcelain Heart, was released on April 19th, 2008. The track The Lotus Eater is also available on RoadRunner Record's website for free.
Former members:
* David Isberg – Vocals (1990-1992)
* Andreas Dimeo – Guitar (1991)
* Kim Pettersson – Guitar (1991)
* Johan DeFarfalla – Bass (1991,1994-1996)
* Stefan Guteklint – Bass (1992-1993)
* Mattias Ander – Bass (1992)
* Nick Döring – Bass (1990-1991)
* Anders Nordin – Drums (1990-1997)
* Martin Lopez – Drums (1997-2006)
* Peter Lindgren – Guitars (1991-2007)
Discography:
1995 Orchid
1996 Morningrise
1998 My Arms, Your Hearse
1999 Still Life
2001 Blackwater Park
2002 Deliverance
2003 Damnation
2005 Ghost Reveries
2008 Watershed
2011 Heritage
2014 Pale Communion
2016 Sorceress
2019 In cauda venenum
Official site: Opeth.com
Blackwater Park
Opeth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of the tragedies in man
Lurking in the core of us all
The last dying call for the everlost
Brief encounters, bleeding pain
Lepers coiled ‘neath the trees
Dying men in bewildered soliloquys
Seekers, lost in their quest
Ghost of friends frolic under the waning moon
It is the year of death
Wielding his instruments
Stealth sovereign reaper
Touching us with ease
Infecting the roots in an instant
Burning crop of disease
I am just a spectator
An advocate documenting the loss
Fluttering with conceit
This doesn't concern me yet
Still far from the knell
Taunting their bereavement
Mob round the dead
Point fingers at the details
Probing vomits for more
Caught in unbridled suspense
We have all lost it now
Catching the flakes of dismay
Born the travesty of man
Regular pulse midst pandemonium
You're plucked to the mass
Parched with thirst for the wicked
Sick liaisons raised this monumental mark
The sun sets forever over Blackwater park
The lyrics of Opeth's song Blackwater Park are dark and deeply introspective, exploring the themes of death and tragedy that are inherent in human existence. The song begins with the invocation of the "confessor," who represents the tragedies and conflicts within people that are hidden deep within themselves. This is followed by a description of dying men, lepers, and seekers who are lost in their own quests. The imagery of ghosts frolicking under the waning moon adds to the eerie and foreboding nature of the song.
The second part of the song brings in the idea of death as a sovereign reaper who wields his instruments with ease, infecting the roots of life with an instant crop of disease. The singer of the song, who claims to be just a spectator, documents the loss without any emotional involvement, highlighting the conceit that arises from being disconnected from the tragedies that are unfolding. The song then describes a mob that gathers around the dead, pointing fingers and searching for more gruesome details, caught in unbridled suspense.
The song ends with a poignant declaration that we have all lost something vital, catching the flakes of dismay as regular chaos ensues. The lyrics end with a grim statement about the sun setting forever over Blackwater Park, indicating that there is no hope left in this desolate landscape. Together, the lyrics of Blackwater Park explore the complexities of human existence and the inevitable tragedy that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Confessor
The one who tells the tragedies of mankind.
Of the tragedies in man
The tragedies that are present in humans.
Lurking in the core of us all
Those tragedies are present at the very heart of us.
The last dying call for the everlost
The final message for those who are already lost.
Brief encounters, bleeding pain
Painful, short-lived experiences.
Lepers coiled ‘neath the trees
People suffering from disease and neglect lying under the trees.
Dying men in bewildered soliloquys
Men slowly dying and talking to themselves in confusion.
Perversions bloom round the bend
Distorted things flourishing around the corner.
Seekers, lost in their quest
People who are searching but don't know what they're searching for.
Ghost of friends frolic under the waning moon
The spirits of friends are celebrating under the fading moonlight.
It is the year of death
This is the time when many are dying.
Wielding his instruments
Causing death with deadly tools.
Stealth sovereign reaper
The unseen ruler of death.
Touching us with ease
Killing us without difficulty.
Infecting the roots in an instant
The disease is spreading quickly and deeply.
Burning crop of disease
The illness is destroying everything in its path.
I am just a spectator
I'm not part of this tragedy; I'm just watching.
An advocate documenting the loss
I'm observing and recording the terrible losses.
Fluttering with conceit
Feeling proud and arrogant.
This doesn't concern me yet
I'm not affected by this yet.
Still far from the knell
Not close to death yet.
Taunting their bereavement
Mocking the grief and sadness of others.
Mob round the dead
Crowd gathered around the deceased.
Point fingers at the details
Blaming specific details for the death.
Probing vomits for more
Trying to find more evidence of what happened.
Caught in unbridled suspense
Feeling anxious and uncertain.
We have all lost it now
We all lost something in this tragedy.
Catching the flakes of dismay
Experiencing the initial shock of the loss.
Born the travesty of man
Humanity's tragedy is unfolding.
Regular pulse midst pandemonium
Despite the chaos, there is still some sense of order.
You're plucked to the mass
Being forced to be part of a larger group.
Parched with thirst for the wicked
Desperately wanting some sort of revenge or justice.
Sick liaisons raised this monumental mark
Unhealthy relationships led to this tragic event.
The sun sets forever over Blackwater park
This terrible event will have a lasting impact on the area.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MIKAEL LARS AKERFELDT, SVEN PETER MALCOLM LINDGREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ManateeMentality
This song. So many amazing riffs. Just so many. It’s incredible.
0:07 Riff 1
1:15 Riff 2 !!!
1:59 Riff 3 !!!
5:14 Riff 4 !!!
6:02 Riff 5
6:36 Riff 6
6:58 Riff 7 !!!
7:21 Riff 6 (again)
7:44 Riff 8
8:07 Riff 9
9:15 Riff 8 (again)
9:43 Riff 10 !!!
10:57 Riff 11
@diegonazquiroz1537
Confessor
Of the tragedies in man
Lurking in the core of us all
The last dying call for the everlost
Brief encounters, bleeding pain
Lepers coiled ‘neath the trees
Dying men in bewildered soliloquys
Perversions bloom round the bend
Seekers, lost in their quest
Ghost of friends frolic under the waning moon
It is the year of death
Wielding his instruments
Stealth sovereign reaper
Touching us with ease
Infecting the roots in an instant
Burning crop of disease
I am just a spectator
An advocate documenting the loss
Fluttering with conceit
This doesn't concern me yet
Still far from the knell
Taunting their bereavement
Mob round the dead
Point fingers at the details
Probing vomits for more
Caught in unbridled suspense
We have all lost it now
Catching the flakes of dismay
Born the travesty of man
Regular pulse midst pandemonium
You're plucked to the mass
Parched with thirst for the wicked
Sick liaisons raised this monumental mark
The sun sets forever over Blackwater park
@gaborkrausz5402
I really like the riff between 0:06 and 12:13
@laoude7890
yeah, the first 5 seconds really sucks.
@drewpeterson9236
@@laoude7890 Even the first 5 seconds are amazing. That buildup gives chills
@gaborkrausz5402
@@drewpeterson9236 Ye
@frowningJoker
That's like...the whole song man
@dallasdavis5765
@@frowningJoker name checks out
@francismcalister7811
I feel this song alone has more good riffs than many metal bands' entire discographies
@powerslop7941
Hi, I really like Dream Theater oh hey there's a crevice........
@mattherbert6668
You didn't just compare opeth to dream theatre.......🤦 Open your ears, absolutely nothing like each other. They have long songs that's about it. Both are fucking awesome though don't get me wrong but I'd suggest a delve into opeths back catalogue if that's honestly what you think.
@powerslop7941
I was referring to Dream Theaters discography more than anything.