Not only have Opeth proven they can do prog rock, they have ascended to join the ranks of some of the most prolific and celebrated modern progressive artists.

Some songs are very reminiscent of Symphony X's 'V - new mythology' album, Dio and Rainbow with a hint of Steven Wilson and of course their own twists and ideas.

Overall, all three of the 'new style' Opeth albums are incredibly well written and I am glad they aren't giving in to the pressure to do what people expect of them.

Do what you enjoy guys! There are plenty of screamy metal artists, there are not many progressive artists of this caliber!

Opeth have certainly mellowed, but by god the quality is still there!

An amazing album from Opeth - I would say one of their best. Superbly arranged tracks with a eclectic mix of acoustic and heavy sounds. Certainly different from their earlier work but with a new direction which keeps the band 'fresh' sounding.

It seems Opeth have mellowed, or been kidnapped. While this and the last album are played perfectly, the last one sounded like Jethro Tull, I mean flute solo's, ffs. This one sounds like Ozrics Tentacle. Please bring back Opeth.

It really is quite phenomenal how much Opeth's music has changed over the years. This brings to light exactly what they now stand for. Every song offers something a little different, but they all link together with the same feel, which is exactly what I expect from an album! To sum things up, this album is absolutely great, and even if you're a fan of early Opeth, rather than the more recently reformed Opeth, I highly recommend buying it.

I can't shake off the idea that during the Storm Corrosion sessions, Akerfeldt and Steven Wilson had a red wine fuelled bet to see who could write the best prog album. Wilson came up with "The Raven..." but Akerfekdt won hands down with this.

Opener Eternal Rains... throws us into the middle of a prog maelstrom from which emerges an elegant, Hammond-driven rocker, with Wishbone Ash bass and Laurel Canyon vocal harmonies. Cusp of Eternity is equally brief, insistent and melodic. Akerfeldt's stated intent was to focus on melody, and although the labyrinthine third track takes into familiar gloomy metal epic territory, he can't resist a beautiful vocal melody over the outro.

With the exception of the slightly throwaway Goblin, the rest of the album mixes the lyricism of Damnation with the prog complexity of Heritage to good effect. By the time we get to the closer, Faith in Others, Opeth are channeling Red-era Crimson, in a stunning hint at a further development of the group.

Fans who've drifted away over the last couple of albums might want to drift back. This is their most coherent and compelling release since Blackwater Park.

This is the album of the year. Essential.

Just want to put a word out - read Mooster's review. It quite frankly expresses exactly how I feel about Opeth's latest release, and is perfect in summing up all the major points - I couldn't do a better job! Now onto the actual album, or 'piece of art' should I say...

The first time I listened to Opeth was the whole of 'Morningrise'... And boy, did I fall in love... I loved the way the music seemed so beautiful and emotional yet dark and sorrowful at the same time, the musicianship was incredible and being a great metal fan, they soon became my favourite band...

So that was some 3 years ago, and since I've delved into all of their releases and I love each one for different reasons, as Mr Akerfeldt and crew just produce pure awesomeness! From Damnation to Blackwater Park, I'm a huge fan.

So, after of course Opeth slightly altered their sound and music style on Heritage to a more prog rock sound, I was interested into this release greatly, and must I say has it delivered.

I would've loved to of heard a powerful metal track with loads of amazing riffage and gloomy vocals... But when I think of it, I can just listen to any other band for that. This is Opeth, and always will be (whatever the hell they wanna be!) so I went in open-minded and I can't explain how much this album has grabbed me.

My favourite tracks are 'River' and 'Faith in Others' - but to be honest all tracks are amazing in their own unique way. The new sound they have going (with the effects on instruments and vocals, along with the keyboards) brings a fantastic flavour to each song. I listened to the album in full first time, and I enjoyed it ever so much! Not once did I feel it tedious or 'boring' as some are labelling it... It's a refreshing break from the other music I've been listening to.

One thing I must stress too is the guitar solos... Mike and Fredrik are phenomenal, giving a middle eastern vibe and really hit the sweet spot for me as far as solos go. Once I got to Faith in Others (which drove me into an emotional dream/trance), I didn't want the album to end, yet they couldn't of done it better.

I could go on forever about this album... But know this. Even if you wanted the heaviness, even if you think it's going to be generic or 'boring' 70s prog, even if you don't like Opeth... Please give this one a shot. It truly is one of my favourite albums of all time already. I'm blown away! Thanks for reading, hope I have across how pleased I am with the album.

Must be off, time to revisit a track or two...

Loved it.

Their just isn't any grunt

From these guys anymore: (

Long live deliverance!!!

The forums are fit to bursting with fan and critic opinion and reaction to the latest career curve ball from Opeth, and, as an open minded (and admittedly, bit older) fan, I find it hilarious that people can't accept the decision by Mr. Akerfeldt to move away from the days of the death growl onto a more progressive rock pathway with excitement and good grace. I've been a massive addict of this band since Blackwater Park in 2001 and have absorbed each and every album with utter amazement and delight, and I love the aggressive, death metal side of their catalogue as much as anyone, and sometimes I do yearn for a bit of that, but I promise, if you approach this album with an open mind and the thought that the willingness to break the mould and be 100 times more exciting than most bands out there today is what got you into Opeth in the first place, then this album could take it's place at the top table with the aformentioned BP, Still Life, Deliverence et al as one of your fave Opeth releases. It flows beautifully, and is far more cohesive than previous opus Heritage, and in my opinion contains some of Akerfeldt's strongest writing to date. From the labyrinthian opener Eternal Rains...with it's glorious layered vocal harmonies, to the epic and challenging Moon Above, Sun Below with it's stunning opening riff, straight from Satan's record collection (just cause there's no death growls, don't mean it can't evoke the Devil). Some have criticised Moon Above, .. for being boring and plodding, give it time and open you ears. The album then really open's up into anything goes territory, with prog-tastic instrumental Goblin, sounding just like um...Goblin, the stunning River, evoking an Opeth-ian version of The Moody Blues. The album climaxes with possibly the finest 16 minutes of music your likely to hear this year, starting with Voice of Treason, with cinematic string stabs and urgent drumming and a beautiful central vocal melody, ripping into a massive riff-centred chorus, with a familiar Eastern feel, it's immense. The album finishes on a high, with the gorgeous Faith In Others, which Steven Wilson endorsed as possibly Opeth's finest song so far. While that is subjective, it is probably Opeth's most emotional, beautiful and frankly tear enducing moment to date. The central vocal melody from Mikael is beautifully delivered with a passion and humanity so far unheard, that combined with the slow and lovely string drenched progression, it feels perfectly placed to end a proper opus. Also, the album is littered with the most beautifully constructed guitar solos on any Opeth album so far, just amazing. In summing up, my advice to any disillusioned fan, listen with wonder and an open mind and this will reward you no end. The most exciting thing is you have so many different sides to this band, you really can have your cake and eat it...that and the thought that the next album might be the one where he growls again........

Possibly the greasiest thing they've ever done. It contains the polish and cohesion that Heritage lacked, whilst maintaining it's elegance and progressive heartbeat. No 'death growls' but a whole 'nother type of heavy. It lingers and festers in the most beautiful way, unforgettable.

Well i have heard a promo of the full album and can tell you it is pretty much what we where expecting..........70s prog!!! In short it sounds old and under produced.

I'm afraid our stella days of opeth are over R.I.P

If you like Heritage you will be happy....if you don't then i wouldnt expect to be happy with this album ;0(

I had hoped that the heritage album was glitch in an otherwise epic story, I was wrong. Long live deliverence.

I've played this a few times now and it seems a bit one dimensional to me! There's nothing here to get excited about I'm afraid just hope the rest of the album has something more to offer?

Opeth's heritage album was my first opeth album, so I feel I gained a unique perspective compared to older fans.

It took a few listens to appreciate the way opeth put their songs together, but feel in love with it.

I then started back tracking by purchasing all their back catalogue. And again most albums took a few listens to appreciate, but I was soon falling in love with these amazing albums too. I would have to say Ghost Reveries is my favourite opeth album, as it's mix of sounds and styles really blow me away! So to "cusp of eternity" again I found a few listens (heard it elsewhere before this pre-order) were needed to allow my brain to take in the uniqueness of it. But I gotta say I'm loving the new elements within this song, in particular Mikaels vocals are amazing! I've always found I've lost interest in singers, who just sing exactly the same on every song they do.

But to my mind Mikael is always trying to push his vocals wether clean or growling. So I for one am so excited for the "pale communion" album....