Opeth – Morningrise (1996)

“Eyes attach to your mute portrait
We spoke only through thoughts
Together we gazed, awaited
Hours brought thirst and the rising sun”

Opeth is a name that definitely marks a place for itself in the entire metal scenewith the most unique style of songwriting and undoubtedly the best of all times.The progressive legends have the most extreme musical nature that amazes the listener everytime.

Morningrise is Opeth’s second full length album and one of my all time fav metal albums. Combining the extreme metal music with Death and black metal variations along with folkish and acoustic passages , the album features the best of metal music. Released on June 24th, 1996 through Candlelight Records, the five track album marks a name for itself.

Advent(13:45) is the first track of the album with excellent variations throughout the song following the high low pattern of their songs. Excellent vocals, Bass  also mark the essence of the song. A very good track indeed with a very effective acoustic passage in the end. The Night and the Silent Water (10:58) is the second track and is about the grandfather of Mikael Åkerfeldt, who had died shortly before the recording of the album. For this reason, Åkerfeldt was never comfortable with playing the song live, and even stated in interviews that he did not like it. Later on, he had admitted a change of heart, stating that he believed the song to be a “masterpiece”. The song features some excellent guitars with a mournful feeling throughout it’s length. The acoustic passage is one of the best featured by Opeth. The lyrics feature a mournful theme with a beautiful ending to it.

Nectar (10:09) is the next track that features some excellent Bass playing along with some impressive drumming and riffing. Akerfeldt, is undoubtedly one of the best progressive vocalist of all time. The song features one of opeth’s best outros. Black Rose Immortal (20:48) is one of my all time fav metal tracks that delivers one of the most brutal assault by the band. A masterpiece I must term  that features excellent lyrics, vocals, effective frequent variations throughout and is also one of the best by Opeth. To bid You Farewell(10:56) is the last track of the album and another light but excellent track that quickly connects with the listener. This track is also one of the best by Opeth and is highly appreciated by fans worldwide.

The bridge depicted on the album cover is a Palladian bridge located in Prior Park in Bath, England.

Mikael Akerfeldt: vocals, electric and acoustic guitars
Peter Lindgren: electric and acoustic guitars
Johan DeFarfalla: bass
Anders Nordin: drums and percussion

The first edition comes with a sticker on the jewel case. The bonus track “Eternal Soul Torture” (8:35) can be found on the 2000 re-release and on the double vinyl release by Displeased Records. Also re-released in limited tin box in 2003, with the same bonus as the 2000 release and  is the last Opeth Release with Anders Nordin and Johan De Farfalla as band members as well as the last collaboration between Opeth & Dan Swanö.