Opeth - Morningrise (Bonus Track Edition) [1996] [2003]

Morningrise is the second studio album by Swedish progressive death metal band Opeth. It was released on June 24, 1996 in Europe by Candlelight Records and on June 24, 1997 in the United States by Century Black. The recording sessions took place at Unisound studio, in Örebro, between March and April 1996, and once more the band produced alongside Dan Swanö. This was the last Opeth album produced by Swanö. This is also the last Opeth release with Anders Nordin and Johan De Farfalla as band members.

While they have taken a different approach with each album, Opeth has a very distinct and instantly recognizable sound: somber, mysterious, and very serious. Their style falls at a meeting point between melodic Swedish death metal and '70s progressive rock, though without any of the technical busyness that description might imply. Morningrise is, as far as the metal scale goes, possibly their least heavy album; it also contains their longest songs – just five of them, ranging in length from ten to 20 minutes. The tracks all take their time developing, shifting back and forth from full-on metal sections (marked by distorted dual guitar riffs and growling vocals) to calm, acoustic guitar-based passages with more softly sung vocals. These shifts happen much like scenes changes in a movie, as there is very little repetition within the songs, and there are sometimes distinct pauses separating one section from the next. In fact, given the strongly narrative lyrics (which primarily revolve around the subject of a lost lover), the tracks here could best be described as miniature audio movies. This is a very painstakingly put-together album, and listeners will have to have some patience in order to mentally piece it all together. Some will be turned off by the long songs and the cold, gray atmosphere the album gives off, but for those who are on this band's wavelength and willing to show some patience, this album will repay many, many repeat listens. ~ William York, Rovi All Music Guide



Track listing

1. "Advent" 13:45
2. "The Night and the Silent Water" 10:59
3. "Nectar" 10:09
4. "Black Rose Immortal" 20:15
5. "To Bid You Farewell" 10:54
6. "Eternal Soul Torture" (demo, bonus track on reissue CD and LP only) 8:35






Personnel:

Mikael Åkerfeldt – vocals, lead guitar
Peter Lindgren – rhythm guitar
Johan DeFarfalla – bass guitar
Anders Nordin – drums, percussion




Production:

Opeth – production, mixing, mastering, artwork
Dan Swanö – production, engineering, mixing
Peter In De Betou – mastering
Tuija Lindström – photography
Lennart Kaltea – photography
Tom Martinsen – artwork