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MetalBite Review by Jack on 6/30/2001

Many questions arose after Opeth’s second release “Morningrise”, commonly following the same thread of: “How in fuck’s name did they release a second completely spellbinding and epic adventure in progressive death/doom/black/goth metal?” There is of course no true answer, probably the best assumption to make is: “It’s Opeth, expect the best and you get the best.”

“Morningrise” 5 songs, 66 minutes of CD spinning fun. Equating to approximately 13 minutes a song. 'Black Rose Immortal', completely tips the scales in conventional song length, clocking in at 20 minutes and 14 seconds. Some may be frightened of this overly lengthy song structures that Opeth employees. Rest assured though, that not one song is in the least bit tiresome or boring. In drawing comparisons between “Orchid”, “Morningrise” features longer songs and fewer of them. Whereas “Orchid” was complete with 2 interludes, “Morningrise” did away with these short passages in favour of longer and perhaps (dare I say?) more epic compositions. Responsible for these tunes are the same team that was present on “Orchid”; Mikael Åkerfeldt, Peter Lindgren, Johan DeFarfalla and Anders Nordin.

Production values are once again high for Opeth, the album being engineered by Dan Swanö.
Opeth have gone for a noticeably more subdued and less heavy sound quality in “Morningrise”, indicative of this is the resplendent acoustic track in ‘To Bid You Farewell’, one of my highlights of the album. The album still retains the trademark Opethian sound, with staying a little more on the lighter side of metal, than what “Orchid” accomplished.

I’m going to try not to blow smoke up Opeth’s ass when describing the music of “Morningrise”, but this will remain an extremely difficult task, as I view this as one of metal’s finest releases, ever. Lyrically Opeth speak in a rather decadent, flowery poetic language that I haven’t been in contact with for a number of years. Fantasy and naturalistic elements are the norm throughout an Opeth track. “Lullaby of the crescent moon took you. Mesmerized, its kaleidoscopic face.” Courtesy of ‘Black Rose Immortal’. One of the major-drawing facets (of the many) is Opeth’s ability to complete encompass the listener within their world, to spellbind you and transport you to a different realm. This ability is sorely lacking in 99% of today’s music.
The music of “Morningrise” contains a far greater proportion of clean vocals and acoustic passages than what was present in their last outing. These more ‘accessible’ parts really help break up, what otherwise might be a stagnant, monotonous record. It is difficult to pick the best tracks from this disc (again with any of Opeth’s releases). ‘Black Rose Immortal’, however, probably gets my thumbs up, if just for the sheer diversity present throughout it’s 20 minutes. Harsh death vocals, thunderous guitar riffs one second. Transpiring a second later are melodious clean vocals entwined with lovely acoustic passages. Timeless and unbeatable.

Bottom Line: One of the best debuts ever in extreme metal circles has been easily followed up by Opeth. “Morningrise” is Opeth’s finest opus in their 5-album history. Brilliant and essential.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Submitted by jimtheunholy@hotmail.com on 10/12/2001

(The above review is excellent.)

I am a widely listened metalhead. Of all the bands on this review page, I have not listened to maybe half a dozen...

This is my favourite album.

'Nuff said.

Submitted by Keyzer Soze on 1/5/2003

I've never listened to metal 'till I was given this album by a friend. The album is amazing and dispite the fact I didn't like metal than it blew me away! The song writing and lirics are amazing! They are both emotional and harsh. One of my favorite disks, with I always have with me.

Submitted by Scott Tinnerman on 2/15/2003

The landscape of this record is like a flowing stream beside and a sweeping meadow of evil and beauty. Opeth represent every musical paradox. They play each note to perfection armed with one of the most clear and professional production jobs I have yet to hear on a metal album. The atmosphere, the beauty, and the epic nature of this cd make it essential in every metalheads collection.

10 out of 10

Submitted by Pommerdepom on 4/7/2004

This album contains 5 songs. Not so much.....But if you know Opeth you know that you'll get quality. Mot of the songs on this album are over the ten minutes. 'Black Rose Immortal' lasts 20 minutes. So there you have it! Your whole album!

I cannot comparish Opeth with other bands. That's simply not possible because the muzic is so complex and beautiful at the same time. The riffs are build on the emotional level, and sometimes Mikael (vocalist/guitars) doesn't even hav eto sing/growl to put in his emotions. The music speaks for itself enduring the entire album. Their music contains electric guitars and acoustic guitars, which are pput in just at the right moment. Just when the album is starting to get more
death-metal-like they come out with this great acoustic part which send shivers down my spine. The voice of Mikael is beautiful and heavy at the same time. When he puts in his melodic singing he is the tranquillity itself. His grunt is also one of the better ones (the end of Black Rose Immortal!). If Mikael wasn't the leadsinger of this band they would never came so far as they came.
The drums on 'Morningrise' are pounded by Anders Nordin. His ound is sometimes very jazzy but fits the music great.
Bass-player Johan DeFaralla probably hangs out with Anders because they both sound jazzy at times during the album. That's not a negativity , because it defines the originality of Opeth. Peter Lindgren is the second guitarist of the band and he does a great job also. His riffing combined with the riffing of Mikael is sound really great.

On this album you can experience the real beuty of music.......