HERITAGE is, as described by the band an ode to their musical inspirations. Fittingly, the album features vintage guitar tones reminiscent of the 70’s and 80’s. Also, the vocals are entirely clean without even a hint of a growl being present. The album marks the last album with long time keyboard player Per Wiberg. His replacement is Joakim Svalberg who plays the piano on the title track which also opens the album. THE DEVIL'S ORCHARD is the second track. The song with its spiraling riffs and punchy drumming by Martin Axenrot is perhaps the most heaviest song on the album. With a psychedelic video straight from the 70’s this song is a delight for trippers. Next up is I FEEL THE DARK, a masterful velvety smooth effort which is comfortable in its choking lyrics. A personal favourite and arguably the best song on the disc!
SLITHER is the next track and DEEP PURPLE fans will no doubt identify the riffing on this particular song. NEPENTHE is the next composition. It features a fusion of sounds ranging from Jazz inspired sequences to pacy solos by Fredrik Akesson, straight out of his ARCH ENEMY days. HAXPROCESS is the next song, a very subtle composition full of deft touches which are not very obvious at the first listening. Surprisingly, HAXPROCESS stands for ‘witch trial’ in Swedish. FAMINE is next on the tracklist. Here the band goes into full-on Progressive Rock mode, with no less than a flute being played. THE LINES ON MY HAND is a mid-tempo song with increasing pace towards the end of the song. FOLKLORE follows and is perhaps the song which most die-hard OPETH fans will cherish the most. It can be divided into two clear halves with Martin Mendez’s bass overpowering virtually everything else on the track during the second half. One of the most talented and unique bass players of this generation, Martin Mendez produces his trademark bass lines on HERITAGE as well. The album ends with the instrumental, THE MARROW OF THE EARTH. The song leaves you feeling hollow, and an almost inexpressible feeling which only OPETH can give.
HERITAGE is as audacious a transition as there can be for a band. OPETH is perhaps the only band which could have pulled it off in the manner that they have. This album reflects the personal musical growth of the band members and particularly the front man, Mikael Akerfeldt. HERITAGE takes multiple listening to really sink in. There are passages in the album where one feels a little growling would have been good, but having said that it is noteworthy the expertise and genius with which the album has been created. In the words of Mikael Akerfeldt, ‘Just because a song is silent, doesn’t mean it is less evil.’
Bottom Line
An audacious deviation from established musical styles, HERITAGE is a Folk/ Progressive Metal masterpiece which takes days to sink in and ages to fade out!
