It’s been quite a while since I have been genuinely excited for a new Opeth album! Don’t get me wrong, Sorceress and In Cauda Venenum had their moments, but I’m an old school Opeth fan, I could put on Blackwater Park, Damnation or Deliverance any time! Well, get excited because the latest album The Last Will & Testament is here and it has that special something that the older fans have been wanting back in the mix for years, the death growl! That’s right, Mikael is screaming once again!
This album is a concept piece, about a gentleman from the post-World War I era, who’s last will and testament is being read to his children and an adopted orphan. I have only read a few of the track lyrics, what has been released so far, and Opeth tells a story well. I am eager to read the rest of the album, or I will just have it on repeat and figure it out as I go, you know, like the old days before The Google! Right from the opening note of Section 1 to the closing note of the epilogue titled, A Story Never Told, you know this is an Opeth album, you know this is a good Opeth album, it has the familiar production and album sound as well as that unbelievable atmosphere that you know they can create.
The biggest change for the band and this album is the addition of Walt Varynen, previously of Paradise Lost and Bodom After Midnight, which is a couple of incredible bands to have on your resume. This is his first album with Opeth and yet, it sounds like he has been writing with them for years, the change blends in seamlessly, it’s incredible.
The album kicks off with Section 1, which immediately sets the tone with some classic Opeth riffs, dark intricate and moody, reminiscent of the older albums. It’s the perfect way to ease the listener into the experience, blending nostalgia and a new perspective, which will hopefully bring some of the pre-Heritage fans back on board. Mikael Akerfeldt’s vocals are always a highlight for me, and he is in fine form, the death growl, which every fan has been crying for returning and having it sound as good as ever! This is what you want!
This is Opeth’s 14th album, and speaking earlier of a nostalgic feel, it has that Opeth sound of playing between the light and the dark. The transitions from growling, heavy sections to the delicate, acoustic driven sounds are flawless, it reminds me of Ghost Reveries. Section 2 has this riff that is a straight-up, four-to-the-floor, hard rock riff that feels like it could be played for days without ever getting old. It’s a masterclass in dynamic songwriting, something Opeth has always excelled at.
Listening to The Last Will & Testament is like reconnecting with an old friend, maybe not one from your distant past like Blackwater Park, but more like someone from the Ghost Reveries or Watershed era. The album has that same comfortable familiarity, full of twists and turns, but never predictable. Opeth has always been a band that rewards patience, and this album is no different. Each listen I found new layers and new intricacies to appreciate.
The Last Will & Testament is a remarkable return to form for Opeth. It has the perfect balance between their progressive edge and the heavier elements that defined their earlier work. It may not be Deliverance or Blackwater Park, but it will be interesting to see where fans put this album against the rest. For long-time fans, this album feels like the one we’ve been waiting for. For newer listeners, it offers an excellent entry point into the world of Opeth, a world filled with darkness, light, and everything in between.