OPETH

20 years of band history in OPETH sees the singer Mikael Åkerfeldt still feeling like 20 and having joined the band for the inverted cross in the band’s logo *lol*

To celebrate its 20th anniversary :: OPETH :: set up something really special. Only 6 shows around the world (Sweden, Germany, France UK and USA), with a very special 3 hrs lasting show in two chapters. Swedish finest in progressive Death Metal announced to play the entire Blackwater Park album first, which marks the band international breakthrough, and a best-of set through all other eight records in the second half.

To live up to the occasion, OPETH also chose special locations. In Germany the show took place at the Lichtburg, a likewise legendary and most of all historic building in Essen’s city and also Germany’s biggest motion-picture theater. It is really an awesome location with a huge balcony, a real stage and cuddly seats. There one can also experience a long extinct species called usher ;) A lot of special events take place at this location, but I guess attendees are mostly clothed differently and do not leave so much hair on the pillow ;)
That raises the question: how to live and experience metal when sitting? And what about the sound in such a location?

:: pics ::

At the end it was about OPETH to be patient *lol* The show was sold out and since it was not allowed to take any bottles inside it took some time till the fans went into. Besides, the merchandise got almost overran. Finally the last gong was hit and OPETH opened the evening after a short intro and frenetic applause with The Leper Affinity. There is no need to introduce OPETH here, neither their technical skill, nor their composing capabilities and efforts. With hindsight Blackwater Park is surely the most distinctive and most successful album in the band history; insofar it’s just consequent to play this album in its entirety.

As for me OPETH are also just the most musical band in this scene. Not in the sense of a frantic stage performance, but you can feel how much the musicians animate every single note, how much heart and soul, passion and commitment was put in every song. And despite of their progressiveness and complexity, the music is harmonically flowing in such a unique way, rarely any other band is capable. That is always again deeply impressing.
Though it was kind of an odd situation. To sit there did not necessarily negate the live atmosphere, yet rose some sort of a distance to the audience. Sounds silly, I know, but it is like watching a 3D movie at home on the sofa instead on a huge screen in a cinema. Seems like I shared my feelings with some other fans. A couple of them just stood up and started headbanging in the central corridor. Not the best solution either… Likewise unusual was the fact that Mikael Åkerfeldt did not say any word during the first part of his live performance. As is known, he is such a sweet entertainer…
To express it the most positive way: the first part of this show was made to sink into, to enjoy undisturbed and with full of devotion. Sound was awesome, only some acoustic passages made the speakers a little bit crackling. Before getting into the last song Blackwater Park, Mikael announced a 10 minutes intermission afterwards. And then the first 1 ¼ hrs of playing time were over. Time flew…
Setlist Part 1: The Leper Affinity, Bleak, Harvest, The Drapery Falls, Dirge For November, The Funeral Portrait, Patterns In The Ivy, Blackwater Park

Getting into part two, one thing got quickly clear: OPETH would play one song from each other album in a chronological order. Consequently they kicked off with Forest Of October from the debut record Orchid, followed by Advent and April Ethereal. It was really great to see these old songs performed again, especially, since one could now follow the musical development from song to song.
Also the vow of silence was finally over and Mikael Åkerfeldt was entertaining us between the songs with lots of funny stories. His bone-dry humor never failed and scored by making everybody laugh. He told us that he only joined OPETH for the inverted cross in the band’s name, what he found pretty cool, or how the first rehearsal with bass player Martin Mendez went on. He also let us know that there is no original member in the band anymore, which must be quite frustrating for them now for not taking part in this anniversary experience ;) Some time later he made a voting for Accept versus Scorpions and was as surprised as I was about the result (Scorpions won – and so came out as an Accept fan…).
To be long-lasting seated took its toll and caused some fatigue among the audience, especially since the seats were really comfortable. Furthermore I have to admit that you can well hear out that OPETH have found its very own style and just skillfully vary it at late songs. Structures and melodies on harmonies and acoustic passages strikingly matched. Of course on an extremely high level. That is not any new but significantly to notice this night.
In hindsight I found the songs repertory, especially the newer ones, not soooo successful. Besides I wish they would have played more songs from my secret fave Still Life, which of course would not have suited the concept tonight as clearly I’m aware of.
Before setting in with Lotus Eater Mikael Åkerfeldt announced that this would be the very last song and the band leaving afterwards. Well, seems like the audience did not take him too serious but dream on! Despite of standing ovations and screams for encores OPETH did not come back. I found that strange. I mean, I a, aware of that the show was very long. OPETH played for almost 3 hours, but leaving without any encore is pretty weird for a metal concert. The audience anyway would have deserved another song ;)
Setlist Part 2: Forest Of October, Advent, April Ethereal, The Moor, Wreath, Hope Leaves, Reverie/Harlequin Forest, The Lotus Eater

To summarize: it was truly an amazing evening! OPETH does not count wrongly to the league of the best live bands of this planet. And not even the most nontypical circumstances will change that. Most people made the best out of this and enjoyed the music as they would have done it back home: with closed eyes completely sink into the sound cosmos of the Swedes.
But, as long as I not went on pension and can still walk and stand I prefer the common way of metal shows ;)
For this solemn occasion I found idea and concept of these shows great and well-done realized. I’m much curious now with what OPETH might come up with in 2020 or 2030 ;)