Opeth - Heritage (Marbled Vinyl Edition)

Originally released in 2011 as follow up to 2008's stellar career height Watershed, the tenth full-length from Swedish progressive death metal legends Opeth marked a notable turn, which the members had been desiring to take for some time. Heritage would be their first album since 2003's melancholic Damnation to completely eschew vocalist/guitarist/primary songwriter Mikael Akerfeldt's signature death growls, yet this decision wasn't so much in service of this one particular project as had been so in the past. Rather, this was the sign that the Scandinavian death metal elements of their core sound were ready to be laid to rest in favour of an embrace of the 70s prog rock the members grew up idolising. Drawing on the likes of Genesis, Yes and Rush, whilst allowing Akerfeldt's smooth cadence to lead the pieces, this is vintage, jazzy, complex yet undeniably groovy retro progressive rock of the classic era, complete with fuzzed out guitar lines, bizarre time signatures and an abundance of Hammond organ. Somewhat maligned by some of the fanbase while others lauded the brave and natural change in direction, this style would become the standard Opeth sonic aesthetic up until 2024's latest album The Last Will & Testament, which saw a return to their heavier death metal origins.

Tracklist