Classical Composer Reacts to Burden (Opeth) | The Daily Doug (Episode 99) 

This is from an interview with Michael: "I didn't have an ending for the song; there was a few options to end a nice song like that. Either you end on a high note with a nice chord or a fade out or something. But I just came up with the idea that we should end it in a freaky way and I'm just basically playing this ending lick on the nylon string guitar and I told Fredrik to de-tune the guitar in real time as I was playing. So obviously it sounds very ugly but that was the whole purpose. We didn't know if it would work or not but it did."

I love how Doug can emulate what's being played in milliseconds.

watershed is the most underrated and my favorite album of theirs.

I love the detuning part. It adds some tension right at the end but I actually enjoy it a lot lol

It amazes me how twenty to thirty years ago, metal music, and rock music in general, were actively persecuted and picketed by religious types, and here we are today watching this gentleman listening to it in a church with a wonderfully positive attitude towards it. Progress.

I am so envious of this man right now, I would give anything to hear Burden as if it were the first time.

The interplay between Mikael Åkerfeldt and Fredrik Åkesson's solos is absolutely magnificent. Not taking anything away from Peter Lindgren as a musician, but Opeth could not pull something like that off when he was in the band.

7:05 Absolutely beautiful accompaniment by you playing along. Just wonderful.

They could play this for an hour and I would not complain. The most succinct appreciation for that four-chord progression around 6:00. Well said!

"I can't really tell what key they're in. They're using functional chords in non functional ways" Welcome to Prog Doug 😂

I love everything about this reaction! from the intense listening to figure out the chord progressions, to the lovely riffing with the guitars, the (expected) utter bafflement of the detuning part to the rage-quit of the piano. that was awesome, sir!

I was just waiting to the end of the song to see you freaking out hahahah.

Opeth has many just gorgeous songs in their catalogue, and Burden is definitely one of the most sumptuous in that group. Such an emotive, moody, journey. And that discordant outro that just breaks it all up and leads into the next song is such a boomerang of sonic experience

So much music appreciation here, the analysis on these prog rock bands...this is what keeps me coming back. This reinforced what I always suspected about their songwriting and chords....Opeth are masters.

Opeth - "Windowpane" is magnificent if you like this version of Opeth. I prefer the non-death metal version of Opeth as well.

God dammit Doug you could have been in the rock world yourself. You rock with inherent talent being able to dissect the music so easily and gleefully. Wish we could hear more of your works.

easily my pick for the most underrated and emotional opeth song. this one hits me deep. always makes me tear up.

Never clicked so fast on a video in my life.

For the outro, it really helps with the album's feeling of anxiety. It's a feeling from listening to the album but not the songs individually. The intro song Coil has a low rumbling that builds into the intro of heir apparent where you get a real oppressive hit from the guitars, at the end of heir apparent there is a high pitched tone that carries tension into lotus eater, which starts with bizarre humming and a bizzare intro to the song, the jazzy instrumental in lotus eater has a tense feeling and definitely keeps the listener on their toes, lotus eater ends with a load of voices talking (I don't know if they're swedish sorry) that for me came off as indistinguishable and kind of scary, like a schizophrenic nightmare, which then transitions to burden with a light sigh. Burden ends with the detuning to really catch the listener off guard, considering that burden is very light song in comparison, which then immediately transitions to the hard hitting intro to Porcelain Heart. Porcelain heart then ends with the distorted guitar fading away into the relatively chill first half of hessian peel, again like burden luring the listener into a false sense of security, which then explodes into proper death metal like heir apparent and lotus eater. The last bit of tension (and therefore anxiety) is between hessian peel and hex omega, with a repetitive tone playing which then explodes into hex omega's intro.

As a musician you know when you have discovered a great piece when you have to play along with it.

4:28 'Keyboard starts to solo' Jon Lord: Well done, my kids

Omg your expression during the ending made me laugh so much and it was so fitting, like that was probably Mike's intention and he would be laughing at the end too

Great choice - I was addicted to this song growing up. Would love to get your reaction to a song from their newest album - All Things Will Pass.

It's amazing how your face lights up with pure joy when the next chord surprises you LOL so wholesome. love it

It's like the song sort of... melts, at the end. It feels like a sudden emotional bottoming-out. Like a drug comedown.

If you are here for the Pink Floyd style Opeth, definitely react to "Lovelorn Crime". The guitar solo is pure soaring majesty (often compared to Comfortably Numb), and the rest of the whole song I'm sure will deeply fascinate you with its chord progressions.

Doug your piano overlay at 7:04 was beautiful

After listening Opeth for the first time. Me: Wtf just happened? Doug: Jamming with the band on the piano😅 Great stuff, can’t wait for more songs and bands.

i think the ending was very tongue-in-cheek because of the laugh, Mikael is a very light-hearted and humorous fellow despite the heavy subject matter of the songs

Any Opeth song could go on and on and I would never get tired of it.

Yes!! One of my favorite songs from the Watershed album and Opeth in general :)

I always see a pretty painting at the end and as the guitar gets detuned the paint starts running down or something... so cool!!

I love Opeth but i miss those beautiful counterpoint sections they used to do on Morningrise and Orchid. They were the only metal band doing contrepoint like that. I would love to see a classical composer react to them... Cheers!

This song is what I call “Painfully Beautiful”

The imperfection of de-tuning makes this song perfect

This whole album is a work of beauty. The ending song, Hex/Omega is magnificent. Listening to an isolated track like that takes it out of the context of the things that precede and follow.

Burden always evokes such a strong visceral feeling of longing in me, every time I hear it. Fredrik Akesson joined the band with this album, and I love his contribution to Porcelain Heart, another one of my favorite singles from Opeth. The solo in Allting Tar Slut always reminds me of the solo in Burden. Opeth has helped me get through some of the worst days of my life. May I suggest you tackle La Villa Strangiato by Rush at some point?

The chord progression during the organ solo is the same chord progression around minute 5:30 in Dogs by Pink Floyd!!! Amazing you said it reminded you of Floyd!!!

Always a treat to see people who know what they're talking about break down an opeth song, the mixture of confusion and pleasure and appreciation that follows I'll never get tired of. Mikael is an insane songwriter and I'm excited to watch you go down the rabbit hole that is Opeth. Cheers

I recommend Storm Corrosion by Storm Corrosion. It’s a project including Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth and Steven Wilson. Very beautiful song and would love to hear you thoughts on it.

I always interpreted the final part as two friends or family members living/going along with each other in perfect harmony. But then one of the two passes/goes away and the other one perishes of this loss. It's one of the most haunting song endings I have ever heard.

7:55 i cant unhear this part when i listen to this song lmao, it was just sooo perfect!

OMG! Your reaction when the guitar started de-tuning! LMAO! That was great.

OMG such a funny ending great reaction closing the piano

The detuning guitars lead into arguably the most evil riff on the album - 'Porcelain Heart' Loved your tinkling over the whole band outro !

Love watching you love on Opeth...lol. Amazing band ❤

Absolutely loved watching your reaction to the detuning at the end! I've said it once and I'll say it again... Opeth - Moon Above, Sun Below is up your alley.

Dude, i wish i know that much of music theory and stuff, to identify just like that all the chords and progressions, specially of such a band like opeth, you are cool man, keep on, on your reactions!!!

I’ve been watching your channel for quite sometime Doug. This might be my favorite video you’ve recorded yet.

I almost feel like Burden isn't actually over until the next song, Porcelain Heart, has blasted you in the stomach. The detuning outro bit leads well into that.

I keep coming back to this reaction video. I just love seeing you play along ! Thank you very much for you bring :)

OMG, I was just waiting for the look on your face at the end and you did not disappoint! 😂😂 This was so fun to watch. This happens to be one of my favorite Opeth songs so this was a treat to see anyone react to it. It’s such a beautiful and sorrowful song all at once. Enjoy the killer shirt. The only Opeth T-shirt I have is the Watershed album cover shirt. You have to react to Face of Melinda from the Still Life album. It’s another mellow song but has some nice things going on you might enjoy. Cheers!

On 7:56 when you added your piano solo on it🤘🏽love it🔥made it sound like a really sad story ending!👏🏽💔

Loved your reaction to the outro hahaha I was waiting for that!! Another great video 👍

Can never do enough Opeth!!

Dude that was great. I knew that ending was coming and couldn’t wait see your reaction. Funny stuff. I was cracking up.

Love watching your fresh perspective of Opeth music. Please keep this up. Subscribed!

Doug, I thought me and my buddies were the only people to listen to Opeth in church...... Your'e awesome. My love for this band has gotten stronger thanks to your videos!

Your Opeth reactions/reviews are the best. Love the play alongs

Thanks for the laugh at the end. I needed that!

The picardy third was actually named after Captain Jean-Luc Picard who discovered this technique when he learned to play that alien flute.

I knew your reaction to the ending will be hilarious lmao I always thought it as dark and freaky.. always felt that part as the depression and collapse of the song.

Opeth : Ghost of Perdition; Moonlapse Vertigo; Bleak

Burden is one of my favorite Opeth tracks. It was so different for them (the Piano & Mellotron is from former member Per Wiberg) in style, even for the material on "Damnation", especially from that era of the band. Its giving me shivers now, and one of the BEST Organ solos I've heard on a B3 Hammond, like Per channeled Jon Lord. Mikael's vocals are so damn beautiful on this one, and the guitar solos at the end from Axe and Mike . . . sublime. I love how it ends, its so weird and different, and sets you up for the darker track to follow. Haha! LOVED your reaction :D. I also give high praise to how they Mic the drums, so damn clear. Excellent job by drummer Martin Axenrot. - Nice piano soloing too Doug! Your Brother has great taste.

So happy to see you break down some more of my favorite band! Awesome stuff man!

Man, I enjoyed how much you enjoyed that! Awesome analysis as always. Nice having you in front of a piano!

I interpreted the outro as a transition into the next song on the album: Porcelain heart, which is darker.

Among the funniest genuine reaction to the ending i have ever seen. Closing the lid! 😀 I can also recommend He Is by Ghost. A modern Abba-song if there ever was one.

I love when they use a sustainer on the electric guitar that they've used throughout their career to create those high soaring notes that add so much atmosphere. That ending is quite gnarly (setting up the mood for the next song).

I enjoyed this so muchh!! Thanks, please play along more often next times

God I wish I could hear that organ solo for the first time all over again! I'm so envious of you that you could do that And to really get the ending you need to listen to the next track

By far my favorite reaction. So good!! Please keep it up.

I love your analysis and your playing. This was an amazing video. I'm happy to have chanced upon it. Subscribed.

The guitar solos make me tear up every time, despite having heard them so, so many times.

Haha, the roadnoice was really funny! Was watching with my hifi stereo system and started looking out the window! Great vid, good sound!

I was waiting for your reaction to the ending part, and it was priceless :D :D :D

I appreciate you and your brothers relationship. And your channel is great!

I was at that Radio City show too. In fact, I haven't missed an Opeth tour since they started touring the US in 2001, I've seen all the Evolution tours which is really special. What really made the Radio City show truly great for me is that I was only a few rows back in the Orchestra which is where I sat a million times as a kid...my grandfather was the lead violinist at Radio City Music Hall for decades and I got to see it all - the bowels of the place to the highest balcony. Feels like a lifetime ago now, but it was a wonderful experience.

Great song but I'm really impressed by Martin Axenrot's drumming. Great feeling and great technique.

I love the ending. Opeth is a band where you listen to the album, the songs generally flow from song to song, and, the next song, needs a freaky twist before its overly depressing vibe. Otherwise I feel like the songs would contrast each other too much.

One of my favorite Opeth songs along with Porcelain Heart, which follows Burden in the album.

I just found your channel and these reactions to opeth songs are so freaking cool when you sometimes play some chords with them. I feel like im also learning alot from here as i enjoy this great music and comments also.

I was at this show too and got the same shirt. It’s my favorite Opera tour shirt. Great show!

my favorite song by them, love your improvised parts near end.

Your reaction during the detuning part was priceless! LOL at the slow piano lid close!

It’s so great to see reactions of people who know their stuff! Great work Doug.

You are such a nice guy Doug ! Congratulations for your chanel, acreciate it !

Oh my goodness, we were at the same Opeth show! There was a fun little moment where Mikael forgot some of the lyrics to Death Whispered a Lullaby, which they'd never played live before

I think it would be very cool Doug if you were to devote an entire episode or more of you improvising to some of your favourite reaction tracks. Would be cool to hear you playing from the heart.

What a diverse catalouge, I have to listen to more

Love your videos! You are working your way to become an official member of the band dude ;-)

By far one of the most interesting reaction channels in my opinion. Love the concept where you half and half play along with the song. If you like this style of Opeth, please do check out their version of Soldier of fortune, and any song off Damnation.

I’m really learning a lot from your breakdown of the song. I wish I could identify these patterns so easily. Thank you

Great analysis as usual, keeps me coming back for more, even greater 'what's going on' face at the end lol Also i can't stress enough how few piano notes thrown in there give so much depth to the part it pkays along with. Doug should applt at Opeth yall

modal interchange on a whole another level, i've actually been listening to music differently after i discovered this topic and also writing stuff differntly

The outro in acoustic guitar of this beautiful song reminds me the one in Heaven & Hell (studio version) of Black Sabbath.

You're brother is awesome! You're both lucky :)

Great insight into a fantastic song by one of my favorite bands! I'm all about chords and melody, and Mikael and co. really deliver on this one!!

When you close the lid on your keyboard 😂😂😂 I love the ending to this song. It reminds me of something Pink Floyd would do to symbolize someone slipping into madness.

Best outro ever. Doug's reaction - priceless!😂