OPETH Sorceress Album Review | Overkill Reviews 

I think the only hope for the growl to return is if everyone stops hoping for it to return. I'm calling it The Akerfeldt Paradox.

All this hate over Opeth's direction since when is Progressive music whether it's metal or rock bad music ?? It's not like Opeth's becoming another Metallica or limp bizkit, or nickelback or selling out and becoming douchbags playing rap pop or any mainstream garbage.. So let me get this straight if it's not death metal it's crap? So jazz fusion ,blues, folk, classical, prog, is garbage? All these diffent styles have been relevant in their sound for all of their time as a band in some form or way just because he doesn't growl or make their song's over 10 minutes anymore or make it less metal on some tracks does NOT mean it's bad music .. Metalheads can be so closed minded .. with fans like these who needs enemies .. Metallica turned on their fans hunting them down over downloading .. And Opeth "fans" have turned on Opeth.. I don't hear so much hate towards Devin Townsend and he's all over the place too including writing ambient, country/ rockabilly'ish albums which I dig .... I love metal but There's more to music than just metal.

I would say that their old stuff was progressive death metal, not pure death metal because there was still a lot of experimentation, vocal variations, and complex, unconventional and weird song structures and instrumentation. While they've definitely become more prog now than heavy, there was still a lot of prog in their sound back in the days, even on their first album, Orchid.

As a huge Opeth fan who was very displeased with the direction they took starting with Heritage I have to say this album is a masterpiece and Ill tell you why. I listened to Heritage and waited for the Opeth I knew to come through. Never happened. I listened to Pale Communion and again was hopeful that id get to hear the Opeth that I remembered. I didnt. I got Sorceress and thought that I would be disappointed with it as well. But.......it finally happened. I got it. This stuff is as heavy as their old stuff but not heavy in a sense of death growls and huge chugging metal riffs but heavy in a sense of weight and feel. This album is heavy. Refined. Perfect. The song that really did it for me was Strange Brew. That song is amongst my all time favorite songs. And the best thing about this album is now I have gone back and literally fallen in love with Pale Communion and Heritage. Id forgotten how great I feel the Dark is. I had forgotten how great River is. So this album is so good that it made me love 2 whole albums that I had esentially discarded. I cant wait for whats next. And if they ever get back to death metal Ill be really excited but I wont be at all disappointed if they dont. I saw Opeth in Portland, OR on Oct 24th at Roseland Theater. What a great show. And guess what. They still bring the death metal with them when they tour. Opened with Sorceress followed by Ghost of Perdition and classically ended with Deliverance.

another change in direction. Opeth are like a good no sorry great wine. maturing with age.

Opeth rules!!! Growls or no growls!!!

Opeth! The most perfect band in the world!

Opeth music matured but some of Opeth's fans are god damn immature. Why death metal fans are so close minded ?

Solid review. Not too pretentious. Keeps it simple to the point. Love their full transition into prog, while still retaining the Opeth sound.

Well said, I agree, amazing album. Their progression is a thing to admire! Nice job.

"He is in Pain" Banger genius editing, great video and Sam rules!

Great review on the album. Awesome job man!!!

Good review Sam! I was surprised by the outcome and didn't see it coming! I agree with you and personally I believe the album is a masterpiece. Thank you for the review upload!

100% agree with this review. absolutely love this album!!

you are an amazing reviewer. spot on analysis

great review mate. subbed.

Shit dude, these comments have become way more hostile ever since the sexism discussion. Such a shame too because the discussions on this channel were one of my favorite things about the community but now one controversial video later, and you're labeled the "bad" guy :/ Great review as always, please keep doing what your doing.

Rad review! Likewise on all topics.

couldn't agree more with your verdict, Sam! Nicely summarized

Well said, sir! A great review. My sentiments precisely!!

Would love to see an overkill review of Allegaeon's recently released Proponent for Sentience

Great video. Love this album.

when the video came back to you after the persephone sound clip, I expected you to be snoring with your head down on the desk there... why? idk, maybe the transitions felt like it was setting up for a comical "this shit is boring" review. Edit: Also, what's with the youtube reviews skipping most of the tracks? I think one of the most compelling tracks on it is A Fleeting Glance, but everyone keeps skipping strait to the last song after Crystalis. What does anyone think of the rest?

Love that t-shirt Sam!

Opeth is a band that always provides a new sound with still holding onto their familiar tones for fans. Anyone can jump into any album they have and fall in love because it's always a great story and wonderful story telling. Fuck what everyone is saying about production; it's always a perfect to fit what voice they are trying to convey! Lyrically, they prevail by being poetic gods and musically, they prevail with ever-changing talent and emotion.

Great review

Great review Sam. Love the band, their music and your work as well. keep it up! BWBK rules as well.

Excellent review as always and I tend to agree that the album is awesome, fittingly for its title it's enchanting! Probably the best of the last three since the change of musical direction and it also is the heavier one which probably will appeal more to older fans. Chrysalis will probably find its way in the band's setlist.

For those interested, here's Opeth's "Harvest" played by 9 cellos: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8bVzu_R7ztc.html

Great review! You really delved into the album and gave us enough to get some insight without giving it all away. Thanks for all your scholarly contrihutions to the metal world. Excuse me while i go buy this record on amazon! (I know, no physical copy for me, pathetic)

Great Review \m/

Awesome review. My thoughts on your opinion are spot on. Opeth is a serious band with emense talent. When you sit down and listen to this album your blow away. unmatched talent for sure

To all of you awesome Rocking Metal Evolving people I'd like to chime in on how much we love Opeth,but it sux when you live in New Orleans,La. and these guys just like a number of acts do pass us up and we can't exactly fly to the next state to see them!Thanks Sam for you passion!!

growth is good.

Couldn't agree more, fantastic album!

I couldn't agree more with your review of this incredible work of art of an album. This album makes it absolutely clear that Pale Communion and even more so Heritage were transitional albums. My favorite Opeth since the Deliverance/Damnation duology. Favorite tracks are Will o the Wisp and Era.

sooooo excited for this.

Great review Opeth never disappoints. Sam please check out the new defeated sanity record. I feel like a broken record because I've been requesting this review for a long ass time on all of your videos. Expose the underground a little more.

Well done!

I love this album. Heavy in an organic , 70s vibe. Brilliant smart lyrics and proper Opeth song structures. Awesome melodies and some new vocal style. This is a band that will be around for many years. All hail Opeth!

Aall the people of Bangor his reviews are often the ones I don’t like I find his scores and comments to be all over the place and not representative of the music. For a change I think he totally nailed this review this album is fantastic and he pointed out why well done

No one else is doing what Opeth are doing right now. Kudos to them cant wait for Sorceress'!

thank you for the great review. People want more of the old Opeth and can't ser the beauty of their new music.

i'm sure someone heard the same thing as me ... the song "sorceress" as the same kind of riffs from Cannibal Corpse's 2012 Torture album 's song "scourge of iron"... (listen at the 1:01 mark) it would be interesting to know if he was influenced from it or its just coincidental..still awesome though...

His name is Åkerfeldt, which is pronounced "Oakerfeldt." Every time you say "ackerfeld," a kitten is murdered.

also "spring mcmlxxiv" is smeggin' great.

Great album! Don't agree with most of your reviews, but we are in sync on this one!

I got no problem with them moving in different directions but the new stuff just doesn't grab me like the old stuff.

what cultures intro music

This album is indeed amazing....its not the lack of screams that irks me, yet rather the muddy and boomy production after the stellar sounding Heritage and Pale Communion. Perhaps a remix and remaster can really bring out the magic of this album....

love and peace!

Heard the album today,I find the new Radiohead album darker than this one..

*AMEN TO YOU SAM!!!*

You mentioned Will Malone's influence on the album. He was also the unfairly maligned producer of the debut album of Maiden. He made a very strange solo album back in the day that's worth checking out.

Loving Sorceress so far!

3:46 "representing Opeth at its strongest", seems ironic since that part is practically ripped off Ayreon's 'Day Four: Mystery', a track from the Ayreon album Mikael Åkerfeldt sang on... Nothing wrong with letting yourself be inspired by great artists, but to name it an iconic Opeth moment seems odd.

I'm digging it so far but I'm lucky enough that I don't have that nostalgia for his growls that stops me from enjoying this album.

For me "Era" is the best song of the album!

HOLY GOD WHERE DID YOU GET THIS OLD ASS OPETH PHOTO FROM IM LAUGHING MY ASS OFF

I think another person that people are forgetting is Dan Swano. He and his different projects are running parallel to Opeth's current sound. Checkout his band Nightingale.

Don't be afraid to go lower on your Reviews. This is almost a perfect album.

When's the next live panel discussion?

Agree with your words

Great review .. Absolutely on point .. Just to add .. A band who has also transitioned from death metal and remain phenomenal .. Anathema ..

Don't know if I like it more than Pale Communion yet, they're both good albums, but they lack that cohesiveness & sonic perfection of pre heritage stuff. Its not just the lack of growls either, I can live with that (Damnation was amazing), some of the material is just kind of meandering.

Band formed when I was born. I have grown up with good taste.

Bit late getting to this, but tbh I have always seen Opeth to be a very... Divisive band... Even album to album, on a personal level, I love or hate most of them, dating right back to Orchid. I think it's great they follow their own path now, bands aren't franchises which have to follow their fans requirements, but the fans are also not out of line by being unhappy about the change. When bands make drastic changes, they are entitled to do so. But they also have to be prepared to lose fans in doing so.

I'm an insanely huge Opeth fan, been following them for about 20 years, seen them live around 10 times or so, and I will say I'm bummed every time they put out a new album now because I know it won't be metal. I mean, the recent albums are fantastic, Akerfeldt is a genius but honestly it's just not what I want from Opeth, and not really what I want from music either. I'll keep going to shows, but for once I think I'm not going to buy a new Opeth album, and it breaks my heart. My adoration for the band will continue on, but I'll always pray for a return to roots.

Please do Insomniums 41 minute song Winters Gate!!!

Straight forward death metal? I think that's what made their old stuff great -- that it wasn't at all straightforward death metal. Their old stuff had smatterings of prog from the very beginning. Heck, Morningrise (their second record) had a soft ballad on it.

Fantastic album!

I saw them live at the Fillmore in Maryland last night and in my opinion they are better live. It was Incredible! As for your review, I couldn't agree more!

When I heard "pop" elements on track 10, that is when you realize how far Opeth has come. There are traces of Rush, Led Zeppelin, and Dio/Judas Priest elements or influences in there. This is all great, some good ole fashion heavy metal elements in there for good measures. Of course if Mike wants to really turn heads, create a prog rock rendition mix in some Death's Human movements and that would be a masterpiece. Of course that might not happen instead we might get that Queen and Diamond Head mix that might make even the diehard fans like myself cringe. His music has soul and that is all that matters because he wants you to revisit your collection of ELP albums because it is made clear from the get go that he sounds a lot like Greg Lake.

Strange Brew is so awesome so I had to learn it on guitar. It’s so different but and I fucken love it.

"Opeth started as a fairly straight-forward death metal band." Fucking hell, do you know anything?

Wow, very high rating!

Plz review Oathbreaker - Rheia

amazing album

There are great highlights from this album, many heard here, but they're glued together with boredom. Their old prog/death approach was unique; no one did it better. It was that borderline of the heavy and the light that gave Opeth its punch. It was far more inventive than this and hit hard. When they went from folksy acoustic to crushing riffs, the effect was overwhelming. Now the music's just luke-warm, like wading into the kid's pool. Old Opeth would steal new Opeth's lunch money.

Mikael's cleans are amazing but his transition into gutterals are what got me into Opeth. Not to mention his Bloodbath vocals.

The only problem I had with this record was their method of mixing and mastering it, it's a little rough on speakers and not the most clear sounding record in my opinion, still an amazing record and I agree with his review.

I'm not mad about it, riffs are still great and I enjoy the sound plain and simple.

The more calm the more powerful it gets, there is not a lot bands with that ability

This album gave me a kind of Shamanic TOOL feel, loved all of it! Much better to me than heritage although i still really loved some songs from there.

I'm listening to Will O' The Wisp, and keep waiting to hear Ian Anderson's flute. :)

A sign of a truly great band is when you can listen to their songs and know what album they came from. Too many uncreative bands just stick to the one formula until album after album sounds the same,not daring to experiment for fear of failure.

Opeth has been black metal, death metal, folk, prog rock etc. No one can be that good is soo many genres of music. Every album is different. I love them all.

I miss the death growl. No one else has a death growl like Mikael Akerfeldt. Everyone else is trying to get lower and lower and more and more closer to either pig voices or even just full on throat singing. And that's cool. I can always go for John Gallagher or Eddie Hermida style vocals. But Mikael more roared his stuff, like a caged lion. That said, Mikael is one of the best clean vocalists in metal, and has been for some time. He's got a nice range, but more than that, his tone is so butter smooth.

It's a glorious record.

Love this record, and i just dont get why are people so waiting that Opeth do what they want to hear, this is a whole new Opeth and never let me down musically.

Thumbs up to review Allegaeon - Proponent For Sentience (2016)

I love psychedelic progressive 70's rock so I like this album.

Decent review yet you only cover a few of the tracks? I agree with you about this album ..sensational

"I can't find antoher band that's been able to move beyond their roots yet still retain integrity and a unique sound". Anathema. You're welcome. :)

7/10 maybe 8/10 if i listen it more times. A couple of tracks just don't click, but the rest of the songs are genious

It doesn't always happen but I think we pretty much agree on Sorceress here. This was my review of it: www.thydemonsbescribblin.com/scribblin-metal---album-reviews/opeth-sorceress-a-feind-review

This is one of the most liked bands I've never dug. Not regretting it.

Prefer The Pale Communion, that was a masterpiece, still, Sorceress is a pretty good album, love the ending on The Wilde Flowers, thats the heaviest part on this album. Also, its Mikael not Michael and Akerfeldt is pronounced Oakerfeldt Sam :P

No more death growls? They still do it live for like 80% of their set when I saw them live in Minneapolis, just sayin'.

I love this album, especially because I feel like Opeth finally perfected the combination of heavy and prog rock.