Swedish metal act Opeth played to a packed Webster Hall last night, debuting new songs from just-released record Heritage and putting new spins on old favorites.
Opeth may have started as a full-on death metal band, but recent years and albums have shown that both the band and its fans’ affinity lies with the beautiful, progressive tracks that seem to pour out of frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt, and the death growls have slowly but surely been fading out of the picture, and are nowhere to be found on the new album.
The band opened with two new songs off of Heritage, The Devil’s Orchard and I Feel The Dark, and the enthusiastic fans cheered wildly for the new music. Webster Hall’s relatively small capacity meant that fans were crammed shoulder to shoulder, but even in the very front of the crowd, everyone was abnormally pleasant when compared to a typical rock show, and that positive energy was reflected on stage as well, the musicians all clearly vibing with one another. Åkerfeldt is an outgoing frontman, and took a break every few songs to joke with the crowd about everything from masturbation to Swedish royalty.
With new songs out of the way, Opeth delved into their impressive catalog, proving why they are the #1 progressive metal band in the world. The technical guitar work, both acoustic and electric, meshed seamlessly with the keyboard and rhythm sections, Åkerfeldt’s vocals almost unnecessary at times with the thick, rich tapestry of the sound the five man band produced.
Drummer Martin Axenrot let loose with a controlled, yet fierce drum solo during Porcelain Heart, one of but many impressive instrumental moments throughout the night. Acoustic guitars and improvisation reintroduced some older songs to the audience as well, with the prog metal fans filling Webster Hall gleeful in their delight at experiencing the re-imagined music.
Perhaps the best moment of the night was when Åkerfeldt introduced new song Slither and dedicated it to the late Ronnie James Dio, also referencing their friendship with the singer as well as very unsubtly referencing Dio and bassist Martín Méndez’s shared love of marijuana. Slither is an atypical Opeth track, with a power metal riff and driving force distinctly reminiscent of Dio’s style, and it was a blast of raw energy in the otherwise slower-paced and proggy setlist.
The show wrapped up at the surprisingly early hour of 10pm, but not before Åkerfeldt teased the crowd with some classic rock riffs, including Dio’s Children of the Sea. New song Folklore was the night’s encore, and Åkerfeldt promised the roaring crowd that it would soon be a new favorite, a promise that will soon be fulfilled gauging by the audience’s hearty reaction to the slow, crushing song.
Opeth has been around for over 20 years now, but with each new record, the band has reinvented and refined their sound, now sounding very little like the band that released My Arms, Your Hearse in 1998. But the group’s love of instrumentation, experimentation, and mind-blowing sonic invention has never waned, and Heritage is an impressive addition to a stunning discography. Likewise, Opeth continues to impress as a live act, somehow nailing the perfect mix of crushing riffs, poignant solos, and heady melodies for a moving, yet rocking concert experience. They play Webster Hall again tonight, and whether you were there last night or not, any fan of the band would do well to catch these virtuosos while they’re still in town.
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