Opeth – The Last Will and Testament
Opeth – The Last Will And Testament
Reigning Phoenix Music
Release Date: 22/11/2024
Running Time: 50:52
Review by Beth Morait
10/10
Opeth have always known how to create an album. And they never like to be ring fenced by genre either. Prog is about as wide-ranging a thing as you could think of, and Opeth like to fill every corner of it just because they can.
Their latest offering to the eclectic prog buffet is “The Last Will And Testament”; a concept album – surprisingly the first full concept album they’ve undertaken. Set in a post-World War I era, it tells the tale of a wealthy conservative patriarch, whose last will and testament unveils some murky family secrets. The premise of the album is the will being read to his twin daughters, and their reaction to the revelations within it. And thus, the track names are depicted as paragraphs from the will. It seems the will was written hastily by a potentially delirious dying man, trying to make amends, and deal with his inner turmoil, now death was upon him.
The main hook to the plot is that, while the twins are the initial characters we meet, (along with the solicitors gathered for the reading of the protagonist’s will), they aren’t actually named in the will. Anyone with a slightly complicated family history will understand the potential emotions, and future family feuds and implosions this can cause.
And that’s the only spoiler you’re getting from me as far as the plot goes. There’s scandal a-plenty, and a polio-ridden girl, but to find out more about why she’s relevant, you’re going to have to listen to the album! All I will say is the only track with a name is the final track, because it holds the biggest revelation of all, and it’s not something contained in the patriarch’s will…
Musically, it’s Opeth doing what Opeth does best. Conforming to nothing, and creating a masterpiece. However, where the 2019 release, “In Cauda Venenum”, was a gentler, lighter affair, this album is the heaviest these Swedish stalwarts have created for a very long time. Blisteringly paced, with a discerning edge of insanity to every track (bar the finale). Cross-rhythms litter proceedings, with thundering bass and crunching guitars, playing syncopated repeated sections that conversely both conflict and intertwine with the melodies, all at the same time. And atop that sit the guttural Death Metal growls of Mikael Åkerfeldt. They’re devastatingly crushing, and loom devilishly in the mix, making for an almost claustrophobic discomfort throughout the first 7 tracks. You can almost smell the stench of death, and feel the inexplicable drowning sensation that accompanies grief, as the album drags you through torment, phonically and lyrically. In the press release, Mikael says about the album:
“I knew I could go a bit overboard and wild with the music, a bit heavier and a bit more metal, maybe, because I felt it would fit the concept, which is dark and kind of complex. You might dabble with the occult in your youth and write songs about Satan, but this felt like I could make a story about real evil, and about human behaviour. It felt like the music for this concept should be on the heavier side of things. It’s a pretty heavy topic.”
However, we do get sections that are completely the other end of the spectrum to this. Delicate, almost lullaby-like scenes, with gentle vocals and classic Prog Rock elements. ‘§4’ is a track that starts in this gentle vein, but never loses the sense of foreboding, which returns front and centre towards the end of the track. And throughout the album we get examples of this complete juxtapose in style. Is this to do with the strange girl?… Give it a listen to find out.
What I would say about this album is, if you’re new to Opeth, and expecting more of the same as “In Cauda Venenum,” you’ll be disappointed. But, if you’re an Opeth die hard this album is going to blow your mind, as it has done mine. It’s not an easy listen though, and will challenge your brain musically, and lyrically. So be prepared.
TRACKLISTING:
01. §1
02. §2
03. §3
04. §4
05. §5
06. §6
07. §7
08. A Story Never Told
LINE-UP:
Mikael Åkerfeldt – Lead vocals and guitar
Martín Méndez – Bass guitar
Fredrik Åkesson – Guitar and backing vocals
Joakim Svalberg – Keyboards and backing vocals
Waltteri Väyrynen – Drums
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Beth Morait and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
