“Mosh?” says Mikael Akerfledt, main man of Opeth, “Yeah, I used to do that when I was younger.”
And there, in a nutshell, is the microcosm of the evening. Opeth have metamorphosised from Death Metal band, to Metal Band, to Prog Metal band, to where they are currently, with new album “Heritage” more of less dispensing with any metal pretence at all.
Which makes fellow Swedes Pain of Salvation the perfect opening act. They too are from the Proggier end of the Rock Market. The trouble is they are a little to rock for the Prog fans, and not rock enough for the rockers. Rather like their new album “Road Salt Two” they are a pleasant diversion. “No Way” opening song from previous record “Road Salt One” is their catchiest and probably best song, but too much like “1979” sounded quite good on the cd but never really translates to live excitement.
Which brings us to Opeth. There is nothing wrong with “Heritage,” it has superbly crafted songs that are well played but it never approaches thrilling – and as a tagline for tonight's entertainment that is just about perfect.
“Devils Orchard” the song that begins the new opus, starts us off here, with the band bathed in dark lighting. Tonight is evidently going to be about mood. Opeth have decided that this tour is going to showcase the lighter moments of their back catalogue too, “Porcelain Heart” from the brilliant “Watershed” gives way to an acoustic section, complete with the band sitting on stools. We are a long way from the moshpit here.
With the band back on its feet, “Slither” is aired. A straight ahead rocker, it is the simplest track played this evening and is all the better for it – but rather than building things to a crescendo the whole evening just carries on in rather one-paced fashion to the close.
Opeth seem happy. Akerfledt is a convivial frontman, joking with the crowd and leading an impromptu version of Napalm Death’s “You Suffer” and you have to credit the band for having the vision to do exactly what they want. The trouble is that even musical perfection and great songs aren't always enjoyable when played live.
And it’s a conundrum Opeth will have to solve as they carry on their journey.
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