Ghost Reveries [Import]

Ghost Reveries [Import]

Track Listings

1. Ghost Of Perdition

2. Baying Of The Hounds

3. Beneath The Mire

4. Atonement

5. Reverie / Harlequin Forest

6. Hours Of Wealth

7. Grand Conjuration

8. Isolation Years

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Japanese pressing features an exclusive bonus track TBA. RR. 2005.

Tracks:

Ghost Of Perdition
The Baying Of The Hounds
Beneath The Mire
Atonement
Reverie/Harlequin Forest
Hours Of Wealth
The Grand Conjuration
Isolation Years

Amazon.com

Opeth's Ghost Reveries is a Prog/Death masterstroke, becoming more simplistic in places while expanding the overall template. Having explored their split personalities in great detail on Deliverance and Damnation, Opeth pulls them back together for Ghost Reveries, and in the process they have once again upped the ante on what a Death Metal band can accomplish. While there is a bolder use of instrumentation on this release, the rhythms and time changes have simplified just a bit, giving the songs on Ghost Reveries a more direct impact. Both the harsher and softer aspects have made the band more well-rounded, from the rousing organ in "The Baying of the Hounds," to the use of Middle Eastern polyrhythms in the beautiful "Atonement." But the integration of the two styles does not mean the band has necessarily mellowed. The album opens with mere seconds of tranquility before blasting into the meat of "Ghost Of Perdition," and "The Grand Conjuration" is as dark and powerful as anything they've done. Opeth is a band that doesn't rest on its laurels, and Ghost Reveries is majestic, epic music. In smaller scope, it attempts to do what Dark Side of the Moon and Physical Graffiti did for Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. This is a metal album that endeavors to move beyond its specific genre.-- Robert Arambel

Customer Reviews:

maturing and experimental..........2007-05-13

here we find the band in top form once more, doing what they do best...with new drummer and keyboardist to boot.

A well produced and consistent effort, if not arguably their best. They continue to lull the listner to the edge of their seat with anticipation of the deviations of atmosphere, mood and time signatures.

The experimentations continue and their sound continues to evolve, potentially ensnaring a larger fan base. The band now begins to walk the precipice of it's own continued success, but if what Akerfeldt says comes to fruition, the next outing may offer even slightly more bizarre experimentations in mood and atmospheric sound presentation.

An interview catches him expounding on the 2006 release of Scott Walker's "The Drift", which he cites as inspiration for the next album.

Having heard firsthand what Mikael describes as "a disturbing record", i can tell you that 68 minutes of that "record" is a diabolical and devastating dirge of sound which you'll not likely forget for your entire life (should you endeavor to indulge). That Opeth will use that album as a resource speaks to their committment to remaining on the tip of the spear, so to speak, of progressive metal. That will prove an elixir of continued youth for a band with too much left to say in the world of metal.

Altered Mind Material.......2007-03-23

Fancy words, a comma or two, some insightful experiences- none are needed. Opeth is from another world full of alien metal-playing beings who sent out their best band to enlighten our lives. That is all.

One of '05's best? Of course!.......2007-02-27

After falling in love with Blackwater Park, I bought every Opeth album I could find. I now own all of their albums except for Still Life (which I can't find anywhere). Opeth is quickly becoming my favorite bands, and this CD is no less incredible than their other works. Ghost Reveries also has some nice touches that I couldn't find in Opeth's other albums. There's a stronger growl from Mikael, more guitar solos, more audible (and better) bass (although their best bassist will always be Johan Defarfella who played on Morningrise), and some other stuff I can't think of. This is also their heaviest album since Deliverence, and the keyboardist that played with them on the Blackwater Park, Deliverence and Damnation tour is now an official member and played on this album.

Ghost Reveries, as many people seem to miss, is a concept album, like My Arms Your Hearse and Still Life. Don't believe me? Read the lyrics. As a reviewer stated below me, it's about a boy's turmoil after killing his own mother. Mikael Akerfeldt said he wanted to write the album with occult themes in it. It's actually quite interesting, really.

In Ghost of Perdition, the boy has killed his mother, and he is haunted by her ghost ("Ghost of mother!!!!"). The song is already fortelling the horrors he is going to face in the future ("To see a beloved son in despair of what's to come"). The song clocks in at just over 10 minutes. There is also some creepy moaning by Mikael near the end of the song over some bleak-sounding acoustic guitars.

Baying of the Hounds marks the point where the boy goes insane. After killing his mother, he sees the people around him as evil beings ("Pest-ridde jackals of the earth!"), as demons that want to kill him. A very cool intro combines with great musicianship makes this an awesome song.

In Beneath The Mire, he falls into depression. He thinks about the horrible thing he did ("Lost love of the heart in a holocaust memory"), and he sees himself as an evil thing that must be killed. I LOVE the middle-eastern sounding keyboards in the beginning, as the suit the song very well.

Atonement basically continues his depression and he states "Suddenly I can't justify what I had become." This is the first completely soft song on the album, with some tingling keyboard sounds.

In Reverie/Harlequin Forest, he leaves his home, feeling he can't trust anyone there ("Into the trees, past meadow grounds, and further away from my home. Baying behind me, I hear the hounds [the people from his village], flocks chasing to find me alone"). He isolates himself from the world, afraid to see what others will think of him, afraid that he'll be rejected ("I'm hiding away from the sun"). He gets stuck in the delusion that he's an outcast and is hated by others ("You are the laughing stock of the absent minded"). While out on his own he tries to find comfort in someone or something ("Nocturnally helpless and weak in the light, depending on a prayer, pacing roads to find a seed of hope."). Very heavy, and one of my favorite off the album.

Hours of Wealth is when he finally feels some joy, or relaxation ("found a way to rid myself clean of pain and the fever that's been haunting me has gone away"). This song is very jazzy sounding - it's basically Mikael singing softly over some keyboards. Very relaxing, until.....

...The Grand Conjuration! Definitely my favorite song off the album and the first song Opeth made a music video for. Mikael's voice is clean in the beginning, but later lets out his demonic death growls from hell. To be honest, I'm not quite sure what to make of this songor how it fits into the story. But based on some of the lyrics, I'd say the boy sees himself as a soldier of satan, on Earth to do cruel things to people. He wants someone to tell him otherwise, but no one does ("Say my name, ease the pain").

As Mikael said in an interview, Isolation Years has nothing to do with the story of the album, but he wanted it on the record. I personally think that this should have been a bonus track later released on a special edition of Ghost Reveries since it doesn't add to the story, but it's nonetheless a very good song. It's another soft song on the album, and talks about a woman named Rosemary who sends her lover a note that says she's going to die.

Ghost Reveries, while not my favorite by Opeth (that would probably be Morningrise), is a masterpiece of an album and should be recognized as among the best albums of 2005. Deep lyrics, bone-crushing instrumentation, and beautiful melodies have always been in Opeth's music, and they continue that trend here. They've never fit into a musicaly category, they still don't, and I hope they keep it that way. If you let the death metal growls keep you from listening to Opeth, I feel bad for you because you're missing out on some truly unique music. So go to your local Best Buy and buy Ghost Reveries, along with the rest of Opeth's catalogue.

starting to sound a lot like their friends Porcupine Tree.......2007-02-15

The mighty Opeth return with more hardcore and melodic arrangements that are sure to please their ravenous fans. Most songs pass the eight minute mark with dark and eerie instrumentals, as is the norm for them. Although Opeth sound more melodic than on previous efforts, they still unleash their inner-beasts whenever they please. They're starting to sound a lot like their friends Porcupine Tree.

Another Opeth Masterpiece.......2007-02-10

I am a fairly big Opeth fan, but am also fairly skeptical and critical of music but this CD really is genius. Each song on this CD is brilliant crafted and produced. Each solo laid down by Mikael Åkerfeldt and Peter Lindgren is pretty much awesome.
Comments on each song:

Ghost of Perdition - A great opener and although a 10 and a half minute epic every minute is worth it as the song fades from a powerful angry beginning into a melodic masterpiece into a furious finale.

The Baying of the Hounds - This song is fairly under appreciated but is actually very powerful and lyrically pretty cool.

Beneath the Mire - A chord based song, but rhythmically smooth and although it is slower, yet Mikael's death grunt really shines.

Atonement - It's funny to say this about an Opeth song but this song is very beautiful and melodic.

Reverie/Harlequin Forest - Interesting but unfortunately overshadowed by the other masterpieces present on this album.

Hours of Wealth - Ok. The entire album is a concept album, except the final song, the story of the album is a man's turmoil after killing his own mother (matricide if you will), and all the songs fit into this theme very well.

The Grand Conjuration - A brilliant finale, and a very dark song. This song is pure evil and pure awesome. It also has a brilliant solo and melodic segment.

Isolation Years - Technically not part of the plot of the album but still a nice closer.

In summary this album is amazing...buy it.

Average customer rating:

Perfection in the hands of Opeth
"Ghost Reveries" plus so much more...
Still At The Helm Of Metal!!
soldier of furtune doesn't fit this album

Ghost Reveries
Opeth
Manufacturer: Roadrunner Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Opeth Box Set
Blackwater Park
Opeth - Lamentations (Live at Shepherd's Bush Empire 2003)
My Arms, Your Hearse
Still Life

ASIN: B000FZESY4
Release Date: 2006-10-31

Tracks:

Ghost Of Perdition
The Baying Of The Hounds
Beneath The Mire
Atonement
Reverie/Harlequin Forest
Hours Of Wealth
The Grand Conjuration
Isolation Years
Soldier Of Fortune

Customer Reviews:

Perfection in the hands of Opeth.......2007-02-16

The prog/death masters are back. This record is amazing, by this time you'll know that and this special edition is a perfect celebration for the best metal record of 2005. Excellent 5.1 mix and the documental is great, more than forty minutes inside the creation of the record an interesting interviews.

The cover of Deep Purple is fantastic, excellent choice for a band that's open minded and with no limitations, great feeling.

Ghost Reveries is one of the best experiences you can find in music out there.

"Ghost Reveries" plus so much more..........2006-12-12

When I first listened to Opeth's Ghost Reveries, I was blown away by the level of maturity and musicianship the band had reached. I have also been equally impressed with Blackwater Park, Deliverance, Damnation, and every other Opeth album I have ever devoted my time to.

I was slightly hesitant to buy this special edition disc because I thought it may be a ploy by Roadrunner to cash in on their new prospect--especially after reading the negative reviews of the bonus track "Soldier of Fortune."

First of all, I am very impressed with the documentary. Clocking in at more than forty minutes, the documentary provides a peek into Mikael Akerfeldt's thoughts for the future and reminisces of the past. There is very little mention of Martin Axenrot, but more of Martin Lopez's mental issues are exposed in this documentary. Perhaps I was reading into his body language too much, but Martin seemed to achieve the lost look and unfocused swagger that only a truly depressed person can manage during his in-session footage. This documentary picks up very well to where the documentary on "Lamentations" ended.

The 5.1 mix of the CD is also well done. If you have stereo equipment capable of playing this format, this is another great aspect of this special edition CD.

The cover of Deep Purple's "Soldier of Fortune" makes a little more sense (at least to me) after watching the documentary where Mikael proclaims his newly-discovered love for the keyboards and his "clean" voice. I personally like the song even though it does not necessarily fit into the traditional sense of what an Opeth song should sound like. Just listen to it with an open mind...

If you do not own "Ghost Reveries," I would definitely start with this special edition. If you already own the regular version and are a fan of Opeth, pick this disc up for the documentary alone... The video to "The Grand Conjuration" is slightly interpretative, but it didn't add a lot of value for me.

If you found this review helpful (or not) please vote below:

Still At The Helm Of Metal!!.......2006-11-04

I bought this album because of the DVD.. and extra book pages and the packaging of this one hell of an album. GHOST REVERIES!! Indeed an astonishing album. My life have changed since the day I was exposed to Opeth in 2005. Then I realized I have been missing a whole lot.. I went to purchase all Opeth's back catalogues... Once you are a fan of Opeth you will be a fan for LIFE!!!!. I have a big Opeth's logo tattoo on my back.. and intend to get more.. I know Opeth will continuously put out quality music...Well as for this special edition.. I might say this is a great collection to add to your Opeth's library.. I don't even care much about soldier of fortune but appreciate it for Opeth's stepping out of their limelight and honored the legends. Opeth has always been a diversed group of people making music of diversed genre... Get a copy for yourself if you wanted to experience Opeth in 2006. Still A Brilliant Album!

soldier of furtune doesn't fit this album.......2006-11-04

well if your buying this for the bonus song you better hear on the song sample first, because it sucks, this is the first time opeth has ever let me down after being a long time fan. why they chose this song i have no idea but they could have at least picked something heavy instead of some stupid oldy goldie classic song thats slower than my grandmothers speech. the only reason i gave it a 4 star was because of the dvd is excellent to watch. just buy this for the dvd only.

Average customer rating:

5.1 is the way to hear Opeth . . .

Ghost Reveries
Opeth
Manufacturer: Roadrunner
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Damnation
Still Life
Opeth - Lamentations (Live at Shepherd's Bush Empire 2003)
Blackwater Park
Dream Theater - Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live with the Octavarium Orchestra

ASIN: B000G03RUE
Release Date: 2006-11-06

Tracks:

Ghost of Perdition
Baying of the Hounds
Beneath the Mire
Atonement
Reverie/Harlequin Forest
Hours of Wealth
Grand Conjuration
Isolation Years
Soldier of Fortune [*]

Tracks:

Ghost of Perdition [5.1 Mix]
Baying of the Hounds [5.1 Mix]
Beneath the Mire [5.1 Mix]
Atonement [5.1 Mix]
Reverie/Harlequin Forest [5.1 Mix]
Hours of Wealth [5.1 Mix]
Grand Conjuration [5.1 Mix]
Isolation Years [5.1 Mix]
Soldier of Fortune [5.1 Mix][*]
Grand Conjuration [DVD]
Bonus Material [DVD]

Customer Reviews:

5.1 is the way to hear Opeth . . ........2007-05-27

Enough has been said about Ghost Reveries, so I won't add anything other than to say I think it's their finest effort yet or at least as excellent as Blackwater Park. This particular issue includes a DVD of the entire album in 5.1 DTS format which takes their music to the next level. Any fan of Opeth who has a home theater system should consider this a necessary purchase. Great care was taken to mix this music to its fullest potential and it delivers in every way. If that's not enough, the inclusion of a bonus track, Soldier of Fortune (a Deep Purple cover), and a fascinating documentary, Beyond Ghost Reveries, should take care of any reservations. All in all, a superb document of a very talented band.

Average customer rating:

Ghost Reveries

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000O76PKS
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Average customer rating:

Ghost Reveries

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000AAP7CG
Release Date: 2005-08-30

Album Description

The new album - Ghost Reveries - is 66 minutes of staggering new material. Frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt puts it this way: "There's no other band on the planet like us." Believe it. This is set to be not only the Swedish metal album of the year but possibly THE metal album of the year.