Artist: OPETH
Album: MY ARMS YOUR HEARSE RE-ISSUE 2017 (DIGI)

Release date: 1998/ 2017
EAN/UPS: 00602557247695
Media type: CD

Although initially seen as yet another in the long list of albums produced by EDGE OF SANITY's mentor DAN SWANO, Sorskogen's OPETH would struggle out of the Scandinavian scene with their groundbreaking 2001 album 'Blackwater Park' to set themselves as a true force for change in the international arena. The group has propagated an unwavering fan base built on an appreciation for OPETH’s ability to artfully sculpt often ponderous neo-progressive wanderings into masterpieces of modern Metal. Starting life influenced by the rawer Black Thrash acts, OPETH has steadily matured into more melancholic landscapes with each successive release.

Vocalist/ guitarist Mikael Еkerfeldt and drummer Anders Nordin are ex-ERUPTION players and had known each other as friends since the age of 5. Established during 1987, ERUPTION comprising Еkerfeldt, Nordin, guitarist Nick Doring and bassist Jocke Horney, had mainly pursued death metal covers by the likes of DEATH, BLACK SABBATH and BATHORY. Horney was swiftly replaced by Stephan Claesberg. The musicians first, faltering steps at composing original material produced tracks such as 'Procreation Of Maledictions', 'Obedient Souls', 'Condemned To Hell' and 'Sarcastic Reign', although ERUPTION never demoed or even performed live.

Singer David Isberg’s previous band OPETH, centred in the Taby suburb of Stockholm and taking its title from the Opet moon city described by author Wilbur Smith, had floundered when Isberg had attempted to introduce Еkerfeldt into the ranks during 1990. This strategy did not find favour and the main mass of members split off to create CROWLEY, issuing a 1991 demo 'The Gate'. Meantime, the Еkerfeldt and Isberg subsequently combined to reforge the act subtly retitled OPETH. As a budding, occult influenced duo Еkerfeldt and Isberg’s inaugural compositions took on titles 'Requiem Of Lost Souls' and 'Mystique Of The Baphomet', subsequently re-worked into 'Mark Of The Damned' and 'Forest Of October' respectively.

ERUPTION colleagues Nick Doring and Anders Nordin were invited to enroll then second guitarist Andreas Dimeo was recruited for OPETH’s debut gig, comprising just two songs, supporting THERION, EXCRUCIATE and AUTHORISE in February 1991. However, shortly after both Dimeo and Doring decamped quickly after. The former CRIMSON CAT duo of Kim Pettersson and Johan DeFarfalla plugged the gap for a second show held in Gothenburg sharing the stage with AT THE GATES, THERION, MEGASLAUGHTER, DESECRATOR and SARCAZM. The new pair would also drift off, although Pettersson stayed loyal for a final 1991 concert with ASPHYX and DESULTORY, and more significantly Isberg left for pastures new in LIERS IN WAIT.

Just 3 gigs into their career, OPETH were now starting to pen much moodier material such as the prototype 'Poise Into Celeano', later to mutate into album track 'Advent'. Еkerfeldt took the lead vocal role as he rebuilt the band with ex-SYLT I KRYSSET ("Jam on the cross") guitarist Peter Lindgren and bassist Stephan Guteklint. OPETH never officially cut any demos, although a two track 1994 cassette was leaked comprising 'Forest Of October' and 'In The Mist She Was Standing'. Securing a deal with the British Candlelight Records label the debut album ‘Orchid’ was cut at Swanц’s Unisound Recordings in March 1994 using previous member De Farfalla on session bass, Guteklint journeying on to join MINDWATCH. A double vinyl edition, pressed by Dutch label Displeased, added an extra track with 'Into The Forest of Winter'.

For an extreme Metal album, 'Orchid’s presentation, the album cover simply bearing the flower of the same name, proved deceptive. Once past the packaging, fans revelled in a labyrinth of sound, discordant song structures and apparent chaotic structure. Guitars ranged from crunching Death Metal to lilting acoustics, the bass took on an uncharacteristic prominence, percussion was more in keeping with freeform Jazz whilst vocals took on many tongues, from blackened howls, gut wrenching growls to ethereal pure tones. So confusing was this assembly that in the mastering process tracks were misplaced, with the closing segment of ‘Requiem’ mistakenly tacked onto the beginning of ‘The Apostle In Triumph’.

Gigs followed in the Spring of 1995 including a London Astoria show alongside VED BUENS ENDE, HECATE ENTHRONED and IMPALED NAZARENE. OPETH’s second album, 'Morningrise' produced once again by Dan Swanц and released in June 1996, was an exercise in oppressive malaise, a quintet of equally morose, lumbering leviathans imbued with near impenetrable poetic filigree. The album left reviewers either perplexed or in awe whilst existing fans lapped up the twenty minute 'Black Rose Immortal', detractors cruelly labelled the band's Progressive Rock persuasions as "boring". 'Morningrise' promoted with a support slot to MORBID ANGEL in the UK and to CRADLE OF FILTH in Europe. Following these dates both Nordin and De Farfalla made their exit. Perservering, Еkerfelt pulled in a brand new rhythm section of Uruguayans bassist Martin Mйndez and ex-AMON AMARTH drummer Martin Lуpez, both members of REQUIEM AETERNAM.

This latest incarnation of OPETH cut the 'My Arms, Your Hearse' album, described as a "third observation", during the August and September 1997. The band chose a fresh location to have their art "absorbed by the electronical devices", utilising Fredman studios and employing the production team of Frederik Nordstrцm and Anders Fridйn. 'My Arms, Your Hearse' was delivered to the public in August 1998 and further UK live action saw supports to CRADLE OF FILTH in December 1998, shortly after which the band signed to new label Peaceville Records. This union resulted in the self-produced album 'Still Life', hammered out at both Fredman Studios and Maestro Musik during April and May 1999 being ushered out in October. Heavier than previous outings, the album benefited from a brighter sonic value and criticism aimed at their meandering approach to songwriting saw tracks cut down in length.



TRACKLIST:

1. Prologue
2. April Ethereal
3. When
4. Madrigal
5. The Amen Corner
6. Demon Of The Fall
7. Credence
8. Karma
9. Epilogue

Bonus Tracks:
10. Circle Of The Tyrant
11. Remember Tomorrow

LINE-UP:

Mikael Еkerfeldt (vocals/ guitar)
Peter Lindgren (guitar)
Martin Mendez (bass)
Martin Axenrot (drums)