The official Opeth thread v. In Cauda Venenum

[Zantera]

[Zydar]

haha 

[emtee]

I need more spins to digest it. My immediate reaction was, 'I've heard this before.' Not saying I don't like it...just need a few more listens.

[wolfking]

I've been looking at Wikipedia...

So, §1, §2, §3 etc. are all official song titles? 

What does that symbol mean?  To a dumb Aussie it just looks like hieroglyphics.

[Zydar]

What does that symbol mean?  To a dumb Aussie it just looks like hieroglyphics.

It's a paragraph sign, to reference a specific paragraph within a section of a document. I'm assuming it has to do with the title "The Last Will And Testament".

I don't know if the song titles are to be pronounced "1st Paragraph" or "Paragraph One".

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Are there track lengths posted anywhere? How much of an edit is this first release? Is it like a 6 min song or a 10 min song I mean

also the track names are kind of giving Sigur Ros - (), lol

[faizoff]

01 - §1 (00:06:11)
02 - §2 (00:05:40)
03 - §3 (00:05:11)
04 - §4 (00:07:05)
05 - §5 (00:07:35)
06 - §6 (00:06:16)
07 - §7 (00:06:28)
08 - A Story Never Told (00:07:10)

This is on one of the pre-order page listings

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Interesting, thanks for posting that! I agree with whoever mentioned they shouldn't have bothered with a single edit lol

EDIT: Though maybe it's just like 45 seconds of spoken word intro or something? In that case, would make sense to edit it out for the hype release

[twosuitsluke]

Apparently the unedited version of the song is on Apple Music. I read that it's an instrumental section that segues into the next song.

[billboy73]

Man, I was blown away when I heard the song last night! Can't wait for the album to drop.  Really love the atmosphere of the song.  The cover art, the concept, and the song all have me so excited for this album!

[fadetoblackdude7]

It's a paragraph sign, to reference a specific paragraph within a section of a document. I'm assuming it has to do with the title "The Last Will And Testament".

I don't know if the song titles are to be pronounced "1st Paragraph" or "Paragraph One".

So strange that only one song has an actual title 😂

[twosuitsluke]

I've already listened to it like 7 or 8 times. It's kind of a strange song, and I don't love it yet, but I am interested.

I'm terrible at describing what I'm hearing, so bear with me.

The intro is weirdly reminiscent of something older, but also could fit right in on ICV. I think it's the drumming that gives me Oldpeth.

That weird droning, siren wail sound is kinda creepy, but i like it. The growls are definitely welcomed but Mikael's cleans sound like they do on ICV. I don't know if it's the way they're recorded/sung, but it's a very distinct style that I don't think he's used on precious records.

Anyone know who else is doing vocals on this track? There seem to be a few instances where Mikael isn't the one singing (talking?).

[Zydar]

I'm checking out the credits on Genius.com for this song. 

Opeth – §1 Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

Spoken word: Ian Anderson & Mirjam Åkerfeldt. 

[ProfessorPeart]

What does that symbol mean?  To a dumb Aussie it just looks like hieroglyphics.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_sign

[Bentower]

Definitely a cool track. The growls are welcome and they sound A-OK by Mikael's modern standards, but not deep and visceral like the legendary days.

This album with its track layout has all the makings of "to be performed live in its entirety". We shall see. I'll be securing a ticket for February for sure.

[twosuitsluke]

MIKAEL ÅKERFELDT On Returns Of Death Growls In Upcoming OPETH Album: "I Wanted It To Happen When People Had Stopped Caring"

https://www.sonicperspectives.com/news/mikael-akerfeldt-explains-returns-of-death-growls-in-upcoming-opeth-album/

[MinistroRaven]

I like it

[Buddyhunter1]

So I guess he changed his mind on all future albums being sung in Swedish, too?

[geeeemo]

Here is quite a bit of info on the concept and information from Mikael. I've listened to the song several times. Reading the lyrics and knowing the concept and and outline of the story, makes it Very interesting. I am enjoying it more now with this information.
https://ghostcultmag.com/opeth-shares-a-new-single-%C2%A71-new-album-coming-soon/

[nick_z]

Background vocals by Joey Tempest in one song! 

[Max Kuehnau]

Definitely a cool track. The growls are welcome and they sound A-OK by Mikael's modern standards, but not deep and visceral like the legendary days.

This album with its track layout has all the makings of "to be performed live in its entirety". We shall see. I'll be securing a ticket for February for sure.

yeah since it's a concept album

[ErHaO]

I think it is a great song. A good balance between old and new.

I am not super surprised he growls again. He sounds so much better now than like a ten year period before 2023 or so (especially around 2014 or so, see that Rock am Ring show). And he looks like he is having fun with it live, even growling at a spot where the original song does not have any when I saw them last year.

[Max Kuehnau]

Here is quite a bit of info on the concept and information from Mikael. I've listened to the song several times. Reading the lyrics and knowing the concept and and outline of the story, makes it Very interesting. I am enjoying it more now with this information.
https://ghostcultmag.com/opeth-shares-a-new-single-%C2%A71-new-album-coming-soon/

oi, The Shining (and possibly Wuthering Heights as well, the book that is, not the piece by Kate Bush)

[Evermind]

Very solid. My interest for this album is at its peak now, hopefully it delivers. I don't want the old Opeth, but this blend of growls with his newer sound is appealing.

[Max Kuehnau]

to me, it most likely will (given the lineup the band is in now)

[Kram]

Fuck yeah! I got goosebumps when he started growling lol. Super excited for this now!

[Buddyhunter1]

I re-listened to their last couple albums today, and surprisingly I think I prefer Sorceress over In Cauda Venenum, though they're very close. ICV is very consistent, but it's also a bit too drawn-out and doesn't have as many highlights as Sorceress does to me.

I'm definitely more excited for the new album than I was before hearing the single. The growls returning honestly doesn't mean all that much in a vacuum (though it was a HUGE surprise when I first heard them), but they represent a change of pace for the band that they've sorely needed for a while now, because even though I still like their post-Watershed material, I definitely think it had started to get a bit too boring and same-y.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Sorceress is the album that I still have yet to really get into, still no real standouts on it for me yet.  I'll have to give it another try in the next few months. 

[twosuitsluke]

I love Sorceress, it's almost neck and neck with ICV. I especially love the song that sounds like it's straight off a JRPG.

[Sacul]

I still haven't listened to In Cauda Venenum - I was kinda disinterested with prog when they began releasing their post-Wathershed records, but now that I've been warming up to those sounds again, I'll give them a try.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

70s-sounding prog...not in English, we've found your new favorites!

[ErHaO]

On a sidenote, here is their Wacken performance from yesterday (official streaming site of Germany): Opeth Wacken 2024 

The Grand Conjuration
Demon of the Fall
The Drapery Falls
In My Time of Need
Heir Apparent
Ghost of Perdition
Sorceress
Deliverance

[Buddyhunter1]

On a sidenote, here is their Wacken performance from yesterday (official streaming site of Germany): Opeth Wacken 2024 

I'm glad they're not slowing the songs down so much like they were when I saw them last time.

[wolfking]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_sign

Thank you.  I guess I should have known something like this, but I did not.

[Volante99]

Well the good news is the growls are back.

The bad news is that cheesy fucking mellotron is slathered all over the damn track.

I like Mikael's weirdness (Heritage is actually an under appreciated gem in my opinion) but this song is completely devoid of a hook or recognizable melody.