Opeth @ The Palace, Melbourne(5/9/08)

Mon 8th Sep, 2008 in Gig Reviews

Opeth played to a sold out pack of metal heads at The Palace in Bourke street on Saturday night to kick off their Watershed album tour. There were smoke machines and incandescent blue lights, setting the scene for a night of progressive metal infused with the likes of jazz and folk with their obvious heavy metal influences.

An abundance of metal fans, particularly die-hard Opeth enthusiasts wearing a variety of many metal bands such as one of Opeth’s own influences Slayer on their chests, also spanning to Pantera and Iron Maiden, they all created a humid atmosphere which made it feel like summer already. These patrons crowded the venue in a surprisingly quiet and sedated manner, aside from the occasional inebriated fellow shouting and growling his best in a failed bid to impress those around, otherwise it was the oft-repeated “I love you Opeth” shouted nearby from the vicinity of my balcony view.

The precaution of plastic cups for all drinks served seemed unnecessary on this occasion; even at the sight of several littering the ground, this night saw an unusually well behaved crowd. Opeth arrived dead on time at eleven p.m. This was shortly after a short-lived “Opeth!” chant which was pacified by the sight of Mikael, Fredrik, Martin, Per and Martin Axenrot appearing casually through a mist of smoke before taking their positions.

Opeth performed a heavy plodding start, and at times it was a virtuoso-like performance from the entire band. It was also interesting to see a band that can alternate from distinctly heavy, dark growls to allayed spots of what could be described as poignant reflection or “meditation music” as one reveler noted.

The meanderings of front man Mikael provided an altogether different show, with casual brief breaks in between songs allowing for some relief from growls while Mikael switched to clean vocals assuring he can indeed sing songs rather than specifically provide his less than gracious underpinnings.

Mikael inserts retorts such as “I would consider moving to Australia” in his eloquent speech pattern that sounds like he is from upper class England rather than Opeth’s homeland of Sweden. Thereafter the band launch into to Rid the Disease off 2003’s Damnation amongst a vast array of tracks spanning their eighteen year career.

It was around this time that I noted how metal gigs are a whole new experience, and Opeth became my formidable introductory band into the world of heavy metal. Mikael continues with his at times comical banter and dry humor with “we have a new album out if you’re interested” before introducing a taste from their ninth album Watershed for those fans that may have been living under a rock these past months.

Lulls in the set are extended with mesmeric guitar work and great collaboration from a band which despite going through member changes, are cohesive and deserving of the respect and admiration they garner throughout the metal community. It was a joy to experience such a show that can alter to such growling lengths with a splintering of thunder and a hail of metallic fun while having the ability to also shine in several other forms. Mikael adds a contrasting temperament with a light-hearted and articulately spoken enquiry “it was fun to play…is it close to a sexual experience?”

Violent distortion ensues quickly and I undergo a switch in perception of the genre of metal as the two hour set comes to a close. Opeth are genre defying however, and their music gravitates leaps and bounds above most heavy bands. It felt like Opeth were playing a stadium show at times, leaving patrons with a pleasing and satisfyingly collective effort.

CHECK OUT THE GREAT GALLERY OF PIX FROM THE GIG HERE