CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE BLISTERING OPETH SHOW HERE.

I’ve always liked what I’ve heard of Opeth, but never got into them. Mind you, I have never had the opportunity to listen to the fabled Blackwater Park, so it’s understandable. After seeing them live, I can now see what all the fuss is about. They fucking rocked in ultimate Swedish metal style.

The onslaught was brutal. Heir Apparent thundered through the crowd like Zeus, before Master’s Apprentices and Baying Of The Hounds left the crowd reeling. Vocalist and guitarist Mikael Akerfeld was all over the register, from steel wool to delicate lace, while he let rip forth powerful guitar riffs as well as light interludes. To Rid The Disease, an example of Opeth’s softer side, still nevertheless managed to deliver a few heavy punches. The Lotus Eater shone in its herbivorous glory, leaving some prostrate and other vomiting in the urinals due to too much excitement.

The Night And The Silent Water, Serenity Painted Death, Bleak and Deliverance all came barrelling out from the stage to an eager crowd lapping up every second. Opeth have incredibly dedicated fans. I saw a guy wearing an Opeth t-shirt, hoodie and wristband and still go up and buy a beanie. In the pit there wasn’t a face in the crowd left unsmiling or screaming. After a solid two hours of this Swedish fury, the band brought forth the infernal Demon Of The Fall and left the stage.

With all mouths left agape (if they weren’t being used to cheer for an encore, that is) we were lifted by the brutal and exquisite epic that is The Drapery Falls. This proved a damn fine showing from the Swedish metallers.