OPETH – Manchester Academy 2 – 15/10/14
On the last occasion I saw Opeth in Manchester, back in 2011, I had genuine concerns over the perceived direction of the band. The ‘Heritage’ album received a mixed reception, eschewing the Death Metal aspects, instead transcending full on prog. Their set reflected this with a mixture of new tracks intermingled with old, but all the same common denominator, clean vocals, not a single growl uttered by Mikael Akerfeldt throughout the whole evening. While still a fine performance, some dissent was shown from the audience, with a tiny, but visible proportion leaving nonplussed.
As the (delayed) release of latest album ‘Pale Communion’ appeared in August this year, if anything even lighter in prog tones, once again thoughts turned to whether the metal magnificence of yore would ever re-appear. The gig tonight was downgraded from Academy 1 to 2, perhaps suggesting some fans are not accepting the change in tack. Minimal research of set lists, video footage and reports from festivals however gave the Opeth faithful hope that their UK tour would reveal the band at their live best once more. Furthermore, receipt of an e-mail from friend and Sonic Bandwagon contributor, Gareth Allen, with a simple message “Opeth were on fire last night in Glasgow! We all agreed just about the best we had ever seen them,” further set the scene for the night ahead.
Support arrived early in the shape of French ‘Shoegaze’ outfit Alcest, who’s set I missed the majority of due to the 7.15 start to facilitate what turned out to be a couple of hours of Opeth. What I did hear of Alcest I enjoyed immensely, proving a much heavier prospect than anticipated, amalgamating elements of Post Metal and Doom into their dense, effects laden sound. Having been around since 2000, the feeling I’ve missed something rather special pervades as the band leave to a looped wall of noise, with much future investigation required.
And so to the headliners, the stage backdrop and lighting suggest a quasi-religious experience ahead and so it proves. Immediately apparent from the prog jazz infused cacophonous opening of ‘Eternal Rains Will Come’, taken from the latest ‘Pale Communion’ album, Opeth are indeed on fire. There’s a sonically tight confidence and swagger, mixed with obvious enjoyment instantaneously projected around the Academy to an enraptured audience. ‘Eternal Rains’ gives way to a second ‘Pale Communion’ track ‘Cusp of Eternity’,before the introduction to ‘Bleak’ confirms classic Death material is back with an unmitigated vengeance. Main man Mikael Akerfeldt has on occasion struggled to project his growled vocals live, not the case this evening! Vocally faultless throughout!
As ever, Akerfeldt is the focal point, his between song banter and audience interaction is legendary in metal circles, holding court once again on numerous, slightly random topics including Kiss, Celtic Frost lyrics, a support slot for The Blood Divine at The Witchwood in Ashton, their guitar techs serial killer fetish, and most bizarrely of all, Kiwi fruit, at the behest of an antipodean fan. As shouts ring around the auditorium for particular favourites and a false start of ‘Baying of the Hounds,’ Akerfeldt lightly admonishes the crowd, declaring, “Too many classics guys……. we aren’t a pub band, we don’t do requests” before launching feverishly into another monstrous epic.
As sets go, tonight is almost flawless for any fan of Opeth. They straddle the back catalogue with ‘April Ethereal’ from ‘My Arms Your Hearse’, through to the third ‘Pale Communion’ offering ‘Elysian Vows.’ Also included is material spanning ‘Still Life, Morningrise,’ ‘Damnation,’ Heritage,’ ‘Watershed,’ Ghost Reveries’ culminating with a thirteen minute encore of ‘Deliverance’ from the album of the same name.
Opeth are simply majestic tonight, Mikael suggests at one point that being only five gigs into the tour, they haven’t hit their stride yet, still operating slightly unprofessionally. If this is the band just warming up, shows to come will be utterly phenomenal. Each member plays an undoubted part, the two Martins, Mendez and Axenrot, a rhythm section as tight as you’ll ever experience. Fredrik Akesson on lead guitar compliments Akerfeldt perfectly, an unholy union of stringed wonder and Joakim Svalberg’s keys, providing swirling depth and atmospherics in the heavier aspects , projecting to the fore when progressive rock demands.
Any concerns about the validity of Opeth as a metal force are shattered tonight, quite simply one of the best bands in the world, whatever the genre. The fact they constantly produce music of such quality is testament to their legacy as major influencers rather than mere followers.
Call yourself a fan of music? You must see Opeth live……… it’s a bucket list experience!
Set List
Eternal Rains Will Come
Cusp of Eternity
Bleak
The Moor
Advent
Elysian Woes
Windowpane
The Devils Orchard
April Ethereal
The Lotus Eater
The Grand Conjuration
Encore
Deliverance
http://www.opeth.com/home/
Photos By Mike Ainscoe
About the Author
Andy Barnes An avid music fan for far more years than he cares remember, and an avid gig goer since the age of fifteen. Of the three Sonic Bandwagon presenters, Andy exhibits the most varied taste. It’s certainly not uncommon for a diabolically dark piece of Black Metal to be swiftly followed by minimalist electro pop, a laid back piece of ambient jazz or even a full scale hoedown.
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