OPETH 'STILL LIFE' 2LP

Long-standing Swedish progressive-metal pioneers & trailblazers Opeth initially burst onto the scene out of relative obscurity with their monumental 1995 debut, ‘Orchid’. Showing a clear understanding for dynamics, melody & intricate composition from the offset, word of this little-known but already hotly-tipped group had spread quickly through the underground, with portions of the metal press rightly hailing this bold new combination of progressive metal, death metal & touches of black metal as a sign of a band destined for great things. Highly revered by fans & extreme metal press alike, Opeth released a further two albums of similar depth & quality, whilst still looking for their big, defining breakthrough moment.

‘Still Life’ was Opeth’s fourth career studio release, & first outing for Peaceville. Armed with renewed enthusiasm, the band delivered a flawless gem of an album. Originally released in 1999, the enigmatic ‘Still Life’ is an ambitious concept album focusing on a tale of forbidden love in dangerous times. Featuring the extraordinary voice & poetic lyrics of Mikael Akerfeldt, ‘Still Life’s’ moods range from brutal passages of extreme metal to predominantly acoustic moments of breathtaking beauty, & is regarded as one of the defining releases in helping to mark Opeth’s ascension towards being a dominant force in the world of metal & prog.

The sleeve for this pressing features the original 1999 cover artwork by Travis Smith, plus includes a four-page booklet containing an extensive interview with the band surrounding the making of the album, from when ‘Still Life’ was inducted into Decibel Magazine’s esteemed Hall of Fame.