If you are an Opeth fan, things don't get much better than this! The DVD companion to 2007's The Roundhouse Tapes is finally here, a stellar near 2 hour set recorded at the London Roundhouse on November 9th, 2006, at the tail end of the long Ghost Reveries tour. The set, played in front of a large, packed audience at this legendary venue, draws from most of the band's albums (oddly enough except Deliverance), giving a nice history of Opeth's material. Highlights are many, including a chilling version of "Under the Weeping Moon" from their first album Orchid, bombastic renditions of classics like "When", "Ghost of Perdition", "Bleak", and of course the epic "Blackwater Park". Surprises include the gorgeous, gentle numbers "Windowpane" and "Face of Melinda", two songs that show the melodic, folk-prog side of the band, and the crushing "Night and the Silent Water", a prog-death masterpiece from their sophomore record Morningrise. Closing the set is the crowd favorite "Demon of the Fall", which sets the fans into a huge mosh pit of flying bodies and violent frenzy. Mikael Akerfeldt is a hoot throughout, as between each song there is plenty of banter with the crowd, much of it very funny (the guy should consider a career in stand up comedy after Opeth), giving the precedings a very warm and intimate feel. Musically & vocally, the band is spot on here, as always, and the quality of the sound and video is absolutely fantastic.
Sadly, this is perhaps the last live footage to include guitarist Peter Lindgren, who left the band shortly after this tour. Apparently he had been tiring of the writing and recording process, and had thought about leaving for a few years. It's interesting to watch him talk during the intervew segments, knowing that he gave his resignation not long afterwards.
With the bonus features, not only do you get the interview segments with the band, but plenty of reaction from the audience who were there that night, both before and after the gig, which is quite a fun watch. Add in some brief soundcheck footage and a photo gallery and you have one 'must have' DVD for progressive death metal fans. One word says it all-essential!
Track Listing
1. "When" − 10:28
2. "Ghost of Perdition" − 10:57
3. "Under the Weeping Moon" − 10:28
4. "Bleak" − 8:39
5. "Face of Melinda" − 9:58
6. "The Night and the Silent Water" − 10:29
7. "Windowpane" − 8:01
8. "Blackwater Park" − 18:59
9. "Demon of the Fall" − 8:13
The DVD also features fan and band interviews as well as Soundcheck footage and a Photo gallery of the Ghost Reveries world tour.
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