Opeth: In Live Concert at The Royal Albert Hall (DVD/CD)

Hard to believe Opeth are celebrating 20 years as a band. I mean, it seems like only yesterday when they released the monumental Blackwater Park album in 2001, but they had already been around as a band for a decade prior to the release of that breakthrough album. To celebrate, the band planned 6 shows around the world in early 2010, labeled 'Evolution XX' , and performed the entire Blackwater Park album, as well as a second set consisting of one song from each album in their discography, played chronologically. Of the six shows, the one at the famous Royal Albert Hall in London, where many classical, opera, and even a few prog rock concerts have been performed, was chosen for this DVD.

As an attendee to one of the 6 concerts (the New York City show at Terminal 5), I can say that this was a show not to be missed for any loyal Opeth fan. In case you did happen to miss this short but very special tour, you'll want to be sure to get your hands on this massive DVD/CD box set. Not only does it contain 2 DVDs of the entire Royal Albert Hall performance, but it also features a lengthy interview with Mikael Akerfeldt, where he answers questions sent in by fans, and a fascinating documentary of the Evolution XX tour. The behind the scenes footage here is great, and for the first time we get a look at the band and see just how normal they really are.

As for the performance, the Blackwater Park set opens the show, and is flawless. Just as I noted in my review of the NYC show, at The Royal Albert Hall, there was no between song banter between Akerfeldt and the audience during this first set, as the band just rampaged through each cut from Blackwater Park with no interruptions other than a quick tune up or drink of water. The band is tight and spot on as they rip through complex classics such as "The Leper Affinity", "Bleak", "The Drapery Falls", "The Funeral Portrait", and the epic title track, but also show their tender, almost folky side on "Dirge for November", "Harvest", and "Patterns in the Ivy". Over onto DVD2 comes the second set, which features one song from each of the other Opeth albums, played from earliest to most recent. Good selections here, including some that don't get played live by the band often, including "Advent" from Morningrise, "The Moor" from the classic Still Life, the massively heavy "Wreath" from Deliverance, and perhaps one of the standout numbers here, "Harlequin Forest" from Ghost Reveries. A fitting climax comes with "The Lotus Eater" from Watershed, the bands most recent album, and its mix of death metal, prog, folk, and jazz encapsulates everything that this concert, and the band in general, is all about.

The line-up here is Akerfeldt, new lead guitarist Fredrik Akesson, new drummer Martin Axenrot, keyboard player Per Wiberg, and longtime bassist Martin Mendez. Seeing as this formation of Opeth has only been together a few short years, they played like they have been together for decades. Despite some technical difficulties with Akesson's guitar during the finale "The Lotus Eaters", the set is performed flawlessly by all, especially the two guitarists Akerfeldt & Akesson. Mikael is also in great form vocally, though you have to wonder (and you'll hear his comments on the interview with him) what the future holds for death growls in this band. You can hear on this DVD how he seems to have changed the growls slightly (perhaps to save his voice for the future, or it could be he was having vocal issues on this tour, as at the NY show I also noticed this), as they seem a little deeper and less snarling than in the past. Time will tell I suppose, but needless to say, his clean vocals keep getting better.

Toss in 3 CDs that include the entire performance from the Royal Albert Hall in audio, and you can take Evolution XX with you just about anywhere. End result is an essential purchase for all Opeth fans.

Track Listing
DVD 1-Observation One
1) The Leper Affinity
2) Bleak
3) Harvest
4) The Drapery Falls
5) Dirge for November
6) The Funeral Portrait
7) Patterns in the Ivy
8) Blackwater Park
Interview with Mikael Akerfeldt

DVD 2-Observation Two
1) Forest of October
2) Advent
3) April Ethereal
4) The Moor
5) Wreath
6) Hope Leaves
7) Harlequin Forest
8) The Lotus Eater
Ducumentary-On Tour with Opeth

Plus an additional 3 CDs with the entire set list from the DVDs

Added: November 5th 2010
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
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Language: english

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