My buddy W introduced me to Opeth. He’s a big Opeth fan. Me? Not so much, at first.

Opeth is unique. They have an amazing musicianship. The songwriting, the composition. It’s unequaled. It’s not the sort of music I’m normally into (I’m not that into death metal), but the “Damnation” album really struck me. It actually took me to listen to their later albums such as “Ghost Reveries” and “Watershed” to get into them (then I went further into the back catalog). It’s the sort of thing where I had to force myself to listen to them (or was just over at W’s house and he was always playing them), and the constant exposure helped me to appreciate them. I do think “Watershed” is an incredible album.

I always told W that if Opeth came to town I’d want to see them live (even before I was a fan). That the albums are as complex as they are, how well do they translate live, y’know? I managed to see them in Austin on the “Watershed” tour and was blown away. The show was incredible. They can pull it off live. Singer, guitarist, and main creative force Mikael Åkerfeldt has an interesting wit about him, so calm and serene yet the songs that come from him… it’s difficult to describe, but worth experiencing live.

There’s a beauty in the music, but also something dark and disturbing. Powerful and emotional. Complex yet understanding basic compositional sensibilities. Dynamic. Combining elements of metal, jazz, folk, blues, grooves, blast beats, but nothing seems unnatural or contrived like they’re trying too hard to be different. Yet, they are different. I know of nothing else like them.

I asked W for something that showcases Opeth. Here’s his recommendation: