Metal is full of wildmen, who carry on with outrageous stage antics and explosive, unpredictable mayhem.
And then there’s Mikael Akerfeldt.
His low-key, Gen X, dry wit and demeanor - - sometimes in contrast with the music - - make him far more compelling and likable than the raving madmen.
Opeth shows are becoming a cherished comfort. The core group of Akerfeldt on lead vox and guitar, Fredrik Akesson on co-lead guitar, Martin Mendez on bass, and Joakim Svalberg on keys, have all been together for a long time - - with Svalberg the most recent addition in 2011. Even with a last-minute, pre-tour addition of Sami Karpinnen on drums, replacing outgoing Martin Axenrot, they sound like musicians who are comfortable with each other, playing off Akerfeldt’s leadership. It’s truly a marvel to behold. Every time.
These were possibly their best-ever stage visuals too. No effects or pyro, just a great set of imagery on the screen behind the drum riser.
So they didn’t play “Blackwater Park” on this latest tour.
And the crowd at the Mesa Amphitheater didn’t let them forget it. After the first shout of “Play Blackwater Park!”, Mikael responded with a quiet, “We love you too.” But as the night wore on and the shouts continued, he mimicked, “Play Blackwater Park,” in a gently mocking voice, then talked about the album’s 20th anniversary, before leading into one of that record’s other epics, “The Drapery Falls.”
I’ve commented about this in other Opeth show reviews too. . . Opeth have a tremendous catalogue, full of great songs - - but this is one of the definitive pieces of their legacy. As a relative latecomer to the band (I discovered them in the early 2000s), “Blackwater Park” was the song that cemented me as a devoted fan. Every show, the fans cry out for this song more than any other. Mikael is aware of the demand; I hope we get it in the setlist on their next tour.
In fact, every song in the setlist is familiar to anyone who has seen them live in the past few years: “Demon of the Fall,” “Cusp of Eternity,” “The Devil’s Orchard,” traditional set closer: “Deliverance”. . . Thankfully, these songs are brilliant and Opeth perform them with tremendous soul and power. Rather than a tired rerun (as would be the case for lesser bands with unchanging setlists), seeing Opeth again live is like rewatching a favorite film. You know the best parts by heart, but you love every minute, just the same.
In full disclosure:
The bill for the show is Zeal and Ardor, Mastodon, and Opeth. I am a huge fan of Zeal and Ardor, but have yet to see them live. I also heart Mastodon; they absolutely destroy live. I wish I could have made it to the venue earlier to catch all 3 bands, but life had other plans.
Opeth are a great consolation, though.
Opeth Setlist:
Livets Tradgard (Garden of Earthly Delights)
Hjärtat vet vad handen gör (Hand in Heart)
Demon of the Fall
Cusp of Eternity
The Devil’s Orchard
The Drapery Falls
Windowpane
Sorceress
Deliverance
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