Ranking Every Opeth Studio Album From Worst To Best

13. Orchid (1995)

The goal of any artist is to perpetually equal, if not outdo, their prior work, so saying that Opeth’s first album is also their worst is more of a compliment to the group than a knock against the LP.

After all, the band improved in every way afterward, but that doesn’t mean that Orchid is rendered unlistenable or irrelevant in hindsight. On the contrary, its innovative and poised venture into the worlds of black, thrash, and death metal – with sprinkles of folk, jazz, and classical throughout – remains quite praiseworthy and pleasing.

For one thing, songs like Under the Weeping Moon and Forest of October successfully incorporate the DNA of stylistic kings like Metallica, Mercyful Fate, and Slayer in Opeth’s distinctly intricate structures. Elsewhere, opener In Mist She Was Standing and Requiem throw in some now-trademark acoustic guitar arpeggios and jazzily warm respites, while Silhouette is an atypical piano instrumental full of classical importance and dexterity.

Most importantly, the album sees Åkerfeldt already displaying extraordinary range as both a hellish screamer and heavenly singer. Thus, Orchid lingers as a prophetic and enjoyable starting point that can’t help but be immediately outshone.