Ranking Every Opeth Studio Album From Worst To Best
5. Damnation (2003)
Whereas Deliverance (which was issued several months earlier) contained glimpses of peacefulness amidst its perpetual anger, the simultaneously recorded Damnation saw Opeth totally forgo their heaviness. Obviously, it was a controversial move, yet Åkerfeldt knew that the uncharacteristically brief and benign sequence would be worth the risk.
Of course, that’s putting it lightly, as its eight concise tunes are overwhelmingly affective, serene, and meticulously penned and performed. Producer Steven Wilson takes a more active role, too, particularly in terms of his backing vocals and keyboard coatings.
The material is so awe-inspiring that it’s difficult to choose any favorites. But, if push comes to shove, the breathtaking guitarwork, keyboards, and verses of Windowpane are a clear highlight. The divine bellows of Death Whispered a Lullaby; the askew rhythms of Closure; and the unfiltered sorrow of Hope Leaves and To Rid the Disease place them on the same level.
Even the finale, Ending Credits, does a brilliant job of conjuring 1970s great Camel as it evokes the finality of My Arms, Your Hearse’s Credence. Afterward, Weakness acts as a chillingly abstract coda that further drives Damnation into your soul.
As exaggerated as it may sound to say, it’s nearly a perfect album