Swedish prog rockers Opeth rolled into Perth on Wednesday night to a packed crowd, eager to catch the metal titans who are touring in support of their latest album “In Cauda Venenum”. After their previous run in 2017, it was interesting to see the further progression of the band who have come a long way since the Blackwater Park years.
Opening the night were Perth’s own prog geniuses Voyager who just came off the Good Things Festival shows over east and it was great to see a very well attended showing for the local band who are at the top of their game. By this point they are a staple in any Perth fan’s radar so anyone who hadn’t heard of the band by now would have to be living under a rock.
Also with a new album out ‘Colours in the Sun’, the 5 piece made no qualms about supporting the mighty Opeth which they had done before and given the nature of the lighter side of Opeth, Voyager really fitted in just perfect. The new track “Colours” sounded great and as most of their live performances, on point with the studio version. The Astor Theatre has a brilliant sound and the now veteran “sandgroper” heavy act took advantage of it with their well oiled, polished sound, impressing everyone in attendance.
Finishing up with the super heavy and technical “Ascension”, Voyager led the way for the Swedish act to follow but make no mistake, Voyager held their own very well as they always do.
Opeth have gone through a pretty interesting evolution over the years, some may say controversial as far as fan feedback is concerned in regards to the direction of the Swedish act’s musical style. The one thing noticable tonight more than possibly any previous recent tours here is the very retro looking, 70’s style prog vibe Opeth seem to ooze these days. What’s just as interesting is how bands like Soilwork for example have also gone for that more classic sound – is there something Sweden knows that we are behind on?
Regardless though, Opeth sounded absolutely amazing tonight, much like their previous appearance two years ago where I remember distinctly walking away after that show thinking that had to be one of the best sounding concerts I had ever been to. The glorious aesthetics of the Astor Theatre welcomed that very Opeth sound more so, even when the band jumped into their more heavier aspects like in the groovy “Reverie/Harlequin Forest”. It’s that ability to maintain a consistency there sonically that is a feat on it’s own but it’s the entertainment aspect together with precision playing that make this a very well rounded show.
Focusing largely on later material with only the occasional nod to earlier works like the popular “Damnation” album, Opeth set out to achieve unity with their fans to embrace the sound Opeth want. Judging by the reactions, the crowd was definitely on their side and so Opeth set forward to display one unique track after another. The surprise hit of the night was the jazz juggernaut “Nepenthe” from the Heritage album, not the most metal song in the world but boy do Opeth really do a number on this. It’s this kind of versatility that is nothing short of impressive but if there was anyone not into it in the crowd, they sure kept it quiet.
Frontman Mikael Akerfeldt was in a particular good mood tonight too, his usual dry banter a show in and of itself, giving punters a few laughs and also a bit of education in Opeth history with a particular note of a 30 year anniversary looming large on the band next year. With a packed house tonight, that’s a sure sign that Opeth have really been hitting the nail on the head with recent albums.
Fan favorites “Sorceress” and “Deliverance” rounded out the set towards the end of the night which seemed to go way too quick even for a mid-week show. But that’s what happens when a show is that enjoyable, time is lost as you soak in the brilliant sounds of a band who have transformed from an innovative metal band to a prog genius act. Tonight is about as good as Opeth has ever been and while a few more older cuts would have been nice, the set we got was still a damn good one.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Jessica Vaini at JV Photo Film
Opeth
Voyager
OPETH AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES REMAINING:
Melbourne – Friday 13 December – Palais Theatre
Sydney – Saturday 14 December – State Theatre – SOLD OUT
Brisbane – Sunday 15 December – Tivoli Theatre – SOLD OUT
Tickets on sale now from: http://davidroywilliams.com/tours/opeth2019/
