There was a time when calling Opeth progressive death metal seemed like a neat and tidy way to sum up their varied career. When it comes to “Heritage” however, the latter half of that genre tag no longer applies.
For as the title seems to suggest, “Heritage” feels like a tribute to the bands more cultured and seminal influences. It’s certainly an album that finds the group blasting off on a spacey prog rock-led odyssey. But in order to reach orbit they’ve jettisoned the majority, if not all, of their blackened death metal hallmarks.
Thankfully 2011’s “Cold Lake” this is not (we did already have “Illud Divinum Insanus” after all.) But it does find the band on a course many of their fans would not have expected.
At its core “Heritage” comes off like a loving, if not somewhat selfish, homage. One that pays endless tribute to the prog and psych rock bands that helped to define a musical generation over three decades ago. Truly its whirring collage of fusion, meaty prog rock hooks and psyche groove speak from a different era. This in itself is a touching gesture, but not one endearing enough to forgive the albums continually stunted momentum.
Repeatedly the effort is bogged down by ethereal folky tenderness and depressive melancholy. Sure the songs here are beautifully played, but they have little in the way of structure, if not drive as well. Ultimately far too much of “Heritage” unfolds like a listless collection of drawn out jam sessions. Yes, there are some majestic chops and moments of near aural hypnotism afoot.
But rarely does any of if congeal into anything that the listener can digest. Music as artistic expression is certainly fine, but the lack of momentum found on the lion’s share of this offering just makes it far too esoteric to retain.
That’s not to say it entirely meanders. There is the intricate groove laden boogie of “The Devil’s Orchard” (and to a lesser extent “The Lines In My Hand“.) But that aside little else but dramatic noodling and sweeping aural despondency is served up.
Don’t get me wrong, Opeth have certainly earned and deserve their cult status. But it’s a stretch to see “Heritage” as being anywhere near a crucial addition to their already excellent back catalogue.
