There are few bands that can or will match Swedens Opeth. Since forming in the tiny Stockholm suburb of Bandhagen in 1990, the Swedes have eclipsed convention, defiantly crushed the odds, and, most importantly, crafted 12 stunningly beautiful, intrinsically intense albums to become one of the best bands on the planet; whether that be live or on record.

Opeths new album, Sorceress, their first for Nuclear Blast via the bands imprint label Moderbolaget Records, is proof chief architect Mikael kerfeldt has a near-endless well of greatness inside. From the albums opener Persephone to The Wilde Flowers and Strange Brew to the albums counterpart title tracks Sorceress and Sorceress 2, Opeths twelfth full-length is an unparalleled adventure, where visions cleverly and secretly change, colours mute as if weathered by time, and sounds challenge profoundly. Sorceress is, by definition, moored in kerfeldts impressive record collectionhis one true vicebut, as always, theres more invention than appropriation at play.

Certainly, every Opeth record has had diversity. In 1995, Orchid reset the rules of death metal. Six years later, Blackwater Park hit the high note for musicality in a genre generally devoid of it. And in 2014, Pale Communion officially bridged the progressive music gap by twisting the intrepid sounds of 60s, 70s, and 80s into contemporary brilliance. So, really, whats so different about Sorceress?

For Sorceress, Opeth returned to Rockfield Studios in Wales, where the Swedes had tracked Pale Communion in 2014 with Tom Dalgety. The experience was so positive and historicalthe countryside studio was also home to pivotal Budgie, Queen, Rush, Judas Priest, and Mike Oldfield recordingsthere really was no other option for Opeth and crew. Luckily, for kerfeldt and crewbassist Martn Mndez, drummer Martin Axenrot, guitarist Fredrik kesson, and keyboardist Joakim Svalbergthe lineup doesnt have to deal with Sorceress main theme. Theyve been together since Heritage was completed, and according to kerfeldt hes not been in a better band situation before. Not since Orchid. Not since Still Life. Not since Ghost Reveries.

Its the best band situation Ive ever had. Fans will look at our eras and have their favorite lineup, but this is the best. Even the happiest days of the first and second lineups arent comparable to what I have now. We never fight. Its like a good work team. We know each other professionally and personally. As much as were a band, were also friends. We hang out when were not doing Opeth.

Tracklist:
CD 1:

Bonus CD: