The Swedish avant-guard progressive gothic rockers OPETH have carved quite a niche for themselves in their 10+ year history, having firmly established their constantly-evolving brand of music along side modern heavy experimental pioneers such as NEVERMORE, ANATHEMA, and THERION. Over the years, OPETH has garnered quite a large following (by underground standards) due to the critical and financial success of their albums BLACKWATER PARK, MORNINGRISE, DELIVERANCE, and DAMNATION, which in turn ensured that their concert appearances usually sell out. Their roots lay clearly within the death/doom genre, but like most evil-rockers who eventually learn to play their instruments, write songs with actual melodies, and give up on Cookie-Monster vocals, OPETH’s music has become so much more, and dare I say it--truly unique. The band was co-founded by guitarist/vocalist Mikael Akerfeldt who eventually recruited second guitarist Peter Lindgren, drummer Martin Lopez (ex-AMON AMARTH), and bassist Martin Mendez. The musical ability of Mikael Akerfeldt and company have earned OPETH the Swedish equivalent of a Grammy award. OPETH wears on its sleeve the cross-cultural musical influences of the band’s Swedish guitar duo and South American percussionists, which certainly keeps things interesting and fresh in the music department, and on-stage performances. And speaking of live performances, after 10 years in the business and six albums to their credit, Mikael Akerfeldt and company decided the time was right to release their first concert home video. Koch Entertainment and Music For Nations presents OPETH -- LAMENTATIONS: LIVE AT SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE.

This live OPETH performance is captured on film from London’s historic Shepherd’s Bush Empire, an old camera friendly BBC theater that has no seats—the audience must stand attentively while experiencing the atmospheric musical assault of OPETH. Like the originality of the group’s music, OPETH -- LAMENTATIONS: LIVE AT SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE is presented in a unique format. And being a veteran of over 20 years of concert performances, any variation in the typical rock/metal presentation is highly welcome. This show basically consists of two sets, the first one hour displays OPETH’s fondness for atmospheric, gothically-influenced material. I’ve heard other critics refer to this as an "acoustic set", but that description is really a misnomer because there is some intense electric guitar and heavy bass to accompany the acoustic sounds. The second thirty minute set shows OPETH paying tribute to their roots; these songs are more heavier and doomier than their recent albums. On both sets the music is not only thoughtfully composed, but also artfully performed by Akerfelt, Lindgren, Lopez, and Mendez. Of special note is the vocal performance of Mikael Akerfelt who changes pitch and tone as required by each song. He can sing high and clean, yet can still rip into the Cookie Monster vocals when he has to. Akerfelt is also a charismatic-yet-reserved frontman, as he provides commentary before each song, and inspires the audience to either listen to the melodies in awe, or thrash hard during the heavy parts. OPETH delve into their back catalog, performing their best material including:

• Window Pane
• In My Time of Need
• Death Whispered A Lullabye
• Closure
• Hope Leaves
• To Rid the Disease
• Ending Credits
• Harvest
• Weakness
• Master’s Apprentice
• The Drapery Falls
• Deliverance
• The Leper Affirmation
• A Fair Judgment

Koch Entertainment presents OPETH -- LAMENTATIONS: LIVE AT SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE in the full frame format. The multi-camera setup captures the show on film, which perfectly recreates the concert on your TV screen with clarity and precision. The OPETH stageshow is mired in dreary colors which bolsters the atmospheric musical compositions. This transfer exhibits deep backs and gray hues that that are perfectly calibrated. From the Audio Options menu, you can select from either Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1, or DTS 5.1 sound options. Though all three soundtracks offer crystal clear harmonies and ultra heavy guitar riffs, the DTS 5.1 offers greater depth, imaging, and bass response. Your sound system will get a workout here as OPETH swirls your living room with melodic harmonics, only to switch gears to super-heaviness and back again (all in the same song). Martin Lopez’s drumming is super crisp in both DTS and DD 5.1. OPETH -- LAMENTATIONS: LIVE AT SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE features only one noteworthy extra (but its a big one). The disc includes a one hour documentary called The Making of Deliverance and Damnation, which details OPETH in the studio recording the music for those two highly acclaimed albums. In between these studio sessions, the band members discuss the history of the band including line-op changes, label changes, and other musical hurdles that Mikael and co. have overcome.

OPETH have come a long way since their inception in the early 1990’s. They have progressed both creatively and professionally with each album, and have forged a sound that is unlike any other band. Akerfelt, Lindgren, Lopez, and Mendez have broken through the limited musical barrier of their Death Metal roots (although OPETH still play a few extreme metal songs from their early days during their live shows). OPETH surely deserves their own DVD, and Koch Entertainment have put together quite a package for OPETH -- LAMENTATIONS: LIVE AT SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE, which is highlighted by a stellar DTS track and a documentary that provides all you ever wanted to know about this thoughtful and intelligent musical act.

 OPETH: LIVE AT SHEPARD'S BUSH is available from DVDEmpire.com