Quote Originally Posted by kexodusc
I've only heard a few select songs by these guys and I can't figure out what the big fuss is. A few of my friends swear they're right at the top of the prog-metal scene with Dream Theater et al. All the press I see about them suggests their the best Metal band on Earth.

Whenever I've heard them I couldn't help but think they were a 1991 Death Metal band all over again. I just can't seem to get past the "pissed-off metal growl". Is this only used in a few songs? Where's a good place to start with these guys if I want to give them a chance?
I had grown bored of the hardcore for the sake of being hardcore Beastor Growl a few years back, but I suppose if the music's there and it's done well I could appreciate it.

Alot of people who seem to have good taste in music here endorse them...so I'm ready to try again. Please point me in the right direction.
They use the growls for a reason. It's part of the light/dark aspect that forms the bulk of Opeth's sound. Yes, they are definitely death metal-influenced (Akerfeldt cites Morbid Angel as an inspiration for the harder aspects of their sound), though they are far better than most of that genre. Talent-wise, Opeth has very few peers. If you listen to just the music you'd realize that they have quite a mastery over dynamics, and also a gift for melody. Soft acoustic folk flows into fiery passages of thrash/death metal virtually seamlessly. The tracks are long, and are masterfully put together, with no real exercises in wanking a la Dream Theater. Lyrics tend to be excellent too, none of the gory stupidity or Satanic references which make most of this genre so tired.

Getting adjusted to the growls takes time. I'd start with their most recent album Damnation first. Beautiful folk/prog with not a growl in sight. After that, try Morningrise, Still Life, and Blackwater Park, which are all split soft/loud in varying degrees (Morningrise is split roughly 50/50, which makes it easiest to get into--it's also my favorite Opeth album). If you like those and want something heavier (though still containing the loud/soft dynamic) buy My Arms, Your Hearse and Deliverence.

If you can't dig 'em it's okay. A lot of listeners, especially people who don't frequent the fringes of extreme metal, have a hard time with Opeth. Give them a shot, though, and be patient. You may be pleasantly surprised.

BTW...what do you think of the new Iced Earth album with Tim Owens on vocals? I've heard that it's good but doesn't hold up to the Matt Barlow albums.