Opeth's metal delights Grand Rapids Crowd
Mark Hensch
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: Arts
Swedish death metal act Opeth stormed the Orbit Room in Grand Rapids, Mich., last Thursday evening and played a powerful set that attracted several hundred people, including eight Hillsdale College students.
The 18-year-old band delivered the two-hour performance during a tour promoting their ninth and latest studio album, "Watershed." Fans witnessed a paradoxical mix of styles ranging from ferocious highs of roaring death metal to disquieting lows of soft acoustic guitars. And though each song varied in emotion, one thing remained consistent: Fans loved every second.
"Opeth plays very sophisticated, intellectual music" said senior Fritz Nuffer, who has attended two other of the band's concerts. "The musicality of their compositions is unparalleled, and they put on an astounding show."
The band launched their performance with their latest single, "Heir Apparent." Dripping with ominous guitars, melancholy piano and violent bursts of death metal, they set the stage for an evening of complex twists and turns.
Opening act High on Fire chose a more straightforward route. The trio primed the crowd with a relentless mix of raw guitar and pulverizing percussion. Front man Matt Pike wielded guitar magic, his nimble fingers plucking masterful guitar combinations over nine ringing strings.
But though High on Fire played furiously, Opeth's performance brought the evening to its climax. Singer Mikael Akerfeldt maintained witty stage banter while leading masterful compositions spanning almost all genres of rock music. Combining elements of jazz, folk, death metal, hard rock and gothic, Opeth's set appealed to multiple varieties of music fan in attendance, Hillsdale students included.
"Opeth gets better every time I see them," said Greg Stokes '08. "The spirit of heavy metal definitely feels alive at Hillsdale after this."
The 18-year-old band delivered the two-hour performance during a tour promoting their ninth and latest studio album, "Watershed." Fans witnessed a paradoxical mix of styles ranging from ferocious highs of roaring death metal to disquieting lows of soft acoustic guitars. And though each song varied in emotion, one thing remained consistent: Fans loved every second.
"Opeth plays very sophisticated, intellectual music" said senior Fritz Nuffer, who has attended two other of the band's concerts. "The musicality of their compositions is unparalleled, and they put on an astounding show."
The band launched their performance with their latest single, "Heir Apparent." Dripping with ominous guitars, melancholy piano and violent bursts of death metal, they set the stage for an evening of complex twists and turns.
Opening act High on Fire chose a more straightforward route. The trio primed the crowd with a relentless mix of raw guitar and pulverizing percussion. Front man Matt Pike wielded guitar magic, his nimble fingers plucking masterful guitar combinations over nine ringing strings.
But though High on Fire played furiously, Opeth's performance brought the evening to its climax. Singer Mikael Akerfeldt maintained witty stage banter while leading masterful compositions spanning almost all genres of rock music. Combining elements of jazz, folk, death metal, hard rock and gothic, Opeth's set appealed to multiple varieties of music fan in attendance, Hillsdale students included.
"Opeth gets better every time I see them," said Greg Stokes '08. "The spirit of heavy metal definitely feels alive at Hillsdale after this."
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