It can often be difficult to describe why something moves you emotionally: how can you explain why a song makes you dance and sing, or sit and weep? The greatest compliment Damnation deserves is that it is not defined by any such attempted explanations but defies them. Jay Kirby explores Damnation's legacy 20 years on.
The album’s opening acoustic intro perfectly sets expectations for what the listener is in for, sonically speaking; Opeth have put aside their distortion pedals and death growls, instead relying on gentle synth-pads and delicate strings to deliver their message. Prog-rock legend Steven Wilson (best known for his work as part of Porcupine Tree), perfectly layers soothing mellotron and piano, ambient acoustic guitar, and Åkerfeldt’s willowy vocals to create a soundscape reminiscent of Pink Floyd and Genesis while remaining timeless, even to this day. With influences ranging from folk music to smooth jazz and beyond, the band instantly create an eerily captivating and inviting atmosphere that only deepens and grows as the LP progresses. From the harmonised melodies of In My Time of Need to the haunting dissonances of Closure and on to the echoing keys of To Rid the Disease, Opeth invite the audience to sit back, close their eyes and experience something truly special.
"Mikael and the team tug at the heartstrings of even the most casual of listeners as the themes of depression, nihilism, introspection, and regret are as powerful today as they must have been two decades ago."
You may, however, need to open those eyes at points to reach for the tissues. The intimate nature of the music here only serves to aid the deep feelings of melancholy that pervade every second of this album. Though many of the lyrics are cryptic and ambiguous, Mikael and the team tug at the heartstrings of even the most casual of listeners as the themes of depression, nihilism, introspection, and regret are as powerful today as they must have been two decades ago. Lines such as “summer is miles and miles away and no one would ask me to stay,” might be at risk of coming across as overblown or even manipulative from someone else, but every moment feels so earnest and honest that the thought never even comes to mind. Hope Leaves, in which our narrator reflects on his own isolation and loneliness after losing loved ones, may be the emotional climax for many listeners but even the instrumental Ending Credits has a way of speaking to you that few musicians could hope to accomplish.
Thankfully, these musicians are at the top of their game. The drums are suitably muted on this record with Martin Lopez simplifying his usually ferocious playing style to suit the ambiance; together with Méndez’ expertly constructed bass lines, the rhythm section of the band performs more than adequately while still leaving room for the brighter elements (even going so far as to be absent in places, to great effect). Mikael Åkerfeldt’s soft vocals have never been smoother and are only heightened further with Steven Wilson’s harmonies overtop. The most recognisable element of the musicianship here, however, is the use of a mellotron a-la King Crimson, with In My Time of Need’s sliding solo being a personal highlight.
If one had to look for flaws in the album— really, they would have to squint— the final track, appropriately named Weakness, is probably the least dynamic of the bunch. Although it successfully sustains the album’s haunting atmosphere, it feels like an unnecessary addition to an otherwise airtight release: after all, you would assume that the song called Ending Credits, which calls back to the opener Windowpane in its melody, would be a fitting conclusion to this experience. This does, however, settle in as an extremely minor blemish in an otherwise masterful composition.
In a world that seems to go so fast, Opeth’s Damnation gives the listener an opportunity to slow down and simply be with the darker side of ourselves; it’s an album best enjoyed in its entirety, with an open mind and a heavy heart. Every element continues to flourish 20 years after its initial release, and there is no doubt in my mind that the same will ring true for decades to come. Just be sure to wear waterproof makeup.
Jay Kirby
Edited by Roxann Yus
Cover and in-article images courtesy of Opeth via Facebook.
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