The forward-thinking Swedes who seamlessly and fluidly combine metal, classic rock, prog, folk and free-form jazz, continue the time-honoured Opeth tradition on Watershed, their second album for Roadrunner Records. With this, their ninth opus, Opeth continue to shake things up, turn the corner and push the limits of their sound. And the results are breathtaking. Watershed sounds at once, completely like and absolutely nothing like previous Opeth records. Watershed takes all that is Opeth, and goes where Opeth have never gone before.

Watershed picks up where 2005’s flawless Ghost Reveries left off, beginning contemplatively before erupting into full-bore chaos. It’s an album that combines brute, blunt force with whimsical, melodic beauty.

With Watershed, Opeth aren’t afraid to think outside of the box, but the album isn’t too much of a departure for Opeth. The signature Opeth sound –