On its release in 2003, Damnation was a hugely important release for Opeth. While the Swedish outfit were already renowned for threading deep progressive elements through their death metal foundation, that hulking metallic presence was a defining and ever-present feature. On Damnation and preceding sister-piece Deliverance, they separated their dualistic tendencies.
Originally envisaged as a double album and recorded across the same tortuous session, Deliverance drew the aggression while Damnation explored a softer, richer side of the band’s musical personality. That side might now be wholly familiar to Opeth fans – but back in 2003 it was revelatory.
