In Cauda Venenum

Opeth - In Cauda Venenum
Critic Score
Based on 15 reviews
2019 Ratings: #24 / 805
User Score
Based on 314 ratings
2019 Rank: #454
Liked by 31 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
MetalSucks

Opeth are making some of the best music of their career right now, and without giving a damn about popularity or what anyone else thinks. In Cauda Venenum may very well be their best prog rock effort to date.

90
AllMusic

It may be the fourth entry in their progressive evolution, but it's their first to deliver the full realization of the band's potential.

85
Metal Injection

Clear, strong songwriting and a renewed vision are carried on the energetic gales of Opeth's sheer level of talent.

80
NME

It's not metal in the traditional sense, but the Swedish group's 13th album proves that heaviness is a state of mind, not a setting on your amplifier.

80
Exclaim!

The writing is catchy and memorable, interesting and complex, giving the ten-track release tremendous depth that offers a brand new listening experience with every listen.

60
Kerrang!

It’s a good album, though not an Opeth classic.

JustSomeGuy
65

2019 has been a very weird year for metal. Despite so many big names releasing albums this year, there's only been a handful of bands to actually release anything worthwhile. With Tool and Slipknot's albums seemingly being hit-or-miss among fans, some claiming the albums to be their best and others claiming it to be their worst, Korn releasing an album that has been highly successful with fans and critics alike even if I myself don't actually like it, Killswitch Engage coming back from ... read more

thebrisklad
40

Despite all of its progressive posturing and complex instrumentation, this record cannot help but be completely boring. Opeth, while not being "my thing", has a definite knack for technical skill and bombastic passages; however, brevity nor subtlety are their strong suits, leading to overblown and uninspired symphonic metal that overstays its welcome on every song. This doesn't feel "progressive" in the slightest, just another example of the degeneration of the word.

Opeth ... read more

Plats
68

"In Cauda Venenum" definitely ain't bad, especially compared to some releases from other (former) metal bands this year. The production and instrumentation is fantastic and "All Things Will Pass" is one hell of a closer. But Mikael's bland vocal performances and meandering track lengths keep it from reaching the amount of praise their earlier records received.

Fav Tracks: Heart in Hand, Charlatan, Dignity, All Things Will Pass, Universal Truth

Least Fav Track: ... read more

77

Good, nothing too special but the Swedish version is really easy to vibe to in my opinion. Maybe because I'm Swedish.

Oliwilliam
85

It's undeniable that the album has a great production. It has a meaningul story in it too. As a fan, I enjoyed a lot, but we can't forget it has some negative points. I guess the overused silence/slow rhythm on the tracks affects directly to the listening experience. Sometimes it's too quiet...That's what bothers me most. Overall, the album is definetely good.

_smee_
80

Banger

Although it took me quite a few re-listens to really appreciate this album, I'm really glad I took the time to sit through an hour and seven minutes of album. I take back everything I've said about Pale Communion. THIS is the best prog rock album they've produced. The awkwardness and quirky nature of their previous prog rock records have been perfected in this one. The album paces really well, although it's a bit on the slow side. The production is great as well, although it could have ... read more

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Added on: July 15, 2019