What a year for progheads. Still heavily impressed by the triumphant return of Tool, last week I found myself keeling down in front of my stereo with a new milestone in modern heavy music. The jawdropping new record by the swedish five-piece Opeth was spinning. As a late fan of the band ("Pale Communion" in 2014 was the first Opeth album I listened to), I don't have to think about missing Death Metal growls - I can fully appreciate the music in all its facets. And what can I say? Opeth have outdone themselves with an ambitious album full of songs that are complex and hauntingly beautiful. There are to versions of the record which is the 13th studio album by Opeth. On the one, singer and guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt uses his native language and the other one is in English. As a huge Kvelertak fan (who sing in Norwegian only), I could have done without the translated version, but it's still nice for fans all around the world. The ominous intro "Livet's Trädgård" ("Garden of Earthly Delights") reminds me of Stranger Things with its synth sprinkles and paves the way for the epic opener "Svekets Prins" ("Dignity"). Once again, the compositional and technical skill of the musicians sweeps you of your feet. There's just so much going on, so many details to discover that you can listen to Opeth over and over again without getting bored. If you didn't think it was possible to even be more refined than on said "Pale Communion" and "Sorceress" (2016, wow, 3 years went by in the blink of an eye), think again. From Heavy Metal-infused songs like "Hjärtat Vet Vad Handen Gör" ("Heart In Hand") to pieces abundant with strings like "De Närmast Sörjande" ("Next Of Kin") and the epic "Minnets Yta" ("Lovelorn Crime") which reminds me of breathing soundscapes in the key of Steven Wilson, the 67 minutes are intense and stunning. "In Cauda Venenum" is a thrilling testimony of the refined musical mastery of Opeth."In Cauda Venenum" was released on Friday, September 27th via Nuclear Blast Records.