2LP on black vinyl incl. a poster and an insert.

“Heritage,” Opeth’s tenth studio release, marked a daring departure from their earlier death metal sound, embracing a rich tapestry of progressive rock influences. Released in 2011, this album stands out as a vibrant exploration of 70s prog rock, folk, jazz, and hard rock elements, diverging significantly from the band’s previous heavy metal roots. Produced by Mikael Åkerfeldt and mixed by Steven Wilson, known for his work with Porcupine Tree, “Heritage” features an intricate sound characterized by clean vocals, a departure from Åkerfeldt’s signature death growls.

Critically, “Heritage” has been met with both admiration and controversy. Fans and critics alike noted the album’s bold experimental streak, which, while alienating some of Opeth’s long-time metal followers, also earned praise for its artistic bravery and meticulous production quality. The shift towards a fully progressive rock approach, devoid of any metal growls, was seen as a transformative step for Åkerfeldt, steering Opeth towards new creative horizons in the following years.