Composer/Musician Reacts to Opeth - Burden (REACTION!!!)

Bryan reacts to and talks about his thoughts on Opeth - Burden

[evd]

Mikael Akerfeldt on the outro:
It was just one of those heat of the moment ideas. We didn't really know how to end the song and I just sort of came up with the idea that we should destroy it. I was playing and Frederick was detuning the guitar as I was playing. It sounds very ugly but that was the purpose. It's a kind of good ugly.

[Kataxu]

Opeth has a large discography, everything they have done is worth your examination. Every single song.

[ProtestTheHero]

Opeth loves their ballads. But Damnation and everything from Heritage on is all clean. The rest of their stuff is Progressive Death Metal with softer songs sprinkled in. Face of Melinda is probably my favorite ballad by them.

[PhoenixDecim]

I still cry everytime I listen to this song.

[Gsmoovie]

I love that you're one of the only channels that actually freaking reacts instead of just faking exuberance

[lionellyndem]

I love the Watershed album. So much mood and flow in the songs...

[SirKoltran]

I've heard hundred times this Track and I never realized this kind of compositional relationship between the name and the structure. This point of view was really fresh for me. Thanks a lot. Opeth is my favorites bands of all time.

[maxmaidment]

I really loved your interpretation of this song. I relate a lot, as someone who feels corrupted by chronic illness. I wish I was creative enough to come up with something like this song. Maybe one day i'll figure it out.

[sanbilge]

What a composer/musician... "I thought it was the guitar but it was the keyboard!!!"

[laurensflierman]

Thanks for the great reaction! I wanted to show you an other side of Opeth! Looking forward to another Patreon pick in the future :) cheers, Laurens

[jonathanhenderson]

Opeth are one of my all-time top 10 bands. They were my introduction to "extreme metal, " and they basically opened up a whole new world of music for me. This was from the album where they were just starting to transition to a neo-classic prog band. From their next album onward they ditched growls and also ditched most of their modern metal elements for a more retro sound, and you can hear the beginnings of that here. I do prefer their earlier, progressive death metal stuff, but their newer stuff has definitely grown on me, and I loved the last album. Anyway, this is a beautiful track and I'm glad you appreciated it. Great interpretation of it too. Opeth have so much material worth hearing. The Moor might be my favorite track from them. It takes a while to get going (it has two different long intros!), but it's awesome when it does.

[anumili]

Some Opeth recommendations

Ghost of Perdition - This is the obvioy recommendation and one of their most popular songs. Have weird transitions but displays both sides of Opeth and their vocalist.
In My Time of Need - Beautiful song. Beautiful vocals and guitar. One of their simpler songs.
The Drapery Falls - Probably the most atmospheric song I have ever heard. Hauntingly beautiful and still gives me chills.

[davidrasberry]

@Critical Reactions it is interesting that you pointed out Martin "Axe" Axenrot's drumming on this track. Burden is one of my favorite songs to play on the drums. I couldn't quite place what it is about Martin's drum tone that fits the song perfectly. His drums in a sort of way could serve as the rhythmic tension that ornately compliments the piece. I always find it impressive that drummers like Martin are able to fit their drums into the mix without them overpowering the mix. That is the signature of an artistic drummer. Martin is truly one of the band and if they removed Martin they wouldn't sound the same. His drumming is insane on Porcelain Heart from this album called "Porcelain Heart". I think it is sad that Martin hasn't gotten more respect from the drumming community. I know that Martin has big shoes to fill considering that Martin Lopez was on the drums before he joined Opeth. Martin Axenrot is amazing and I think that it is funny that there have been 3 Martins in the band. There was Martin Lopez. They have Martin Axenrot and they also have Martin Mendez on the bass. It is fascinating how a band like Opeth will stand as giants for future musicians. I love your analysis on their music. This has made me realize that I should pay closer attention to all music. Keep up the hard work and I know you will go really far.

[fernandohenriqueribeiro]

Yeah, you reacted to "both sides" of Opeth. From Heritage onwards they dropped the death metal altogether, but before that (this album included) they would mix Burden stuff with death metal stuff (which you reacted to before).
From their prog rock catalogue i would recommend Lovelorn Crime or River. But it would also be nice for you to see how they can make those 2 "sides" work together. In this case, i got Drapery Falls, Harlequin Forest or Deliverance

[Danny_Inflames]

Opeth “In my time of need”, “ Hope Leaves” “ Harlequin Forest ~ live Royal Albert Hall”, “Bleak” are amazings Operh’s Songs, Greetings From Chile dude!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🤟🏻

[Feel]

I would also suggest Eternal Rains Will Come. Opeth went full prog in that album (Pale Comunion), and the song is a good summary of it.

[acc]

One of the best songs I have ever listened to. Simply beautiful

[abhishekchaubey]

Loved your interpretation and i also had similar feelings when i first heard this song. but you know, Opeth's music and lyrics are so abstract that it can literally have tens of different meanings based on the listener's perspective. that how beautiful they are. whats more interesting is after all these emotional interpretation by fans/listeners, when you actually hear him (Mikael) telling about how did he come up with such an idea for a specific part, you would actually laugh. Such a mystical genius he is. one of the greatest musicians of all time with sheer amount of raw humor and a mammoth stage presence. love this band more than myself.

[etiennetremblay]

You should listen to The Lotus Eater-Opeth. It is one of my favorite and it has a cool pattern :)

[riddhimanmedhi]

Wow you really dissected the song and it’s emotion better than I could have ever imagined. This is one of Opeth’s newer more emotionally loaded and complex songs and it’s hard putting it into words, but man You did a fantastic job. I adore this song but I never could describe what made it so special while being so simplistic on first glance. Thanks, please do more Opeth. Songs similar in emotional complexity would be Garroter, Dignity, Heart in Hand, Next of Kin, Eternal Rains will Come, Moon Above Sun Below, River, Atonement.