Deliverance - "By The Pain I See In Others" by Opeth

Figure 1. Album Cover of Deliverance by Opeth

Compressed sound is followed by guitar feedback, before the compression is relieved; the buildup leads into a fierce but steady metal introduction. The intermittent growling vocals are carried by the fluid and dynamic music that switches pattern frequently. Opeth progresses into a semi-acoustic section that bridges more vitriolic sections. The vocals transition in volume to fit the music but remain fiery, allowing the song to never falter in momentum. "By The Pain I See In Others" defies metal tradition by never hammering the same riff endlessly or devolving into a piece devoted to sheer technical skill. Its fluidity captures and reflects human emotion, diverting it from mere sound; here Opeth resonates with a negative feeling that encompasses them all, not simply rage. Though the style is mainly death metal, it cannot be firmly placed into that domain. In some ways, the piece falls under the reign of the black king. Unmistakable jazz influences complicate matters.An especially unique part of the song features a semi-acoustic song supported by electric piano, which creates a slightly uneven and therefore creepy atmosphere; this approach harkens back to progressive rock. Opeth then returns to a refrain of sorts maintaining a partial song structure. Clearly the architecture is loose enough to defy expectation while making compelling music. Acoustic guitar expands the sonic palette beyond an aural attack. After pounding the listener for ten minutes, Opeth resorts to eerie yet clean synthesizers in lieu of a continued metal assault. Suddenly a high-pitched but reverbed sound appears, leading into echoey singing in a chant-like manner. The last segment is quite disjointed, contributing to an eerie atmosphere. "By The Pain I See In Others" is well worth its 14 minutes.