Prog metal stalwarts Opeth break out new single Cusp of Eternity

Opeth was one of my favorite bands in high school. Blackwater Park and Deliverance made them one of the first metal bands I became a big fan of. Their latest album, 2011's Heritage wasn't bad, but in order to get the most out of it you pretty much had to have at least the same amount of enthusiasm the band had for progressive/folk rock of the 1970s. Not much of their fanbase did, and the album struck a dull note for many. The good news is that "Cusp of Eternity," the lead single from their forthcoming 11th album Pale Communion sounds like a step in the right direction. Carried by gothic tinged vocals from Mikael Akerfeldt, the song delivers a good metal crunch while also being equal parts airy and atmospheric. My hopes for this album are piqued exponentially.