Good evening! The Meista here with another great pairing for you tonight! I'm pairing Swedish progressive metal band, Opeth's 2003 album, "Damnation" with a Damnation Golden Ale from Russian River Brewing Company out of Santa Rosa, CA!
Produced by Steve Wilson of Porcupine Tree fame and dedicated to singer, songwriter, guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt's grandmother, who died in a car accident during the recording of the album., "Damnation" is the 7th studio by Opeth and quiet a departure from their previous death metal work. With the prominent use of mellotron, clean vocals, slower and softer melodies, and acoustic guitars, "Damnation" has a very 1970s progressive rock feel. Beautifully written, richly textured, and wonderfully delivered, "Damnation" is quite brilliant! Åkerfeldt's haunting and emotional lyrics and vocals are mesmerizing and demand attention. Åkerfeldt's and Peter Lindgren's guitar work is wonderfully delivered, soft, powerful, driving. Martin Mendez's bass work is heavy and methodical. Martin Lopez's drum work swings. And Steven Wilson's keyboards, piano, mellotron, backing vocals, mixing, mastering, producer and engineering is perfectly matched to the band's sound and intention. Songs like opening track, "Windowpane," "In My Time Of Need," "Death Whispered A Lullaby," "Hope Leaves," "To Rid The Disease," "Ending Credits," and "Weakness" are at times devastatingly melancholy, at times , and always amazing! This album is sheer perfection!
The Damnation Golden Ale from Russian River Brewing Company is complex and sinfully flavorful Belgian-style ale. It pours a cloudy, honey-yellow gold in a frosty glass. The head is frothy and bright white, dissipating quickly, but leaving good lacing. The nose is a spicy and floral bouquet of fruit ester. Light-bodied and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel is crisp, bubbly, and dry. The flavor is filled with notes of white grape/wine, lemony citrus, woodsy cedar, light malts, earthy hops, white pepper, Belgian yeast, and soft spices. There's a slight hint of pink bubble gum as well, which is characteristic of many lighter Belgian beers. The finish is rather dry and lingering. An incredibly refreshing ale, it also has a bit of bite (7.75% ABV), but with little or no booziness. The complexity, multi-layered flavors, the bite, and the depth of this ale really pairs wonderfully with the very similar characteristics of Opeth's "Damnation"! This is definitely a pairing I will have to revisit!
Check out Russian River Brewing Company at http://russianriverbrewing.com/! And you must pick up a copy of Opeth's "Damnation"... I think you'll love it!!
Cheers!!
No comments:
Post a Comment