Opeth are the Swedish masters who turned progressive death metal into high art — then reinvented themselves as 70s-prog explorers. Here is our fellow fan’s ranking of their finest songs.

The short version

If you only hear a few, make them “Ghost of Perdition”, “Blackwater Park”, “Windowpane” and “The Drapery Falls” — the band-defining epic, the breakthrough title track, the acoustic heartbreaker and a dynamic masterpiece. The full ranking is below.

Death and beauty

Few bands contain multitudes like Opeth. Formed in Stockholm in 1990 and led from the start by the singular Mikael Åkerfeldt, they built their reputation on progressive death metal — vast, multi-part songs that swung from crushing, growled brutality to passages of aching acoustic beauty. Albums like Blackwater Park (2001) and Ghost Reveries (2005) are landmarks of the form. Then, in 2011, Åkerfeldt set the growls aside entirely for a run of lush, 70s-inspired progressive rock — before bringing them roaring back on 2024’s The Last Will and Testament. These fifteen songs span it all.

How we ranked them

This is one fan’s order, weighing songwriting, dynamics, ambition and lasting impact across both of their eras. The facts are accurate; the order is a starting point for the debate.

The essential six

At the top sits “Ghost of Perdition” (2005), which Åkerfeldt himself reckons may be the song that best defines the band — ten minutes of swirling, heavy, melodic genius. Beside it stands “Blackwater Park” (2001), the towering title track of their breakthrough. With them: “The Drapery Falls” (2001), an exquisitely dynamic epic; “Windowpane” (2003), the devastating, all-acoustic heart of Damnation; “Deliverance” (2002), one of their heaviest and most relentless pieces; and “Demon of the Fall” (1998), the early classic that has rarely left their setlist since.

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Reliably great

The next tier is essential too. “The Grand Conjuration” (2005) is seven minutes of dark, hypnotic mysticism; “Bleak” (2001) balances guttural verses with cathartic choruses; “The Moor” (1999) opens Still Life with slow-burning grandeur; “Harvest” (2001) is a gorgeous, life-affirming folk-rock gem; and “The Lotus Eater” (2008) is a thrilling Watershed highlight.

Deeper cuts

For the dedicated, these reward repeat listens. “April Ethereal” (1998) shifts from abrasive death metal to transcendent melody; “The Devil’s Orchard” (2011) announced their bold leap into pure prog rock; “Eternal Rains Will Come” (2014) opens Pale Communion in lush, layered style; and “Sorceress” (2016) is a heavy, groove-driven title track from their later years.

Every song at a glance

All fifteen songs, in chronological order — each linked to the album it comes from, so you can hear it in context.

Where to start

Begin with “Blackwater Park” — their breakthrough and the perfect introduction. From there, “Ghost of Perdition” shows their heavy side at its most ambitious, while “Windowpane” reveals the gentle beauty underneath.

The players

Opeth have always revolved around Mikael Åkerfeldt — singer, guitarist, songwriter and the one true constant, equally commanding as a death-metal growler and a soulful clean vocalist. His longest-serving partner is bassist Martín Méndez, with guitarist Fredrik Åkesson a key presence since 2007. Steven Wilson produced their classic early-2000s albums and remains a kindred spirit. The band continues to evolve, returning to growled vocals on 2024’s The Last Will and Testament.

Why they still matter

Opeth proved that extreme metal could be as ambitious, dynamic and beautiful as any progressive rock — and then proved they could leave the metal behind entirely and still captivate. Their influence runs deep through modern prog and metal alike, and they share both a restless ambition and a producer with Porcupine Tree. Alongside heavyweights like Dream Theater, Tool and Mastodon, they stand among the most important progressive bands of the modern era.

Go deeper

Keep exploring: rank their records with our guide to the best Opeth albums, find an entry point with where to start with Opeth, or dig into the underrated Opeth albums. You can also place them in the bigger picture with the best progressive rock songs of all time.

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