Is In Cauda Venenum a good place to start with Opeth?

Yes, In Cauda Venenum is recommended as a starting point for new Opeth listeners. A sprawling tapestry of progressive metal woven with atmospheric textures, delicate melodies, and complex rhythms that challenge conventional song structures. In Cauda Venenum is Opeth's thirteenth studio album, released during a phase of artistic maturation following their 2016 release, Sorceress. By this point, the band had fully embraced a blend of progressive rock and metal elements, moving away from their earlier death metal roots while still pushing sonic boundaries.

Who is In Cauda Venenum for?

In Cauda Venenum works well if you're into dynamic progression with resolution, wave-like pacing for deep focus and haunting melodies for introspection.

How many songs are on In Cauda Venenum?

In Cauda Venenum has 19 tracks, running approximately 132 minutes.

In Cauda Venenum

Opeth · 2019

132 min · 19 tracks · death metal

A sprawling tapestry of progressive metal woven with atmospheric textures, delicate melodies, and complex rhythms that challenge conventional song structures.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Svekets prins Start here — This track showcases Opeth's signature blend of heavy riffs and melodic passages, illustrating the band's ability to balance aggression with beauty. Its intricate arrangements highlight their evolution toward a more progressive sound.
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Hjärtat vet vad handen gör — The song features a captivating interplay between soft acoustic sections and powerful electric crescendos, embodying the album's thematic exploration of duality and emotional complexity.
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Charlatan — As one of the standout tracks, it encapsulates the album's rich narrative tapestry while showcasing virtuosic musicianship through elaborate time signature changes and dynamic shifts.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album showcases complex structures and varied dynamics, rewarding multiple listens while maintaining a cohesive yet sprawling feel.

What we noticed

Several tracks exceed the six-minute mark, allowing for extended instrumental sections and complex arrangements that shift dynamics throughout.
The final three tracks create a gradual descent in tempo and intensity, culminating in a reflective conclusion that contrasts with the earlier heaviness.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic progression with resolution
wave-like pacing for deep focus
haunting melodies for introspection
immersive experience through two halves
rich lyrical depth exploration

Maybe skip if you

prefer quick, standalone tracks
seek constant high-energy tempo

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — The album showcases Opeth's artistic maturity and ambition in sound.
Themes: emotional duality· Swedish folklore· intricate narratives
Career context: In Cauda Venenum is Opeth's thirteenth studio album, released during a phase of artistic maturation following their 2016 release, Sorceress. By this point, the band had fully embraced a blend of progressive rock and metal elements, moving away from their earlier death metal roots while still pushing sonic boundaries.
Stylistic neighbors: Porcupine Tree· Gojira· Between the Buried and Me