43. White Stones - 'Kuarahy'

This album is very reminiscent of Opeth back when they were a Death Metal band. It easily could be the album that they should have made after “Watershed”. All of this is completely understandable as White Stones is the Death Metal side project of Opeth's long standing bassist Martín Méndez. He hasn’t tossed the apple far from the tree, as this is to all extent and purposes Opeth, if they hadn't decided to go all prog after the aforementioned “Watershed”. It is heavy but massively melodic, full of chugging riffs and soaring choruses. Not sure whether this is a case of Martin showing us how Opeth would sound if it was he and not Mikael in charge or if this is simply him getting his desire to play Death Metal out of his system. But what I do know is that I bloody loved it. It’s a great album, mature melodic Death Metal at its best.