In Cauda Venenum
by Opeth
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 39
  3. Negative: 1 out of 39
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  1. JLuis_001
    Sep 28, 2019
    8
    Of the last four Opeth albums this one is the one I've enjoyed the most. There are certain songs that don't feel so precise but maybe listening to them more times the whole album will be more cohesive.

    My favorite tracks:

    Garden of Earthly Delights
    Dignity
    Heart in Hand
    Universal Truth
    Continuum
    All Things Will Pass
  2. amirmr
    Oct 1, 2019
    10
    It remind me the great good classic rock albums. the progressive rock that has a lot of different taste from Pink Floyd to Dio.
  3. felipemrtn
    Sep 28, 2019
    8
    It's a great record, not the best, but a good one. The atmosphere remits to, "Dark Side of the Moon" album. The experimental vibe and the strong prog rock. Opeth makes you first experimental record. And that's good. But, "In Cauda Venenum" have a regular songs, not awful, but regular.
    Best songs from the album: "Dignity", "Heart in Hand", "Charlatan", "Universal Truth", "All Things Will    It's a great record, not the best, but a good one. The atmosphere remits to, "Dark Side of the Moon" album. The experimental vibe and the strong prog rock. Opeth makes you first experimental record. And that's good. But, "In Cauda Venenum" have a regular songs, not awful, but regular.
    Best songs from the album: "Dignity", "Heart in Hand", "Charlatan", "Universal Truth", "All Things Will Pass" and "Next of Kin".    … Expand
  4. Zippyz
    Oct 3, 2019
    6
    Out of all of Opeth’s albums since Watershed, this one is definitely the best, but that doesn’t mean it’s great. It certainly has its moments. I wish Mikael’s voice was far less filtered and overly layered at parts. Still no death metal vocals unfortunately, but at least this album actually feels like the growth of Opeth, as opposed to the other albums since Watershed that sounded likeOut of all of Opeth’s albums since Watershed, this one is definitely the best, but that doesn’t mean it’s great. It certainly has its moments. I wish Mikael’s voice was far less filtered and overly layered at parts. Still no death metal vocals unfortunately, but at least this album actually feels like the growth of Opeth, as opposed to the other albums since Watershed that sounded like prog rock imitation. I can respect that. However, it’s really not for me. Maybe it’ll grow on me, but I still long for their death metal prog sound.… Expand
  5. wjw
    Jan 31, 2020
    10
    This album offers a fine blend of song craft and musical performance rarely encountered anywhere in music these days. The musical chops are definitely there, both vocally and instrumentally, but that virtuosity is placed in the service of Mikael Åkerfeldt’s compositional chops and vision, now, better than ever. The songs all refreshingly move at a perfect pace through a considerableThis album offers a fine blend of song craft and musical performance rarely encountered anywhere in music these days. The musical chops are definitely there, both vocally and instrumentally, but that virtuosity is placed in the service of Mikael Åkerfeldt’s compositional chops and vision, now, better than ever. The songs all refreshingly move at a perfect pace through a considerable variety of extraordinarily brilliant and melodic—yet still wonderfully complex and sophisticated—motifs. You can’t hold it against them. It’s catchy. My rating 10/10 is not perfunctory. This album is among my favorites of the 21st century, along with Lamar’s TPAB, Radiohead’s HTTT, D’Angelo’s BM, Sufjan Stevens’s C&L, and The Stroke’s ITI. This album, like the others, gets better upon repeated listening. With all due respect to ABBA and Max Martin, Mikael now is, indeed, Sweden’s answer to California’s Brian Wilson. Like Smile, it’s dark, and like Smile, it still made me smile. It’s really that good.… Expand
  6. jafogrits
    Nov 9, 2019
    9
    I am a fan of the newer albums and direction of the band, and I have to say this is the best album since Watershed. You won't find any vocal growling on this album, but the melodies are great and guitar work is amazing. I even find myself listening to the Swedish version, preferring it actually on many songs. The vocal work is amazing. I find a comfort when listening to this album, asI am a fan of the newer albums and direction of the band, and I have to say this is the best album since Watershed. You won't find any vocal growling on this album, but the melodies are great and guitar work is amazing. I even find myself listening to the Swedish version, preferring it actually on many songs. The vocal work is amazing. I find a comfort when listening to this album, as I have found with many older prog rock favorites.… Expand
  7. movingpictures
    Apr 25, 2020
    10
    Their best album in a decade. It's a wonderful listen from start to finish. And it's also an album that progresses and peaks in the second half of the journey... so the back end of the album is stronger than the beginning. They've still got it!
  8. Geffen
    Dec 5, 2020
    10
    Surprisingly, the best Opeth album in years. For me, In Cauda Venenum holds up along with their finest works. Astonishing!

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Best Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. The Wire
    Nov 20, 2019
    80
    In Cauda Venenum is a peculiarly convincing example of retro rock but that’s not to say the album is anchored to one particular scene or era. ... What’s also helpful is that frontman and bandleader Mikael Åkerfeldt has one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary rock, an impassioned croon whose soulfulness defuses any potential for pomposity. [Dec 2019, p.57]
  2. Exclaim
    Oct 2, 2019
    80
    The writing is catchy and memorable, interesting and complex, giving the ten-track release tremendous depth that offers a brand new listening experience with every listen. It's an album that requires a lot of consideration, but the reward is well worth the attention.
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  3. The Quietus
    Sep 30, 2019
    80
    There is a playful freedom on display from start to finish. By increasing the importance of the bass and keyboards (a move possibly inspired by fellow Swedish prog compatriots Anekdoten) and simultaneously writing with string arrangements in mind, the innate grandeur at the heart of this band’s music has never been as audible as it is now.
    Read full review
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