Martin Mendez of Opeth

nick g. · #1 03-27-2007, 07:25 PM

This man is good. I really like the stuff I've heard of his. So far, that's only Blackwater Park and Ghost Reveries. He's kinda like a modern Cliff, IMO.

Discuss.

idoru · #2 03-27-2007, 07:38 PM

Hmm... I'd say he's like Cliff only in that he has amazing fingerstyle speed. He uses very few effects, and doesn't take much in the way of leads. Now, the guy who played on Morningrise had some very prominent basslines and used more effects - he's more Burton-esque, IMO.

Unlike early Metallica, Opeth is comprised of a whole bunch of guys who know their musical theory and have excellent skills on their particular instrument. It's harder to stand out from the crowd

invisiman · #3 03-27-2007, 07:41 PM

Mendez is good, but if you get a chance to listen to Opeth before they picked him up, I think you'll find that he pales in comparison to Johan Defarfalla (sp?).

idoru · #4 03-27-2007, 07:44 PM

He had that really burpy bridge J pickup tone, pushing a lot of 600 hz mids. I can nail that sucker's tone with my J and LM-300, but I'm a ways off his chops

purduebass · #5 03-27-2007, 11:06 PM

His playing is meaningless in comparison to his monster technique:
The No-No bang \m/

\m/

If you don't know what I'm talking about, go see them live or buy the Live at Shepards Empire dvd.

In all seriousness though, the man owns and is very creative at utilizing the open melodic space underneath Akerfeld's guitar and vocal harmonies.

Captain Chaos · #6 03-28-2007, 12:16 AM

I don't think he is anything like Cliff, he has his own unique style.

Mr.Typhus · #7 03-28-2007, 01:18 AM

What about "Damnation" album?
I really like VERY much his playing and tone on that one

tink9975 · #8 03-28-2007, 08:58 AM

I did like DeFarfalla, but he was a hired gun, a jazz fusion bassist slumming with a local metal band. I do like his lines on morning rise quite a lot though. He actually poked up on Opeth's Forum on Ultimate Metal Forums and answered some fan questions. He's a politician now and still plays, but doesnt seem to record. He hasnt paid any attention to Opeth since he left the band.

Mendez fits the bands current direction much better. It will be very interesting to see what the next album sounds like with Axenrot on drums. I love his tone on recording and live, has made me want to pick up a MM sig Fender.

God of Rapture · #9 03-28-2007, 09:24 AM

Awesome player and very cool dude. I've had the pleasure of meeting him a few times.

Atomik Rooster · #10 03-28-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by God of Rapture

Awesome player and very cool dude. I've had the pleasure of meeting him a few times.

I'm envious. I saw them in Orlando last year and was stunned by their flawless performance. I was sorry to hear about Martin Lopez leaving the band. He and Mendez were an awesome rhythm section. I'm sure the next album will be as phenomenal as the last, but I've really enjoyed this particular lineup.

Twistad · #11 03-28-2007, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idoru

Hmm... I'd say he's like Cliff only in that he has amazing fingerstyle speed. He uses very few effects, and doesn't take much in the way of leads. Now, the guy who played on Morningrise had some very prominent basslines and used more effects - he's more Burton-esque, IMO.

Unlike early Metallica, Opeth is comprised of a whole bunch of guys who know their musical theory and have excellent skills on their particular instrument. It's harder to stand out from the crowd

Actually, Akerfeldt and co. have basically no knowledge of theory. Michael is self-taught, but it is true that they have phenomenal skills, especially the rythmn section.

I have seen Opeth three times, and Martin was always great live, i kind of wish his tone was more present in the albums though.

Baryonyx · #12 03-28-2007, 03:52 PM

Martin is alright, but Johann really was amazing. His work on Morningrise is some of the best metal has to offer!

Phantopeth · #13 03-30-2007, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twistad

Actually, Akerfeldt and co. have basically no knowledge of theory. Michael is self-taught, but it is true that they have phenomenal skills, especially the rythmn section.

So did Michael say that he and his collegues are theory-ignorant in an interview, or are you just deducting that because he is self-taught? Also, are you implying that you can't have a decent knowledge of theory if you are self-taught?

On another note, it's too bad Martin Lopez, their now-former drummer, has left the band. I thought his sense of style and dynamics on the kit where phenomenal.

velvetkevorkian · #14 03-30-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purduebass

His playing is meaningless in comparison to his monster technique:
The No-No bang \m/

\m/

If you don't know what I'm talking about, go see them live or buy the Live at Shepards Empire dvd.

In all seriousness though, the man owns and is very creative at utilizing the open melodic space underneath Akerfeld's guitar and vocal harmonies.

I know what you mean!

One of my favourite players- he reminds me more of a metal Jaco than a modern Cliff, although I've never been a big Burton fan.

f'nar f'nar · #15 03-30-2007, 09:53 PM

Opeth are my favourite band and holy cow does Martin blow me away. His stuff on deliverance was unbelievable! I personally enjoy the 'A fair Judgement' bassline, its so simple and in the pocket, it doesnt go over board (god knows theres room for it in that song), he just sits and grooves plays for the song! But at the same time look at songs like Baying of the Hounds, where if you listen carefully, you can hear him throw some increadible fills every now and then to really spice things up. And the outro of Beneath The Mire... so creepy!

I also think his work on Damnation was increadible! AND blackwater park! Holy cow, A funeral Portrait rocks my jocks! Haha.

So, in short, I love this bloke!

Thats not to say DeFarfalla didn't also blow me away with some increadible lines on morningrise! Nectar, Advent and Black Rose Immortal all blow my mind!

reverb508 · #16 01-27-2008, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantopeth

So did Michael say that he and his collegues are theory-ignorant in an interview, or are you just deducting that because he is self-taught? Also, are you implying that you can't have a decent knowledge of theory if you are self-taught?

On another note, it's too bad Martin Lopez, their now-former drummer, has left the band. I thought his sense of style and dynamics on the kit where phenomenal.

I saw a video interview where Mikael, Peter and Martin were demonstrating how to play The Drapery Falls. Mikael described one of the chords as the "drama" chord. When asked what the chord was, he admitted that he didn't know any theory.

That said, I think they've proven that you don't need theory to create intelligent and provocative music. Their music more closely resembles a orchestral score than metal.

Valerus · #17 01-27-2008, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reverb508

I saw a video interview where Mikael, Peter and Martin were demonstrating how to play The Drapery Falls. Mikael described one of the chords as the "drama" chord. When asked what the chord was, he admitted that he didn't know any theory.

That said, I think they've proven that you don't need theory to create intelligent and provocative music. Their music more closely resembles a orchestral score than metal.

True that.