Seeing Steven Wilson mixing the last Opeth records I guess it was somewhat of a „must-happen“-thing that Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) and Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth) would collaborate beyond that. That such project would differ musically from what they do in their regular bands was clear too. Though, Storm Corrosion does not sound so unexpectedly different. Much more it seems to be like a mélange of most recent records of both protagonists, still more parallel to each other than with each other and merging.
Of course, expectations of such collaboration with such outstanding musicians were high and probably not easily to satisfy. No matter if for the musicians itself or for the fans and music gourmets too. As for me I think Storm Corrosion is well-done!
Storm Corrosion is a quiet album, striking loud notes only now and then. It is unexcited, owns an unobtrusive psychedelic touch and is downright melancholic. Storm Corrosion does it without brimming sound experiments and top-heavy tricky fretboard acrobatics. But Storm Corrosion does it not without finesse, technical brilliance and surprising twists and turns. Songs develop a quite cinematic note with a… spooky and creepy atmosphere, that kind of bizarre you would find in a David Lynch film. I feel reminded of 60s/70s films with a slight Horror twist in it. Generally I think Storm Corrosion owns an irresistible art noir style.
Musically associations to Ulver (from Perdition City on) and to Pink Floyd come up, best heard in the title track Storm Corrosion. Opening track Drag Ropes could have appeared on one of the latest Opeth albums and Ljudet Innan reminds me of the intro to Dire Straits Money For Nothing.
Yes, I really like Storm Corrosion, I especially favor Lock Howl and Ljudet Innan, and I hope that it was not a nonrecurring collaboration as I think that both masterminds have not even rudimentary fathomed their melted creativity.