The experience of just listening to this album without a specific focus is amazing, and I recommend that you try it. Put on some headphones, turn out the lights, press play, and just sit there. Allow Mikael Akerfeldt's voice to enter, and the guitars to breach your ears and dig into your mind. Simply put, this is a performance of unmatched skill.

On this album Opeth haven't convinced me they are the greatest band in the world, but there is absolutely no denying their skillful songwriting and instrumental mastery. There is a beautiful balance between the soft and beautiful, and the guttural and brutal. In their song structures and lengthy excursions, one could favorably compare them to Pink Floyd.

The set spans their entire career from Orchid ("Under the Weeping Moon") through Ghost Reveries ("Ghosts of Perdition"). Unlike their last live album, 2006's Lamentations, — which focused primarily on their then latest studio release, Damnation — the band emphasizes their entire career here.

While some fans may disagree with their song choices, I cannot take any such line. For one thing, most of the songs here are new to me. Secondly, if the setlist consisted only of fan favorites, it would become too predictable.

Bottomline: What else can be said? The Roundhouse Tapes is an exquisite live album, capturing near perfect performances. Hearing the rarely played songs here, makes this album a must both for hardcore fans as well as more casual listeners like me. Not only will you experience a searing live performance — you'll also be getting an overview of their entire career. There really is no way to go wrong with this.

Highly Recommended.