"Opeth blend genres of death metal and folk with tremendous musicianship and song writing ability, no bad albums by this band, but this one is essential"
"As close to a perfect thrash/early death metal album as you will ever hear. Unfortunately, the band's singer/lead guitarist Chuck Schuldiner passed away in 2001."
"Far and away this bands best album, in about every single aspect. A few dud songs don't detract too much from what is, at the end of the day, an excellent and well performed metal album."
"In my opinion, one of the best metal albums of 2003 (this edition was released in 2004). A band that has come leaps and bounds from their early days, and will hopefully continue to improve."