Orchid  by Opeth

Orchid is the debut album of the Swedish band Opeth, released on May 15, 1995, by Candlelight Records and is considered one of the most influential records of progressive death metal. The recording of the album took place in March 1994 at Unisound Studios in Finspång, Sweden. The production was co-signed by the band and the legendary Dan Swanö. The studio was located in the cellar of a small house in the middle of a field, a fact that contributed to the unique atmosphere of the album.

It is a blend of progressive death metal with strong elements of black metal and folk passages. Mikael Åkerfeldt has described the sound as a combination of Wishbone Ash, Black Sabbath, and Bathory. The album is characterized by long compositions (often over 10 minutes), with transitions between brutal and clean vocals, acoustic guitars, and piano.

Orchid did not achieve immediate commercial success, as its release was delayed due to distribution problems of their then newly established label. However, over time, it gained cult status and helped Opeth stand out in the metal scene.