Described by Allmusic.com as "unquestionably the album that brought the band to full maturity, and thus an ideal introduction to their remarkable body of work", Opeth's fifth album is widely regarded as not only the Swedish band's finest album, but also as one of the greatest metal albums and one of the best progressive rock albums ever made. Released in March 2001, it was the first in a series of collaborations with co-producer Steven Wilson, and something of a commercial breakthrough for the band as well as a critical success. This vinyl pressing is based on the definitive 20th Anniversary Edition, which was issued in seven different vinyl colors, but not in “classic” black.