| Amorphis
formed in Helsinki, Finland in 1990. Their first demo was released in
1990, and in 1992 the band released the album The Karelian Isthmus
on Relapse Records. Amorphis created melodic and epic death metal
exploring ancient Finnish folklore and history. After an EP in 1993,
Privilege Of Evil, the band’s second album was released in the form of
1994's Tales From The Thousand Lakes. This album saw the band
experiment with clean vocals and keyboards, as well as incorporating
Finnish folk music influences into a style of metal that, while retaining
the deep growls of Tomi Koivusaari, evolved away from standard death metal
towards a more atmospheric and melodic sound. This was followed by an EP,
Black Winter Day. Elegy, the band’s third album, was
released in 1996, featuring new vocalist Pasi Koskinen, a new keyboardist
and drummer. A balance between clean singing and death growls was
established, and the band’s sound became influenced by progressive rock
bands such as Hawkwind and Deep Purple. An EP, My Kantele, was
released in 1997. After a break following the band’s most extensive live
action yet, the fourth album, Tuonela, was released in 1999. This
is the first album to not feature Koivusaari’s growls, as Koskinen became
the band’s sole vocalist. On this album and on the fifth full-length work,
2001's Am Universam, Amorphis’ sound moved further away from the
band’s origins, now exploring a highly melodic, more accessible style of
atmospheric metal/rock. Far From The Sun came out in 2003,
continuing this more streamlined style. This was the first album from the
band released on new label Virgin/EMI. It was also the final album to
feature Koskinen. New Vocalist Tomi Joutsen is featured on the band’s two
most recent albums, 2006's Eclipse and 2007's Silent Waters,
both of which have seen the band attempt to bring back elements from
earlier works.
Amorphis Amorphis' death metal is
unique in that it doesn't depend on stylistic or emotional extremes to
affirm its expression. Rather, this is a subtle approach to
standardizations of death metal, while using a strong sense of melodic
enhancement and atmosphere to tell a story which necessarily involves
overcoming fear of death through courage, determination, honor, and love.
Though it is a product of 1992, the music feels strangely as if it echoes
from an ancient time. It is foggy and distant, wise and unassuming, yet
haunting in its darkness and merciless in its cold objectivity. Running Time: 39:49 Line-Up Tomi Koivusaari - vocals,
guitar
Atmospheric and melodic doom/death with Finnish folk music influences. Brilliant development of melodic themes drive the songs, rich with early-morning seashore ambience. Powerful and memorable riffs, with excellent lead guitars providing captivating emotional climax. Main vocals are growled in the death metal tradition, yet clean vocals are provided by a session member to add a new dimension of expression. Heavy use of moog and synth. High harmonic appeal and conceptual depth. Lyrics based on ancient Finnish poetry and folklore. This is the band's best work
because it succeeds completely in establishing aesthetic unification. Every
aspect of the band's presentation falls perfectly into harmony here. The music
is highly inspired and inspiring, purposeful and terrifically enveloping. The
riffs, melodies, and guitar solos are brilliantly atmospheric, and the
compositional skill is intelligent and poetic. The music is bright even in its
darkness. It shines. It is clear like the bluest morning skies. It flows like a
cool autumn breeze and its scope is as vast as the ocean. Very few metal bands
are capable of something like this. It almost rejects any concentration on its
means because its end is so tremendous and embracing that the heart never wants
to let go. Running Time: 40:18 Line-Up Tomi Koivusaari - Vocals, Rhythm
Guitars Ville Tuomi - Session clean vocals and speech Production: Recorded and mixed at Studio Sunlight, September 1993. Produced and engineered by Tomas Skogsberg & Amorphis. Mastered by Dave Shirk.
This is the sound of a band at
the peak of their creative inspiration. The music sounds like it was exciting to
create, and that quality translates to the experience of it as a listener. While
a few frivolities sneak in here and there, the album as a whole is vibrant and
full of the spark of creation. It is always a thrill to hear a band who sound as
if they are thoroughly enjoying their craft. The joy of creation would never
sound this bright again for Amorphis. Running Time: 56:35 Line-Up Tomi Koivusaari - Vocals, Rhythm
& Acoustic Guitars, Tambourine Production: Recorded at Sunlight Studio, Stockholm, Sweden (Engineer: Tomas Skogsberg), MD Studio, Helsinki, Finland (Engineer: Kaj Hiilesmaa), Finnvox Studios, Helskini, Finland (Engineer: Mikko Karmila). Mixed at Parr Street Studios, Liverpool, England. Engineer: Pete "Pee Wee" Coleman. Mastered by Dave Shirk. Produced by Amorphis.
Amorphis This is an initially
disappointing listen as a follow-up to Elegy and My Kantele, which
were exciting and adventurous works from a band who sounded vibrant and
inspired. In comparison, Tuonela sounds restrained and safe. In the end,
if the listener has the patience to get beyond the initial letdown, the band's
exceptional melodic skill works some magic through these compact and teasingly
almost-journeys as songs. Running Time: 46:48 Line-Up Pasi Koskinen - Vocals Santeri Kallio - Keyboards Production: Recorded and mixed at Finnvox Studios, Helsinki between October & November 1998. Produced by Simon Efemey. Engineered by Russ Russel and Mikko Karmila. Mastered by Simon Efemey at Battery Studios, London, Decemeber 1998.
Amorphis Discography |
