[img]http://www.metal-fanatics.net/gfx/amorphis%20logo_22111354.jpg[/img]
Amorphis is a Finnish metal band started by Jan Rechberger, Tomi Koivusaari, and Esa Holopainen in 1990. They started off more as a death metal band, but they have expanded their horizons a lot since they have formed.
The first album they released was called [I]The Karelian Isthmus[/I] (an ancient battlefield in Finland, it borders Russia) The album focused a lot on historic Epics, War and Religion. It was a Death Metal album, as all former members came from a Death Metal background, and was released in '92.
Their second album was called [I]Tales of The Thousand Lakes[/I]. It was released in 1994, and was a Melodic Death album. It was the album which got them their taste of fame, because of their blend of Death metal with a more traditional folk and progressive scene. It also influenced their unique sound.
[I]Elegy [/I]was released in 1996, and branched off a little from Death, but were still mainly a Death Metal band. New singer Pasi Koskinen provided the cleaner, more mellow non death lyrics. Elegy means a mournful poem, often to remember or lament the dead.
They toured for 18 months after that, then were pretty inactive until 99, with their release of [I]Tuonela[/I], which is the realm of the dead in Finnish Lore. This is more of a stoner or Doom Metal album. It was a more mellow album. It was also the first album to use Keyboard. Pasi was the only singer in this album, as it was their first album which wasn't Death Metal.
To commemorate 10 years, they made a Best Of album, called [I]Story[/I]. It also brought on a new line up. Santeri Kallio joined Amorphis after the band Kyyria broke up, which he was a member of. Niclas Etelävouri, another ex- Kyyria member, joined as bassist.
[I]Am Universum[/I] was their sixth album, released in 2001. This had more emphasis on Keyboard and Saxaphone, and some songs had a bit of a jazzy feel to them. It was made as a bit of an experiment.
[I]Far From the Sun[/I] was released in 2003, and released by Amorphis themselves. This was the last album with Pasi Koskinen left the band after 9 years.
[I]Eclipse[/I] was their eighth album, released in 2005 with new singer Tomi Joutsen. They started on new material and new styles in this album. Tomi was able to perform both clean and death vocals, so some songs in the album contained Death elements. Eclipse got Gold status in certification in Finland, as did [i]Silent Waters[/i], released in 2007.
Their latest album is called [I]Skyforger[/I] released earlier this year. It returned to the lyric style of Tales From The Thousand Lakes, focusing on the Epic Kelavala, all in the perspective of one character. Like the last two albums -Far From the Sun and Eclipse- Skyforger is another concept album.
A limited edition of Skyforger was released, which contained the song [I]Godlike Machine[/I].
[I]Silver Bride[/I] was a single from Skyforger, and was a Number 1 in Finland.
To show just how varied their style is, a song from each album:
The Pigrimage-The Karelian Isthsmus
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOeHl6ieToI[/media]
Into hiding- The Tales of The Thousand Lakes
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf4oCrIUixY[/media]
On Rich and Poor-Elegy
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RXAgFisXT8[/media]
Morning Star- Tuonela
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D94fyCkg480[/media]
Shatters within- Am Universum
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR3YbjoNMyY[/media]
Day of your Beliefs- Far From the Sun
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub2vU6tm458[/media]
Brother Moon- Eclipse
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEs668fy4_U[/media]
Silent Waters- Silent Waters (has a video, nothing really in it other than the band, but the scenery is pretty cool)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb2gjwq1WXg[/media]
Sky is Mine- Skyforger
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLat3jT9L5s[/media]
Personally I definitely prefer the stuff from Tomi, it's fantastic. I like the other stuff, just prefer their newer work.
And the current band:
[img]http://www.metal-invader.com/interviews/Amorphis-2007-08-20/photos/Amorphis_03.jpg[/img]
Current members are Tomi Joutsen, Esa Holopainen, Tomi Koivusaari, Niclas Etelävuori, Santeri Kallio and Jan Rechberger.
Discography and dates of release
The Karelian Isthmus- November 10, 1992
Tales from the Thousand Lakes - July 12, 1994
Elegy - May 14, 1996
Tuonela- March 29, 1999
Am Universum- April 3, 2001
Far from the Sun- May 26, 2003
Eclipse- February 15, 2006
Silent Waters- August 29, 2007
Skyforger- May 27, 2009
I would call them Folk Metal.
Also, awesomely kickass band. This is one of the reasons Im proud that Im finnish.
Yeah, Folk is probably a good one, going by the lyrics
title edit time :downs:
I only have one album by the band, but I really really like it. Quality music.
[QUOTE=SaWAH;18858269]I only have one album by the band, but I really really like it. Quality music.[/QUOTE]
What album?
[editline]05:41PM[/editline]
[QUOTE=Hakita;18858310][hd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6VXGFl62O4[/hd]
Two. Fucking. Moons.[/QUOTE]
Oh yes.
Brother Moon is the best from that album, imo. Stone Woman a close second.
And you made me play Eclipse :cool:
Really don't see the point of HQ when it's just the album cover though lol.
I was like 'oshi video'
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNTVFcFF2Ec[/media]
First song I heard from them.
I think Amorphis are a great band, they have a unique sound to them which I am yet to find in any other metal band.
Coincidently, I have their album Skyforger on my playlist right now.
[QUOTE=Hakita;18896351][media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNTVFcFF2Ec[/media]
First song I heard from them.[/QUOTE]
First song I heard was Silver Bride from Skyforger, and thought it was pretty awesome.
Also, I think Amorphis' name is quite coincidentally fitting. They got it from 'Amorphous' which means no indefinite shape, or form or whatever.
Which is cool because Amorphis are always trying out new things in their music, style always changing.
[QUOTE=mikeyt493;18919487]First song I heard was Silver Bride from Skyforger, and thought it was pretty awesome.
Also, I think Amorphis' name is quite coincidentally fitting. They got it from 'Amorphous' which means no indefinite shape, or form or whatever.
Which is cool because Amorphis are always trying out new things in their music, style always changing.[/QUOTE]
I love it when Radio Rock plays Amorphis songs. They do that quite frequently too.
Radio stations in the UK are really shit, mostly play just mainstream stuff. Hell I'm the only person I know who knows Amorphis [I]exists[/I] never mind like :downs:
They're not unknown, but they deserve more. As do many bands, though.
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