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{{Short description|Finnish heavy metal band}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}{{Infobox musical artist
| Name = Amorphis
| Img = Amorphis 032008 024.jpg
| name = Amorphis
| image = Amorphis - South Park Festival 2018 - 14 (cropped).jpg
| Img_capt = Left-right: [[Tomi Koivusaari|T. Koivusaari]], N. Etelävuori, [[Tomi Joutsen|T. Joutsen]], J. Rechberger, E. Holopainen and S. Kallio performing in 2008
| Img_size = 250
| caption = Amorphis performing in 2018
| landscape=yes
| Landscape = Yes
| Background = group_or_band
| alias =
| Alias =
| origin = [[Helsinki]], Finland
| Origin = [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]]
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Progressive metal]]
| Genre = [[Melodic death metal]]<ref name="RD">{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |title=MusicMight Amorphis |url=http://www.musicmight.com/linkto/artist/{B31C0BFD-474E-46B1-B94B-40DB0F9 |publisher=MusicMight.com |accessdate=March 21, 2008 }}</ref><br />[[Death/doom]]<ref name="RD">{{cite web |author=Sharpe-Young, Garry |title=MusicMight Amorphis |url=http://www.musicmight.com/linkto/artist/{B31C0BFD-474E-46B1-B94B-40DB0F9 |publisher=MusicMight.com |accessdate=December 19, 2008 }}</ref><br />[[Doom Metal]]<br />[[Folk metal]]<ref name="matterseclipse">{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/amorphis_eclipse/|title=PopMatters review of ''Eclipse''|last=Begrand|first=Adrien|date=March 31, 2006|publisher=[[PopMatters]]|accessdate=2009-08-04}}</ref><ref name="allmusicsilent">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jnfexzwgld0e~T1|title=Allmusic review of ''Silent Waters''|last=Eduardo|first=Rivadavia|publisher=[[allmusic]]|accessdate=2009-08-04}}</ref><br />[[Gothic metal]]<ref name="RD"/><br />[[Progressive metal]]<ref name="RD"/>
* [[melodic death metal]]
| Years_active = 1990–present
* [[folk metal]]
| Label = [[Virgin Records|Virgin]]<br /> [[Relapse Records|Relapse]]<br /> [[Nuclear Blast]]
* [[death metal]] (early)
| Associated_acts =
* [[death-doom]] (early)
| URL = [http://www.amorphis.net/ www.amorphis.net]
}}
| Current_members = [[Tomi Joutsen]]<br /> [[Esa Holopainen]]<br /> [[Tomi Koivusaari]]<br /> [[Niclas Etelävuori]]<br /> [[Santeri Kallio]]<br /> Jan Rechberger
| years_active = 1990–present
| Past_members = [[Pasi Koskinen]]<br /> [[Olli-Pekka Laine]]<br /> [[Pekka Kasari]]<br /> [[Kim Rantala]]<br /> [[Kasper Mårtenson]]
| label = {{flatlist|
* [[Virgin Records|Virgin]] (2003)
* [[EMI Group Limited|EMI]]
* [[Relapse Records|Relapse]]
* [[Nuclear Blast]]
* [[Mojo Records|Mojo]]
* [[Mystic Production|Mystic]]
* [[Victor Records|Victor]] ([[JVC]])
* [[Spinefarm Records|Spinefarm]]
* [[Atomic Fire]]
}}
| website = {{URL|amorphis.net}}
| current_members = Esa Holopainen<br />Tomi Koivusaari<br />Jan Rechberger<br />[[Olli-Pekka Laine]]<br />Santeri Kallio<br />Tomi Joutsen
| past_members = [[#Former members|See former members]]
}}
}}


'''Amorphis''' is a [[Finland|Finnish]] [[heavy metal music|metal]] band started by Jan Rechberger, [[Tomi Koivusaari]], and [[Esa Holopainen]] in 1990. Initially, the band was a [[death metal]] act, but on later albums they evolved into playing other types of genres, which include [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]], [[progressive metal]], and [[folk metal]]. They frequently use the [[Kalevala]], the Epic Poem of Finland, as a source for their lyrics.
'''Amorphis''' is a Finnish [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band founded by Jan Rechberger, Tomi Koivusaari, and Esa Holopainen in 1990. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metallian.com/amorphis.php |title=Amorphis band biography |publisher=Metallian |date=10 April 2024 |access-date=10 April 2024}}</ref> Initially, the band was a [[death metal]] act, but on later albums they evolved into playing other genres, including [[progressive metal]] and [[folk metal]]. They frequently use the ''[[Kalevala]]'', the epic poem of Finland, as a source for their lyrics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/music/2017/03/07/heavy-metal-rockers-draw-inspiration-finnish-epics/98491664/|title=Heavy metal rockers draw inspiration from Finnish epics|last=Aberback|first=Brian|date=7 March 2017|website=[[North Jersey Media Group]]|access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref>



==History==
==History==
===Formation and early years===
In 1989, Jan Rechberger and [[Esa Holopainen]] played in a [[thrash metal]] band called Violent Solution, which [[Tomi Koivusaari]] had left the previous year to form the [[death metal]] band [[Abhorrence]]. Violent Solution slowly dissolved and Jan Rechberger and Esa Holopainen put together another death metal band. {{Clarify|date=August 2009}} In early 1990, Tomi Koivusaari became the vocalist and [[Olli-Pekka Laine|Oppu Laine]] became their bassist.


===''Disment of Soul'' and ''The Karelian Isthmus''===
During that time, Tomi also performed rhythm guitar, leading to the band dumping all original compositions and starting over again. {{Why|date=August 2009}} Tomi's other band, Abhorrence, split up and he found himself with more time to put into Amorphis. A demo tape, ''Disment of Soul'', was recorded in 1991 by [[Timo Tolkki]] at TTT studios.
Jan Rechberger played in a [[thrash metal]] band called Violent Solution, which Tomi Koivusaari had left in 1990 to form the [[death metal]] band [[Abhorrence]], with Koivusaari being replaced by Esa Holopainen. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metallian.com/amorphis.php |title=Amorphis history |publisher=Metallian |date=11 April 2024 |access-date=10 April 2024}}</ref> Violent Solution slowly dissolved with Jan Rechberger and Esa Holopainen deciding to continue working with each other to form their own death metal band, Amorphis.{{Clarify|date=August 2009}} With Rechberger having ties with Koivusaari, in early 1990, Koivusaari became the vocalist and the band also got [[Olli-Pekka Laine|Oppu Laine]] to become their bassist. During that time, Koivusaari also performed rhythm guitar, leading to the band dumping all original compositions and starting over again.{{Why|date=August 2009}} Koivusaari's other band, Abhorrence, split up and he found himself with more time to put into Amorphis.


A demo tape, ''Disment of Soul'', was recorded in 1991 by [[Timo Tolkki]] at TTT studios. It was meant to be ''Dismemberment of soul'' but they forgot the word "member" and so it was Disment.
===''The Karelian Isthmus'' and ''Tales from the Thousand Lakes''===
[[Image:Amorphis1992.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Amorphis in 1992 with Jukka Kolehmainen of Abhorrence.]]
After the band recorded their first studio demo tape, [[Relapse Records]] offered Abhorrence a recording contract. Since Abhorrence was no longer active, they sent their own demo in the return mail and got signed to a worldwide recording deal. Soon after getting signed they released their death metal debut, ''[[The Karelian Isthmus]]'' under the new name Amorphis and later released the ''[[Privilege of Evil]]'' EP. The EP featured Abhorrence's original vocalist, Jukka Kolehmainen, on vocals on the Abhorrence cover song "Vulgar Necrolatry".


[[Image:Amorphis1992.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Amorphis in 1992 with Jukka Kolehmainen of Abhorrence]]
In 1994, Amorphis released their second studio album, ''[[Tales from the Thousand Lakes]]'', a concept album based on the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala. This 1994 release, while still rooted in death metal, was their first step toward a new direction as melodic [[clean vocals]] were added, provided by Ville Tuomi. ''Tales from the Thousand Lakes'' won the band a fan base thanks to its innovative sound and fusion of death metal with traditional folk, psychedelia, and progressive elements. This album went on to influence the signature Amorphis sound.<ref>Relapse Records: http://shop.relapse.com/info/about.aspx</ref>
After the band recorded their first studio demo tape, [[Relapse Records]] offered Abhorrence a recording contract. Since Abhorrence was no longer active, they sent their own demo in the return mail and were signed to a worldwide recording deal. Soon after getting signed, they released their debut, ''[[The Karelian Isthmus]]'', under the new name Amorphis and later released the ''[[Privilege of Evil]]'' EP.<ref name="LarkinHR">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|pages=26/7}}</ref> The EP featured Abhorrence's original vocalist, Jukka Kolehmainen, on vocals on the Abhorrence cover song, "Vulgar Necrolatry".


===''Elegy'' and ''Tuonela''===
===''Tales from the Thousand Lakes''===
In 1994, Amorphis released their second album, ''[[Tales from the Thousand Lakes]]'', a concept album based on the Finnish national epic, the ''Kalevala''.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> This 1994 release, while still rooted in death metal, was their first step toward a new direction as melodic clean vocals were added, provided by Ville Tuomi. ''Tales from the Thousand Lakes'' won the band a fan base thanks to its innovative sound and fusion of death metal with traditional folk, psychedelia, and progressive elements. This album went on to influence the signature Amorphis sound.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shop.relapse.com/info/about.aspx|title=Relapse Records|publisher=Shop.relapse.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110729190414/https://shop.relapse.com/info/about.aspx|archive-date=29 July 2011|access-date=24 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
During the subsequent tours Kasper (keyboards) left the band, to be replaced by Kim Rantala. Jan was replaced by Pekka Kasari (ex-[[Stone (band)|Stone]]), and a sixth member was recruited, singer [[Pasi Koskinen]]. The third album, ''[[Elegy (Amorphis album)|Elegy]]'' was released in 1996. Lyrics were again adapted from Finnish mythology, in this case, the Kanteletar, a collection of ancient folk poetry. Pasi and Tomi shared the vocals on an equal basis, with Pasi's providing only clean parts.


===''Elegy''===
After a year and a half of touring following the release of ''Elegy'', the band members took a time-out. Their next offering, 1999's ''[[Tuonela (album)|Tuonela]]'' was a mellow guitar album, although toward the end of the studio sessions, Santeri Kallio of Kyyria was brought in to add some keyboard tracks to the songs. New instruments were introduced (Tomi playing sitar in the song "Greed", Sakari Kukko on saxophone and flute providing a foreign accent) and the death growls were reduced, as all vocals were performed by Pasi.<ref name="amorphis">[http://www.amorphis.net/?page_id=2 Amorphis - Band]</ref>
During the subsequent tours, Martenson (keyboards) left the band, to be replaced by Kim Rantala. Rechberger was replaced by Pekka Kasari (ex-[[Stone (Finnish band)|Stone]]), and a sixth member was recruited, singer Pasi Koskinen.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> The third album, ''[[Elegy (Amorphis album)|Elegy]]'', was released in 1996.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> Lyrics were again adapted from Finnish folklore, in this case, the ''Kanteletar'', a collection of ancient folk poetry. Pasi and Tomi shared the vocals on an equal basis, with Pasi providing only clean parts. After a year and a half of touring following the release of ''Elegy'', the band members took a hiatus.


===''Tuonela'' and ''Story: 10th Anniversary''===
The tenth-anniversary compilation ''[[Story (album)|Story]]'' was produced, and the band experienced another line-up change. Following the breakup of Kyyria, Santeri joined Amorphis as a full-time member. Bassist Oppu was replaced by another ex-Kyyria member, Niclas Etelävuori, to tour with Amorphis on their third U.S. tour.<ref name="amorphis"/>
Their next offering, 1999's ''[[Tuonela (album)|Tuonela]]'', was a mellow guitar album, although toward the end of the studio sessions, Santeri Kallio of Kyyria was brought in to add some keyboard tracks to the songs. New instruments were introduced (Tomi playing sitar in the song "Greed", Sakari Kukko on saxophone and flute providing a foreign accent) and the death growls were reduced, as all vocals were performed by Pasi.<ref name="amorphis">{{cite web|url=http://www.amorphis.net/?page_id=2|title=Band|publisher=Amorphis|access-date=6 November 2011}}</ref>


The band experienced another line-up change. Following the breakup of Kyyria, Santeri joined Amorphis as a full-time member. Bassist Oppu was replaced by another ex-Kyyria member, Niclas Etelävuori, to tour with Amorphis on their third United States tour.<ref name="amorphis"/>
===''Am Universum'' and ''Far from the Sun''===
''[[Am Universum]]'' was released in 2001, which included more emphases to keyboards and saxophone work, the latter contributed by Sakari Kukko. It was an experimental album and Amorphis' most psychedelic to date.<ref name="amorphis"/> In 2002 the band contributed to the soundtrack for the movie [[Menolippu Mombasaan]]. The commissioned piece was a cover version of a 1976 Finnish pop hit "Kuusamo", it is currently the band's only song in their native language.<ref name="amorphis"/>


The tenth-anniversary compilation ''[[Story (Amorphis album)|Story]]'' was released.
Amorphis' last album with Relapse Records was ''Am Universum''. In 2003, Relapse released the retrospective ''[[Chapters (Amorphis album)|Chapters]]'', which included a DVD featuring the band's videos from "Black Winter Day" to "Alone". ''[[Far from the Sun]]'' was produced by the band itself, which had been rejoined by original drummer Jan Rechberger after Pekka Kasari had quit to concentrate on family duties. Pasi left the band in 2004 after nine years.<ref name="amorphis"/>


===''Eclipse'' and ''Silent Waters''===
===''Am Universum''===
''[[Am Universum]]'' was released in 2001, and included more emphasis on keyboards and saxophone work, the latter contributed by [[Sakari Kukko]]. It was an experimental album and Amorphis' most psychedelic to date.<ref name="amorphis"/>
[[Image:Amorphis wiki.jpg|250px|thumb|Left-right: J. Rechberger, T. Joutsen, S. Kallio and E. Holopainen at [[Ruisrock]] 2006.]]
In 2005, Amorphis found a replacement vocalist, [[Tomi Joutsen]] of Sinisthra. The band went on a US-tour and focused on new material. Joutsen was able to perform clean vocals as well as [[death growl|death vocals]], the band now combined the [[death metal]] elements of their earlier releases with their later period [[progressive metal|progressive]] sound. The band recorded and released ''[[Eclipse (Amorphis album)|Eclipse]]'', the band's seventh album, which achieved gold certification in Finland.<ref name="blabbermouth">http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104284</ref>


===''Far from the Sun'' and ''Chapters''===
The band's eighth studio album, ''[[Silent Waters (album)|Silent Waters]]'', was released on September 3, 2007 debuting at number 44 on the German Media Control chart and achieving gold certification.<ref name="blabbermouth"/> It is the second album to feature vocalist Tomi Joutsen.<ref name="blabbermouth"/>
In 2002, the band contributed to the soundtrack for the movie ''[[Menolippu Mombasaan]]''. The commissioned piece was a cover version of a 1976 Finnish pop hit "Kuusamo", and is as of 2024 the band's only song in their native language.<ref name="amorphis"/> The same year they started to record the band's last album with Relapse Records, ''Far from the Sun''. In 2003, Relapse released the retrospective ''[[Chapters (Amorphis album)|Chapters]]'', which included a DVD featuring the band's videos from "Black Winter Day" to "Alone". ''[[Far from the Sun]]'' was produced by the band itself, which had been rejoined by original drummer Jan Rechberger after Pekka Kasari had quit to concentrate on family duties. Pasi left the band in 2004 after nine years.<ref name="amorphis"/>


===''Skyforger'' and present===
===''Eclipse''===
While searching for a new vocalist Amorphis received over a hundred demo tapes from prospective vocalists but none of them became the new frontman of the band. Eventually Tomi Joutsen got an audition through word of mouth and he became their next singer in 2005.<ref name="amorphis"/> Joutsen, best known for his work with metal band Sinisthra,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinisthra.com/|title=Biography|publisher=Sinisthra|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105203228/https://www.sinisthra.com/|archive-date=5 January 2014|access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref> urged Amorphis to return to the use of contrasting vocal styles for their next album.<ref name="amorphis"/> His first album with the band, ''[[Eclipse (Amorphis album)|Eclipse]]'', was released in 2006. It was a critical and commercial success, hailed as a return to form by some critics,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/gr/amorphis.htm|title=Amorphis - Eclipse Review|last=Bowar|first=Chad|publisher=[[About.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211619/https://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/gr/amorphis.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016|access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/eclipse-mw0000508196|title=Eclipse - Amorphis {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|last=Rivadavia|first=Eduardo|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=6 November 2011}}</ref> and achieving gold certification in Finland for the first time in their history.<ref name="blabbermouth">{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/amorphis-to-enter-studio-in-november/|title=Amorphis To Enter Studio In November|date=8 September 2008|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=6 November 2011}}</ref>
[[Image:Amorphis 20090627tuska1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Amorphis playing at [[Tuska]] 2009.]]Amorphis headlined their first tour in North America in September, supporting their album ''Silent Waters'' with supporting acts [[Samael (band)|Samael]] and [[Virgin Black]].<ref name="blabbermouth"/> After the tour, Amorphis entered Sonic Pump Studios in November to record the follow-up to ''Silent Waters''.<ref name="blabbermouth"/>


Just after Joutsen joined, Amorphis performed under name Amorjens ("aHello" in Finnish) to perform at least one gig in Finland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/event/773063+Amorjens|title=Amorjens at Lojo|publisher=Last.fm|access-date=2 June 2015}}</ref>
The next album, ''[[Skyforger (album)|Skyforger]]'', was released in Finland on 27 May 2009<ref name="homepageSkyforgerRelease">{{cite web|url=http://www.amorphis.net/|title=Skyforger released|date=May 27, 2009|publisher=Amorphis|accessdate=2009-05-29}}</ref>, with the rest of Europe following on the 29.<ref name="homepageSkyforgerRelease" /> and the US on 16 June 2009.<ref name="homepageSkyforgerRelease" /> As with ''Eclipse'' and ''Silent Waters'', ''Skyforger'' was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in [[Helsinki]], and includes [[Marco Hietala]] on backing vocals.<ref name="blabbermouth2">{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=114095|title=Amorphis: New Album Title, Cover Artwork, Track Listing Revealed|date=February 10, 2009|publisher=blabbermouth.net|accessdate=2009-02-11}}</ref> The Limited Edition digipak version had a mastering problem with two of the tracks upon its original release, but Nuclear Blast soon issued replacement CDs to remedy the problem.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angrymetalguy.com/?p=85|title=Amorphis - Skyforger Review|date=May 28, 2009|publisher=AngryMetalGuy.com|accessdate=2009-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nuclearblast.de:8080/amorphis-cv/|title=Skyforger – Error on digipak version|date=May 29, 2009|publisher=Amorphis|accessdate=2009-05-29}}</ref>

===''Silent Waters''===
Amorphis followed ''Eclipse'' with gigs and festival appearances throughout Europe, all the while writing new material for the follow-up.<ref name="amorphis"/> They released their next album, ''[[Silent Waters (Amorphis album)|Silent Waters]]'', on 3 September 2007, achieving gold certification in Finland for the second time.<ref name="blabbermouth"/> The album marked the first time in the history of the band that an album was recorded with the same personnel as the previous one.<ref name="amorphis"/> In support of ''Silent Waters'', Amorphis launched their third headlining tour in North America alongside supporting acts [[Samael (band)|Samael]] and [[Virgin Black]].<ref name="blabbermouth"/>

===''Skyforger'' and ''Magic & Mayhem – Tales from the Early Years''===
[[Image:Amorphis 20090627tuska1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Amorphis playing at [[Tuska Open Air Metal Festival|Tuska]] 2009]]
In November 2008, Amorphis entered Sonic Pump Studios to begin recording their 9th album.<ref name="blabbermouth"/> The result of those studio sessions, ''[[Skyforger (album)|Skyforger]]'', was released in Finland on 27 May 2009,<ref name="homepageSkyforgerRelease">{{cite web|url=http://www.amorphis.net/|title=Skyforger released|date=27 May 2009|publisher=Amorphis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627010825/http://www.amorphis.net/|archive-date=27 June 2009|access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref> throughout Europe two days later,<ref name="homepageSkyforgerRelease" /> and in the United States on 16 June.<ref name="homepageSkyforgerRelease" /> Initial presses of the album had mastering errors, which prompted Nuclear Blast to issue replacement CDs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nuclearblast.de:8080/amorphis-cv/|title=Skyforger – Error on digipak version|website=Nuclear Beast|publisher=Amorphis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601042254/http://nuclearblast.de:8080/amorphis-cv/|archive-date=1 June 2009|access-date=29 June 2009}}</ref> The album was certified gold in Finland on 7 July 2011, making it the third Amorphis album in a row to do so.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/amorphis-skyforger-certified-gold-in-finland/|title=Amorphis' 'Skyforger' Certified Gold In Finland|date=7 July 2010|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=6 November 2011}}</ref>

On 20 November 2009, while touring in support of ''Skyforger'', Amorphis filmed a show at Club Teatria in Oulu, Finland for their first-ever live DVD.<ref name="DVD">{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/amorphis-complete-forging-the-land-of-thousand-lakes-dvd-details-revealed/|title=Amorphis: Complete 'Forging The Land Of Thousand Lakes' DVD Details Revealed|date=8 April 2010|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=6 November 2011}}</ref> The show was released alongside another show from Summer Breeze Open Air 2009 and a documentary, titled ''Tales from the 20 Years'', as a part of the CD/DVD set ''Forging the Land of Thousand Lakes'' on 25 June 2010.<ref name=DVD />

On 15 September 2010, Amorphis released ''[[Magic & Mayhem – Tales from the Early Years]]'', a re-working of a dozen tracks from their first three albums with slightly different arrangements, better audio quality and featuring the band's current lineup, plus a cover of "[[Light my Fire]]" as a bonus track. During the tour that followed, the band briefly reunited with Pasi Koskinen and other past members (such as keyboard player Kim Rantala) on stage, to perform some of the older songs.

===''The Beginning of Times''===
[[Image:Amorphis Metal Frenzy 2017 01.jpg|thumb|upright|Santeri Kallio at Metal Frenzy Festival 2017 in [[Gardelegen]]]]
On 30 September 2010, Nuclear Blast announced that Amorphis had started work on a new album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nuclearblast.de/de/label/music/band/news/details/239075.70915.amorphis-ndash-studio-update.html|title=AMORPHIS – Studio-Update! - Nuclear Blast|publisher=Nuclearblast.de|access-date=6 November 2011}}</ref> On 24 January 2011, the band revealed that recording was almost finished, except for vocals which would be completed at the home of producer [[Marko Hietala]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/amorphis-new-album-update/|title=Amorphis: New Album Update|date=24 January 2011|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=6 November 2011}}</ref> The album ''[[The Beginning of Times]]'' was released on 27 May 2011 in Europe and 7 June 2011 in the United States, and features cover art by longtime collaborator Travis Smith.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/amorphis-new-album-details-revealed/|title=Amorphis: New Album Details Revealed|date=28 February 2011|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=6 November 2011}}</ref>

===''Circle''===
On 21 August 2012, Amorphis announced on their website that a new album was in the works.<ref name="amorphis.net">{{cite web|url=http://amorphis.net|title=Tour in December, new album in spring|date=21 August 2012|publisher=Amorphis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906002428/https://amorphis.net/|archive-date=6 September 2012|access-date=19 March 2015}}</ref> On 17 January 2013, the band announced the title and release date for their next record. ''[[Circle (Amorphis album)|Circle]]'' was released on 19 April in Europe and 30 April in North America. Tomi Joutsen said about the new album, "Circle represents integrity. Back in the days, when there was something special to talk about, wise men used to sit in circle. Not everyone was invited to join them. But in this story, the protagonist was invited among the wise men's circle."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/notes/amorphis/amorphis-new-album-details-revealed/10151428886266125|title=AMORPHIS - New Album Details Revealed!|website=[[Facebook]]|access-date=19 March 2015}}</ref>

On 16 September 2013, ''Circle'' won [[Metal Hammer]]'s "Album of the Year" award. Esa Holopainen said about the award, "For us, Album of the Year award is a great recognition for the work done so far. Especially when we got it from our 11th studio album."<ref name="amorphis.net"/>

On 4 August 2014, Amorphis announced on their website and through social media that they would be playing a number of special ''Tales from the Thousand Lakes'' 20th anniversary shows where their 1994 album would be performed in its entirety. The shows included festivals such as [[Wacken Open Air]], [[Maryland Deathfest]], and [[70000 Tons of Metal]], with many other tour dates and festivals included.<ref name="amorphis.net"/>

===''Under the Red Cloud''===
The band began demoing new songs at the start of 2015, and on 4 March, it was announced that Amorphis would begin to record a new album in April, at Fascination Street Studio, [[Örebro]], [[Sweden]] with [[Jens Bogren]], and with an album release date sometime in September 2015.

The lyrics would be written once again by Pekka Kainulainen, who says, "Like 'Kalevala', they are descriptions of natural phenomena, seasons and the human mind. Reoccurring situations where hope and uncertainty alternate. Attempting to gain advice from higher powers. The poems do not form a complete story per se, but they are drawn together by a certain theme. We live under a red cloud and once again, time weighs us."{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

The release of the new album was to be followed by a world tour, starting with shows in the band's home country of Finland, then other parts of Europe with [[Nightwish]] and [[Arch Enemy]] in November 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/amorphis-to-begin-recording-new-album-in-april/|title=Amorphis To Begin Recording New Album In April|date=4 March 2015|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=19 March 2015}}</ref>

On 15 June 2015, the band announced the upcoming twelfth album titled ''[[Under the Red Cloud]]'', with the artwork and track list revealed and with a release date of 4 September 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/amorphis-to-release-under-the-red-cloud-album-in-september/|title=AMORPHIS To Release 'Under The Red Cloud' Album In September|date=15 June 2015|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=15 June 2015}}</ref>

===''Queen of Time''===
[[File:Amorphis Rockharz 2018 06.jpg|thumb|Singer Tomi Joutsen at Rockharz Open Air 2018]]
On 22 February 2018, Amorphis announced they had finished recording their thirteenth studio album ''[[Queen of Time]]'', which was released on 18 May 2018 via Nuclear Blast Records. The album recording process featured the band's former bass player Olli-Pekka 'Oppu' Laine replacing Amorphis' longtime bassist Niclas Etelävuori, who left in April 2017 after their North American tour due to disagreements with the band's management, making this the first time since ''Tales from the Thousand Lakes'' that all the original band members had played on an album together.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://noizr.com/news/world/amorphis-announces-release-date-of-new-album-queen-of-time/:1974/|title=Amorphis announces release date of new album "Queen Of Time"|work=NOIZR.COM|date=22 February 2018 |access-date=22 February 2018}}</ref> On 23 March 2018, the band released the first single, "The Bee", off the record.

=== ''Halo'' ===
On 24 February 2022,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=AMORPHIS – enter the charts / final studio trailer! {{!}} Atomic Fire Records |url=https://label.atomicfire-records.com/amorphis-enter-the-charts-final-studio-trailer/ |access-date=2022-03-06 |language=en-US}}</ref> Amorphis released its 14th studio album, [[Halo (Amorphis album)|''Halo'']], marking the band's 30th anniversary since the release of its 1992 debut record, ''[[The Karelian Isthmus]]''. The band struggled with various complications related to the Covid-19 pandemic while recording the album.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Halo Documentary - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBCkm4VYo_DhwLz3iapklfrPmhEwrarqe |access-date=2022-03-06 |website=www.youtube.com}}</ref> This album is also more guitar-driven and "heavier" than ''[[Queen of Time]]''.<ref name=":1" /> The album has been received well by both fans and critics, landing on top of the charts in Finland and in top-10 charts in many other countries.<ref name=":0" /> As of March 2022, two songs from the album have been released with full music videos ("[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU5A5nqojYo The Moon]" and "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8aH5HVx_0c On the Dark Waters]"). The album continues to draw heavily on Finnish folklore, with references to [[Tuonela]], the underworld realm of Finnish and Estonian mythology.

==Musical style==
Amorphis began as a [[death metal]]<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/amorphis-mn0000022590/biography|title=Amorphis {{!}} Biography & History|last=Hill|first=Gary|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref> and [[death-doom]] band,<ref name="voices">{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/10-most-beautiful-voices-death-metal/|title=10 Most Beautiful Voices in Death Metal|last=Hartmann|first=Graham|date=20 December 2018|website=[[Loudwire]]|access-date=3 February 2019|quote=Amorphis experienced their Renaissance when Tomi Joutsen joined in 2005. Having taken a death-doom approach in their early days, Amorphis found their identity when Joutsen’s voice made them one of the best melodeath acts on the planet.}}</ref> and later incorporated other styles, such as [[progressive metal]],<ref name="AllMusic"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/amorphis-fourth-trailer-for-queen-of-time-album/|title=Amorphis: Fourth Trailer For 'Queen Of Time' Album|date=10 May 2018|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref> [[melodic death metal]],<ref name="voices"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/amorphis-announce-may-release-for-new-lp-queen-of-time/|title=Amorphis Announce May Release for New LP 'Queen of Time'|last=Christopher|first=Michael|date=22 February 2018|website=[[Loudwire]]|access-date=February 3, 2019}}</ref><ref name="soft">{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/10-rock-metal-acts-who-went-soft-but-still-rule/|title=10 Rock + Metal Acts Who 'Went Soft' But Still Rule|last=Hartmann|first=Graham|date=27 February 2017|website=[[Loudwire]]|access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref> and [[folk metal]].<ref name="AllMusic"/><ref name="soft"/>


==Members==
==Members==

[[Image:Amorphis Tomi Joutsen-2.jpg|thumb|right|Vocalist [[Tomi Joutsen]] at [[Ankkarock]] 2008.]]
===Current members===
===Current members===
* Esa Holopainen – [[lead guitar]] (1990–present)
* [[Tomi Joutsen]] – vocals (since 2005)
* Tomi Koivusaari – [[rhythm guitar]], [[backing vocals]] (1990–present), [[Death growl|harsh vocals]] (1990–1998)
* [[Esa Holopainen]] – lead guitar (since 1990)
* Jan Rechberger – [[drums]] (1990–1996, 2002–present), studio keyboards (1990–1993)
* [[Tomi Koivusaari]] – rhythm guitar (since 1990)
* [[Niclas Etelävuori]] – bass (since 2000)
* [[Olli-Pekka Laine]] – [[bass guitar]], backing vocals (1990–2000, 2017–present)
* [[Santeri Kallio]] – keyboards (since 1999)
* Santeri Kallio – [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]] (1998–present)
* Tomi Joutsen – [[lead vocals]] (2005–present)
* [[Jan Rechberger]] – drums (1990-1995, since 2003)


===Former members===
===Former members===
* [[Pasi Koskinen]] – vocals (1996–2004)
* Kasper Mårtenson – keyboards (1993–1994)
* Ville Tuomi – lead vocals (1994–1995, 2010)
* [[Olli-Pekka Laine]] – bass (1992–1999)
* [[Pekka Kasari]] – drums (1996–2002)
* Kim Rantala – keyboards (1994–1998)
* [[Kim Rantala]] – keyboards (1994–1998)
* Marko Waara – lead vocals (1995)
* [[Kasper Mårtenson]] – keyboards (1993–1994)
* Pekka Kasari – drums (1995–2002)
* Pasi Koskinen – lead vocals (1995–2004)
* Pekka Kasari – drums (1996–2002)
* [[Janne Puurtinen]] – keyboards (1998)
* Niclas Etelävuori – bass (2000–2017)


==Discography==
===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
===Albums===
ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:18
{|class="wikitable"
PlotArea = left:100 bottom:100 top:0 right:15
!Title
Alignbars = justify
!Released
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
|-
Period = from:01/01/1990 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
|''[[The Karelian Isthmus]]''
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
|November 10, 1992
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4
|-
ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1990
|''[[Tales from the Thousand Lakes]]''
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1990
|July 12, 1994
|-
|''[[Elegy (Amorphis album)|Elegy]]''
|May 14, 1996
|-
|''[[Tuonela (album)|Tuonela]]''
|March 29, 1999
|-
|''[[Am Universum]]''
|April 3, 2001
|-
|''[[Far from the Sun]]''
|May 26, 2003
|-
|''[[Eclipse (Amorphis album)|Eclipse]]''
|February 15, 2006
|-
|-
|''[[Silent Waters (Amorphis album)|Silent Waters]]''
|August 29, 2007
|-
|''[[Skyforger (album)|Skyforger]]''
|May 27, 2009
|-
|}


Colors =
===Singles and EPs===
id:vocals value:red legend:Lead_Vocals
* ''[[Disment of Soul]]'' (1991)
id:lead value:teal legend:Lead_Guitar
* ''Amorphis'' (1991)
id:rhythm value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_Guitar
* ''[[Privilege of Evil]]'' (1993)
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
* ''[[Black Winter Day]]'' (1995)
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
* ''[[My Kantele]]'' (1997)
id:keyboards value:purple legend:Keyboards
* ''Divinity'' (1999)
id:lines value:black legend:Studio_Album
* ''Alone'' (2001)
* ''Day of Your Beliefs'' (2003)
* ''Evil Inside'' (2003)
* ''Far From The Sun'' (2003)
* ''House of Sleep'' (2005)
* ''The Smoke'' (2006)
* ''Silent Waters'' (2007)
* ''Silver Bride'' (2009)
* ''From The Heaven Of My Heart'' (2009)


LineData =
===Video clips===
at:11/01/1992 color:black layer:back
* ''Black Winter Day''
at:07/12/1994 color:black layer:back
* ''Against Widows''
at:05/14/1996 color:black layer:back
* ''My Kantele''
at:03/29/1999 color:black layer:back
* ''Divinity''
at:04/03/2001 color:black layer:back
* ''Alone''
at:05/06/2003 color:black layer:back
* ''Evil Inside''
at:02/15/2006 color:black layer:back
* ''House of Sleep''
at:08/29/2007 color:black layer:back
* ''Silent Waters''
at:05/27/2009 color:black layer:back
* ''Silver Bride''
at:05/25/2011 color:black layer:back
* ''From the Heaven of my Heart''
at:04/19/2013 color:black layer:back
at:09/04/2015 color:black layer:back
at:05/18/2018 color:black layer:back
at:02/11/2022 color:black layer:back


BarData =
===Compilations===
bar:Koskinen text:"Pasi Koskinen"
{|class="wikitable"
bar:Joutsen text:"Tomi Joutsen"
!Title
bar:Holopainen text:"Esa Holopainen"
!Released
bar:Koivusaari text:"Tomi Koivusaari"
|-
bar:Laine text:"Olli-Pekka Laine"
|[[Story (album)|Story - 10th Anniversary]]''
bar:Etelävuori text:"Niclas Etelävuori"
|May 10, 2000
bar:Rechberger text:"Jan Rechberger"
|-
bar:Kasari text:"Pekka Kasari"
|''[[Chapters (Amorphis album)|Chapters]]'' (CD and DVD)
bar:Mårtenson text:"Kasper Mårtenson"
|June 17, 2003
bar:Rantala text:"Kim Rantala"
|-
bar:Kallio text:"Santeri Kallio"
|''[[Magic & Mayhem - Tales From the Early Years]]''

|September 17, 2010
PlotData=
|-
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4)
|}
bar:Koivusaari from:start till:09/01/1995 color:vocals width:3
bar:Koivusaari from:start till:end color:rhythm
bar:Holopainen from:start till:end color:lead
bar:Koskinen from:09/01/1995 till:02/01/2004 color:vocals
bar:Joutsen from:02/01/2004 till:end color:vocals
bar:Laine from:start till:04/01/2000 color:bass
bar:Laine from:04/01/2017 till:end color:bass
bar:Etelävuori from:04/01/2000 till:04/01/2017 color:bass
bar:Rechberger from:start till:09/01/1995 color:drums
bar:Rechberger from:03/01/2002 till:end color:drums
bar:Kasari from:09/01/1995 till:03/01/2002 color:drums
bar:Rechberger from:03/01/1992 till:03/01/1993 color:keyboards width:3
bar:Mårtenson from:03/01/1993 till:09/01/1994 color:keyboards
bar:Rantala from:09/01/1994 till:07/01/1998 color:keyboards
bar:Kallio from:07/01/1998 till:end color:keyboards
}}

==Discography==
{{Main|Amorphis discography}}

'''Studio albums'''
* ''[[The Karelian Isthmus]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Tales from the Thousand Lakes]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Elegy (Amorphis album)|Elegy]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Tuonela (album)|Tuonela]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Am Universum]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Far from the Sun]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Eclipse (Amorphis album)|Eclipse]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Silent Waters (Amorphis album)|Silent Waters]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Skyforger (album)|Skyforger]]'' (2009)
* ''[[The Beginning of Times]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Circle (Amorphis album)|Circle]]'' (2013)
* ''[[Under the Red Cloud]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Queen of Time]]'' (2018)
* ''[[Halo (Amorphis album)|Halo]]'' (2022)


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commonscat}}
{{Commons|Amorphis}}
*[http://www.amorphis.net Official website]
*{{Official website|http://www.amorphis.net}}
*{{allmusic}}


{{Amorphis}}
{{Amorphis}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Amorphis}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Amorphis}}
[[Category:Finnish death metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines]]
[[Category:Finnish heavy metal musical groups]]
[[Category:1990 establishments in Finland]]
[[Category:Folk metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Finnish folk metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Finnish gothic metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Finnish progressive metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Finnish progressive metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Relapse Records artists]]
[[Category:Finnish heavy metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Finnish melodic death metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Finnish melodic death metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Finnish death metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1990]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1990]]
[[Category:Nuclear Blast artists]]

[[Category:Relapse Records artists]]
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Latest revision as of 19:50, 7 December 2024

Amorphis
Amorphis performing in 2018
Amorphis performing in 2018
Background information
OriginHelsinki, Finland
Genres
Years active1990–present
Labels
MembersEsa Holopainen
Tomi Koivusaari
Jan Rechberger
Olli-Pekka Laine
Santeri Kallio
Tomi Joutsen
Past membersSee former members
Websiteamorphis.net

Amorphis is a Finnish heavy metal band founded by Jan Rechberger, Tomi Koivusaari, and Esa Holopainen in 1990. [1] Initially, the band was a death metal act, but on later albums they evolved into playing other genres, including progressive metal and folk metal. They frequently use the Kalevala, the epic poem of Finland, as a source for their lyrics.[2]

History

[edit]

Disment of Soul and The Karelian Isthmus

[edit]

Jan Rechberger played in a thrash metal band called Violent Solution, which Tomi Koivusaari had left in 1990 to form the death metal band Abhorrence, with Koivusaari being replaced by Esa Holopainen. [3] Violent Solution slowly dissolved with Jan Rechberger and Esa Holopainen deciding to continue working with each other to form their own death metal band, Amorphis.[clarification needed] With Rechberger having ties with Koivusaari, in early 1990, Koivusaari became the vocalist and the band also got Oppu Laine to become their bassist. During that time, Koivusaari also performed rhythm guitar, leading to the band dumping all original compositions and starting over again.[why?] Koivusaari's other band, Abhorrence, split up and he found himself with more time to put into Amorphis.

A demo tape, Disment of Soul, was recorded in 1991 by Timo Tolkki at TTT studios. It was meant to be Dismemberment of soul but they forgot the word "member" and so it was Disment.

Amorphis in 1992 with Jukka Kolehmainen of Abhorrence

After the band recorded their first studio demo tape, Relapse Records offered Abhorrence a recording contract. Since Abhorrence was no longer active, they sent their own demo in the return mail and were signed to a worldwide recording deal. Soon after getting signed, they released their debut, The Karelian Isthmus, under the new name Amorphis and later released the Privilege of Evil EP.[4] The EP featured Abhorrence's original vocalist, Jukka Kolehmainen, on vocals on the Abhorrence cover song, "Vulgar Necrolatry".

Tales from the Thousand Lakes

[edit]

In 1994, Amorphis released their second album, Tales from the Thousand Lakes, a concept album based on the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala.[4] This 1994 release, while still rooted in death metal, was their first step toward a new direction as melodic clean vocals were added, provided by Ville Tuomi. Tales from the Thousand Lakes won the band a fan base thanks to its innovative sound and fusion of death metal with traditional folk, psychedelia, and progressive elements. This album went on to influence the signature Amorphis sound.[5]

Elegy

[edit]

During the subsequent tours, Martenson (keyboards) left the band, to be replaced by Kim Rantala. Rechberger was replaced by Pekka Kasari (ex-Stone), and a sixth member was recruited, singer Pasi Koskinen.[4] The third album, Elegy, was released in 1996.[4] Lyrics were again adapted from Finnish folklore, in this case, the Kanteletar, a collection of ancient folk poetry. Pasi and Tomi shared the vocals on an equal basis, with Pasi providing only clean parts. After a year and a half of touring following the release of Elegy, the band members took a hiatus.

Tuonela and Story: 10th Anniversary

[edit]

Their next offering, 1999's Tuonela, was a mellow guitar album, although toward the end of the studio sessions, Santeri Kallio of Kyyria was brought in to add some keyboard tracks to the songs. New instruments were introduced (Tomi playing sitar in the song "Greed", Sakari Kukko on saxophone and flute providing a foreign accent) and the death growls were reduced, as all vocals were performed by Pasi.[6]

The band experienced another line-up change. Following the breakup of Kyyria, Santeri joined Amorphis as a full-time member. Bassist Oppu was replaced by another ex-Kyyria member, Niclas Etelävuori, to tour with Amorphis on their third United States tour.[6]

The tenth-anniversary compilation Story was released.

Am Universum

[edit]

Am Universum was released in 2001, and included more emphasis on keyboards and saxophone work, the latter contributed by Sakari Kukko. It was an experimental album and Amorphis' most psychedelic to date.[6]

Far from the Sun and Chapters

[edit]

In 2002, the band contributed to the soundtrack for the movie Menolippu Mombasaan. The commissioned piece was a cover version of a 1976 Finnish pop hit "Kuusamo", and is as of 2024 the band's only song in their native language.[6] The same year they started to record the band's last album with Relapse Records, Far from the Sun. In 2003, Relapse released the retrospective Chapters, which included a DVD featuring the band's videos from "Black Winter Day" to "Alone". Far from the Sun was produced by the band itself, which had been rejoined by original drummer Jan Rechberger after Pekka Kasari had quit to concentrate on family duties. Pasi left the band in 2004 after nine years.[6]

Eclipse

[edit]

While searching for a new vocalist Amorphis received over a hundred demo tapes from prospective vocalists but none of them became the new frontman of the band. Eventually Tomi Joutsen got an audition through word of mouth and he became their next singer in 2005.[6] Joutsen, best known for his work with metal band Sinisthra,[7] urged Amorphis to return to the use of contrasting vocal styles for their next album.[6] His first album with the band, Eclipse, was released in 2006. It was a critical and commercial success, hailed as a return to form by some critics,[8][9] and achieving gold certification in Finland for the first time in their history.[10]

Just after Joutsen joined, Amorphis performed under name Amorjens ("aHello" in Finnish) to perform at least one gig in Finland.[11]

Silent Waters

[edit]

Amorphis followed Eclipse with gigs and festival appearances throughout Europe, all the while writing new material for the follow-up.[6] They released their next album, Silent Waters, on 3 September 2007, achieving gold certification in Finland for the second time.[10] The album marked the first time in the history of the band that an album was recorded with the same personnel as the previous one.[6] In support of Silent Waters, Amorphis launched their third headlining tour in North America alongside supporting acts Samael and Virgin Black.[10]

Skyforger and Magic & Mayhem – Tales from the Early Years

[edit]
Amorphis playing at Tuska 2009

In November 2008, Amorphis entered Sonic Pump Studios to begin recording their 9th album.[10] The result of those studio sessions, Skyforger, was released in Finland on 27 May 2009,[12] throughout Europe two days later,[12] and in the United States on 16 June.[12] Initial presses of the album had mastering errors, which prompted Nuclear Blast to issue replacement CDs.[13] The album was certified gold in Finland on 7 July 2011, making it the third Amorphis album in a row to do so.[14]

On 20 November 2009, while touring in support of Skyforger, Amorphis filmed a show at Club Teatria in Oulu, Finland for their first-ever live DVD.[15] The show was released alongside another show from Summer Breeze Open Air 2009 and a documentary, titled Tales from the 20 Years, as a part of the CD/DVD set Forging the Land of Thousand Lakes on 25 June 2010.[15]

On 15 September 2010, Amorphis released Magic & Mayhem – Tales from the Early Years, a re-working of a dozen tracks from their first three albums with slightly different arrangements, better audio quality and featuring the band's current lineup, plus a cover of "Light my Fire" as a bonus track. During the tour that followed, the band briefly reunited with Pasi Koskinen and other past members (such as keyboard player Kim Rantala) on stage, to perform some of the older songs.

The Beginning of Times

[edit]
Santeri Kallio at Metal Frenzy Festival 2017 in Gardelegen

On 30 September 2010, Nuclear Blast announced that Amorphis had started work on a new album.[16] On 24 January 2011, the band revealed that recording was almost finished, except for vocals which would be completed at the home of producer Marko Hietala.[17] The album The Beginning of Times was released on 27 May 2011 in Europe and 7 June 2011 in the United States, and features cover art by longtime collaborator Travis Smith.[18]

Circle

[edit]

On 21 August 2012, Amorphis announced on their website that a new album was in the works.[19] On 17 January 2013, the band announced the title and release date for their next record. Circle was released on 19 April in Europe and 30 April in North America. Tomi Joutsen said about the new album, "Circle represents integrity. Back in the days, when there was something special to talk about, wise men used to sit in circle. Not everyone was invited to join them. But in this story, the protagonist was invited among the wise men's circle."[20]

On 16 September 2013, Circle won Metal Hammer's "Album of the Year" award. Esa Holopainen said about the award, "For us, Album of the Year award is a great recognition for the work done so far. Especially when we got it from our 11th studio album."[19]

On 4 August 2014, Amorphis announced on their website and through social media that they would be playing a number of special Tales from the Thousand Lakes 20th anniversary shows where their 1994 album would be performed in its entirety. The shows included festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Maryland Deathfest, and 70000 Tons of Metal, with many other tour dates and festivals included.[19]

Under the Red Cloud

[edit]

The band began demoing new songs at the start of 2015, and on 4 March, it was announced that Amorphis would begin to record a new album in April, at Fascination Street Studio, Örebro, Sweden with Jens Bogren, and with an album release date sometime in September 2015.

The lyrics would be written once again by Pekka Kainulainen, who says, "Like 'Kalevala', they are descriptions of natural phenomena, seasons and the human mind. Reoccurring situations where hope and uncertainty alternate. Attempting to gain advice from higher powers. The poems do not form a complete story per se, but they are drawn together by a certain theme. We live under a red cloud and once again, time weighs us."[citation needed]

The release of the new album was to be followed by a world tour, starting with shows in the band's home country of Finland, then other parts of Europe with Nightwish and Arch Enemy in November 2015.[21]

On 15 June 2015, the band announced the upcoming twelfth album titled Under the Red Cloud, with the artwork and track list revealed and with a release date of 4 September 2015.[22]

Queen of Time

[edit]
Singer Tomi Joutsen at Rockharz Open Air 2018

On 22 February 2018, Amorphis announced they had finished recording their thirteenth studio album Queen of Time, which was released on 18 May 2018 via Nuclear Blast Records. The album recording process featured the band's former bass player Olli-Pekka 'Oppu' Laine replacing Amorphis' longtime bassist Niclas Etelävuori, who left in April 2017 after their North American tour due to disagreements with the band's management, making this the first time since Tales from the Thousand Lakes that all the original band members had played on an album together.[23] On 23 March 2018, the band released the first single, "The Bee", off the record.

Halo

[edit]

On 24 February 2022,[24] Amorphis released its 14th studio album, Halo, marking the band's 30th anniversary since the release of its 1992 debut record, The Karelian Isthmus. The band struggled with various complications related to the Covid-19 pandemic while recording the album.[25] This album is also more guitar-driven and "heavier" than Queen of Time.[25] The album has been received well by both fans and critics, landing on top of the charts in Finland and in top-10 charts in many other countries.[24] As of March 2022, two songs from the album have been released with full music videos ("The Moon" and "On the Dark Waters"). The album continues to draw heavily on Finnish folklore, with references to Tuonela, the underworld realm of Finnish and Estonian mythology.

Musical style

[edit]

Amorphis began as a death metal[26] and death-doom band,[27] and later incorporated other styles, such as progressive metal,[26][28] melodic death metal,[27][29][30] and folk metal.[26][30]

Members

[edit]

Current members

[edit]

Former members

[edit]
  • Kasper Mårtenson – keyboards (1993–1994)
  • Ville Tuomi – lead vocals (1994–1995, 2010)
  • Kim Rantala – keyboards (1994–1998)
  • Marko Waara – lead vocals (1995)
  • Pekka Kasari – drums (1995–2002)
  • Pasi Koskinen – lead vocals (1995–2004)
  • Pekka Kasari – drums (1996–2002)
  • Janne Puurtinen – keyboards (1998)
  • Niclas Etelävuori – bass (2000–2017)

Timeline

[edit]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Amorphis discography

Studio albums

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Amorphis band biography". Metallian. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  2. ^ Aberback, Brian (7 March 2017). "Heavy metal rockers draw inspiration from Finnish epics". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
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