We check in with all things heavy on RTRFM’s Critical Mass show.
Well a couple of years have passed since Finland’s finest, Amorphis, released Beginning of Times. Now like a well oiled machine, they’ve churned out another slab of melodic death metal treats under the title of new album Circle. In fact, their last four studio albums have been released biennually. No prizes for guessing the likely year of the next album release.
Anyway onto the new Circle album. It’s become quite the chart topper in their homeland over the last few weeks, which is always surprising to see melodic death metal in any popular album charts. I guess that’s what the kids are digging in Finland. Apparently on release, it peaked at number one. This week number six, but they still beat Mikey Bublé. It’s done alright on the Billboard charts as well.
Musically, it’s.. well Amorphis. They’re not treading any new ground here (other than their new range of BBQ sauce), but at the same time, they have strengthened their tried and tested sound over the last 9–10 years, with a trusty mix of catchy, melodic tracks such as “Into The Abyss”, with some Gruff’n’Scruff vocals from Tomi Joutsen on most of the other tracks. Throw in some intricate lead guitar work from founding member Esa Holopainen, and there you have the recognisable sound of Circle by Amorphis, which will delight their fans the world over.
Having never setting foot on these sunny shores, they have finally announced a tour here in October including Perth, which surely must result in a 80–90+ minute set, hopefully, with the new album in tow, plus a huge back catalogue to choose from.
FFO — Barren Earth, Korpiklaani, Nightwish, Children of Bodom, Taxiride.
