Amorphis Album: “Elegy”

As a newcommer to the death metal scene, I picked up Amorphis: Elegy on a whim, and it was by far one of the best choices I have made, musically. The songs are metal-driven yet somewhat peaceful and melodic. One thing I think is quite amazing is their use of 2 vocalists, one vocalist uses standard deep death metal growls, while the other one has more a Layne Staley (Alice in Chains) type of voice. The instrumental skill of this band is also quite amazing, from the guitars, drums, and harmonious keyboading this CD will blow your mind, it is a must get. If you like Amorphis: Elegy, give In Flames: The Jester Race, Amon Amarth: Once Sent From The Golden Hall, and Opeth: Morningrise a try as well. These are all spectacular bands.

Amorphis are masters of death epic metal practically proven in "Tales Of The Thousand Lakes" and "The Karelian Isthmus".

"Elegy" is a totally different album, it reveals the true genius of this band by shifting from death metal to Progressive metal and Art rock. The whole album is wonderful with heavy rythm guitars to keep the metal side, and psychedelic lead guitars and keyboards. The vocals are mainly clean ones but death growls are evident throughout the whole album but the music itself it very psychedelic and progressive. "Better Unborn" is very psychedelic in rythm with middle eastern influenced tunes. "The Orphan" has excellent psychedelic haunting keyboards and is a true example of progressive art rock with all the heaviness and grace of metal rythm guitars; it has also a very progressive rythmic guitar sound in the middle. "Relief" is a skillfull masterpiece of progressive metal with majestic psychedelic keyboards and guitars.

As a whole, this album is a masterpiece and a jewel in the crown of Progressive metal. Amorphis really prove themselves to be fully capable of playing art rock and not only mastering death metal; a really big move in the history of this masterful band.

The album that raised Amorphis to the top. The fusion of Tomi's signature cookie monster growls and newcomer Pasi's pure voice is phenomenal. With the addition of second vocals, the songs actually structure better and the feeling of a complete group takes form. Although Melodic Death Metal really doesn't require two vocalists, that's where this cuts that rule. Tomi, Pasi, and each song goes so smoothly that the album would be utterly destroyed if you made Pasi's voice absent.

Favorites:

Better Unborn

On Rich And Poor

My Kantele

Song Of The Troubled One

Weeper On The Shore

Elegy

Relief

"Better Unborn" shines a very adaptive Middle Eastern tune, which everyone always enjoys. Over a minute later the entire group takes it on again instrumentally, and its quite catchy. Tomi starts doing his part fabulously with those great vocals of his. After this Pasi let's loose what he does best. The lyrics aren't bad either.

"On Rich And Poor" shoots instantly with a solid riff while Tomi performs his duty, with Pasi on entrance afterwards. This song has pure instrumental power in it, full of great folk riffs and solos. Probably the fastest and catchiest at the same time.

"Elegy" is truly the albums masterpiece. Pasi begins amidst the beautiful piano with his voice to touch even space. Very folkish during Esa's solos. This song, as touching as it sounds, is about the loss of a loved one. Tomi performs his last growls on this track, and the piano takes care of the rest. The guitars at the end are wonderful.

While an epic altogether, there is no doubt in saying that Pasi...softened...Amorphis. This is the album, though residing at Amorphis' peak, was more of an experimental album and trailed from the typical Melodic Death sound. This does not go without saying that it is one of the greatest albums ever created in the genre. To me, -Elegy- sits close to Amorphis' previous work -Tales From The Thousand Lakes-. I would strictly recommend picking up both albums for the sole privilege of enjoying them. If you want laden with catch riffs and solos atop great instrumentation and vocals, both albums are necessities.

This album is stunning! The concept is based off of stories of Finish folklore (just as Black Winter Day was). This album continues the transission of this black/death metal band into more of progressive area. This is some of the best prog death metal ever recorded. The songs contain Amorphis' trademark growling vocals and clean black metal vocals, beautiful agressive guitar work and laid back keyboards. I love this album and you will too if you buy this. This, once again, proves that Finland makes the best music.

What an excellent band. This band has intelligent lyrics, and intelligent music. Like opeth, the lead singer's growls are nothing impressive but the clean voice is magnificient. Listen to "The Orphan" for one song that sums up everything Amorphis is about. Amorphis is one more reason that Relapse Records is the best record label known to man. Later, Relapse and Amorphis worshippers.