Artist description A mix of 70's progressive rock, modern metal and medieval folk-song.

Music Style metal with folk, progressive and traditional influences

Musical Influences Slayer, Deep Purple, Jethro Tull, Metallica, Entombed, King Crimson, Hawkwind, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Morbid Angel

Similar Artists Anathema, Paradise Lost, Tiamat, Jethro Tull, Deep Purple

Artist History Taking their name from the word “amorphous,” meaning ”no determinate form or shape”, Finland’s most creative and acclaimed metal band have certainly lived up to their name during the course of the 1990’s. By animating elements of 70’s progressive rock, modern metal and medieval folk-song, AMORPHIS succeed in elevating themselves above existing trends in music. The originating duo of guitarist/creative center Esa Holopainen, drummer Jan Rechberger, vocalist/guitarist Tomi Koivusaari and bassist Olli-Pekka Laine recorded their only demo in mid-1991 which quickly led to a deal with Relapse Records. AMORPHIS immediately recorded six songs, two of which were released as a limited edition 7” EP. The band expanded their underground following by releasing their debut album The Karelian Isthmus, which was recorded at the (now) infamous Sunlight Studios. Venturing even further into their progressive death metal sound, the band unveiled the amazing Tales From The Thousand Lakes in 1994. A critically-acclaimed metal masterpiece, Tales... celebrated the band’s rich Finnish history by deriving lyrics from the Finnish national pole book, the Kalevala. Also recorded at Sunlight Studios, Tales From The Thousand Lakes showed Amorphis fusing elements of traditional heavy metal, doom, death metal and progressive rock, crafting an album that stunned not only the band’s own followers, but the entire metal underground, with sales of the album surpassing 100,000 units worldwide. Even today, Tales... continues to be an obvious influence on many metal acts. AMORPHIS toured the European continent several times with such acts as PARADISE LOST and TIAMAT and, in late 1994, visited American shores for the first time, touring with ENTOMBED. Keyboardist Kim Rantala joined AMORPHIS, solidifying the line-up. 1995 brought with it the Black Winter Day EP, featuring the title track and three unreleased tracks from the Tales... sessions. The EP held hungry fans over while the band took a short rest before writing and recording their third full-length epic, the jaw-dropping Elegy.Where their prior works astounded, AMORPHIS transcended all expectations with Elegy, an eleven-song journey into lush keyboard atmospheres, psychedelic guitar tones and an array of vocal deliveries summoned by both Tomi and the now-permanent “clean” vocalist Pasi Koskinen. Elegy also showcased the work of a new drummer, Pekka Kasari. Elegy featured lyrical inspirations from another classic piece of Finnish literature, the Kanteletar, a book comprised of nearly 700 poems and ballads based on Finnish traditions that have been passed on by word of mouth from generation to generation. The Kanteletar is based on everyday life, including Finnish philosophical and religious beliefs, and Amorphis created a spellbinding work of progressive rock/metal anthems based on the book’s legend and lore. With vivid cover artwork incorporating ancient Finnish symbols, Elegy traversed many musical paths and conjured a variety of moods, confirming the band’s status as respected innovators, with sales of the record again climbing to 100,000 plus. The mini-CD (and Elegy extension) My Kantale surfaced in 1997, continuing the Elegy saga. Featuring the two-part saga The Brother-Slayer and the awe-inspiring lead guitar/keyboard interplay of Esa and Kim, My Kantale mined the progressive and melodic veins brought to light within Elegy. Amazing interpretations of Kingston Wall’s And I Hear You Call and Levitation by space rock mavens Hawkwind completed My Kantele, and thus turned another page in the brilliant saga of Amorphis. In the two year span following, the band parted ways with keyboardist Kim as they prepared material for their next release. Enter 1999. Finland’s metal visionaries have returned with an astounding collection of richly textured metal anthems that reflect a further progression of their unique sound and vision!! AMORPHIS’ seventh recording for the Relapse label, the eclectically powerful Tuonela is, unquestionably, the recording that will see AMORPHIS rising above even previous plateaus, to deliver incredibly moving and undeniably unforgettable songs that will ensconce themselves in the listener’s musical memory and refuse to let go. Produced by Simon Eferney (PARADISE LOST), Tuonela adds a touch of sublime darkness to the band’s always entrancing melodies. The enticing keyboard work on Tuonela was handled by session-player Santeri Kaltio and additional instrumentation including flute, sitar and saxophone further intensifies the experience. From the stunning opener The Way through the immensely powerful closing track Summer’s End, Tuonela magnificently blends the metal roots of AMORPHIS with an undeniable sophistication of style and talent, resulting in this crowning achievement of progressive splendor!!

Group Members Pasi Koskinen -vox, Tomi Koivusaari -rythmn guitar + sitar, Esa Holopainen -lead + acoustic, Olli-Pekka Laine -bass, Pekka Kasari -drums + percussion, Santeri Kallio -keyboards

Instruments electric & acoustic guitars, bass, sitar, drums, various percussion, flute, keyboards, saxophone

Albums s/t (7"), Karelian Isthmus, Tales From The Thousand Lakes, Privelege Of Evil, Black Winter Day (mcd), Elegy, My Kantele mcd, Tuonela, Divinity/Northern Lights (import mcd)

Press Reviews "With Elegy, Amorphis have created a record that transcends all genres of heavy music" Gallery Of Sound"..they unmistakably are, one of the few outfits that fuses tradition with a vision of the future, giving the genre a talent to embrace and a reason to be proud." -Metal Edge" Amorphis also show that they can rock to the fullest extent without losing any of their integrity. Tuonela is a multi-faceted, colourful amalgamation of extreme melodies that have such a soothing grasp with a psychedelic vibe so alluring that you are destined to be enraptured." Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles

Additional Info the band recorded "Light My Fire" by The Doors which appeared on the limited edition german digi-pak pressing of "Tales From The Thousand Lakes" "Tuonela" hit #1 on the CMJ loud rock radio chart

Location Helsinki - Finland

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