J.J.D.'s Reviews And Interviews Blog: September 2007

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Amorphis - Silent Waters

Amorphis
Silent Waters

Nuclear Blast Records/Riot! Entertainment

Reinvention is the name of the game.

Introducing a new vocalist into a well-established band is never an easy move at the best of times, but in the case of Finnish progressive/folk/melodic metal act Amorphis, the move to replace vocalist Pasi Koskinen with Tomi Joutsen in 2005 was not only a successful one, but a very smart one, with their seventh album “Eclipse” (Released in 2006) one their more inspired and well received releases in many years. Obviously still inspired with their new line-up, Amorphis (Who comprise of vocalist Tomi Joutsen, rhythm guitarist Tomi Koivusaari, lead guitarist Esa Holopainen, bassist Niclas EtelÃ¤vuori, keyboardist Santeri Kallio and drummer Jan Rechberger) are back with their eighth release “Silent Waters”, marking a mere eighteen months between albums.

In a lot of ways, the ten tracks on “Silent Waters” aren't too far removed from the template laid down by 1999's Tuonela and the band successive releases. But that's not to say that the Finns' new album sounds like a collection of leftovers, as “Silent Waters” (Which is once again based on an episode from the Kalevala) sees Amorphis take a step beyond what “Eclipse” offered up, while remaining true to their unique sound from the past.

The opening track “Weaving The Incantation” is a bombastic mix of heavy riffs and acoustic passages, Joutsen's dual clean and death metal vocals, subtle organ backing and huge harmonic guitar solos, which inevitably makes the song the perfect way to introduce “Silent Waters”. The hard-edged and rocking follow-up numbers “A Servant” and the title track “Silent Waters” (Which is the first single and promotional video clip lifted from the album) continue the same heavy direction of “Weaving The Incantation”, while the brooding “Towards And Against” starts out with some heavy guitar work and some impressive death growls from Joutsen, before breaking free with a huge uplifting chorus that is as impressive as it is memorable.

“I Of Crimson Blood” is certainly one of the more dynamic and epic sounding numbers from the band this time around, with the piano giving the song a melancholy feel that perfectly compliments the subdued guitar work, while slower paced “Her Alone” is a credit to Joutsen's ability to deliver real emotion. On the folk front, the acoustic driven “Enigma” is a huge anthem that is nothing short of a masterpiece, while the mid paced “Shaman”, the darker and twisted “The White Swan” and “Black River” (Which is a warped sense reminds me of “Love Over Gold” era Dire Straits at the beginning) finish off the album in a strong manner.

“Silent Waters” is a huge reinvention for Amorphis over Eclipse, but it is Amorphis at their strongest and most inspired in years, easily making this their first classic since “Tuonela”.