They have been around for over 30 years and have carved out a deserved niche as one of the most influential and exciting bands in the melodic death metal scene. 2021 saw them release a live album, Live at Helsinki Hall, a recording of their show at the famous venue in late 2019. Since then, Amorphis (Tomi Joutsen, Esa Holopainen, Tomi Koivusaari, Santeri Kallio, Olli-Pekka Laine and Jan Rechberger) have been busily crafting studio album 14 and it’s another delightfully designed and constructed release. “>
On each album Amorphis have progressed through an organic evolution, and Halo is no exception. From opener “Northwards” to the closing ballad “My Name is Night”, this is a release that had quality stamped through it. Blending heavy riffs, symphonic keyboards, cultural sounds and Joutsen’s mix of rough growls and soaring clean vocals, Amorphis once again call on their long-standing lyrical consciousness Pekka Kainulainen who provides the lyrical content as he has since 2007, painstakingly translating archaic Finnish poetry into English to then be adapted into the Finn’s classical storytelling.”>
It’s a relationship that works magically, with the stories that weave their way through the album captivating and enchanting. Eleven songs that are threaded together around a loose theme that is filled with more tales about the mythical North tens of thousands of years ago. Add the input of master producer Jens Bogren to the mix, and it’s no wonder that Halo is likely to feature highly come the end of the 2022.”>
The album opens with “Northwards”, which builds dramatically with strings and keyboards, the tension cut by an eruption of classic Amorphis riffage and a galloping melody. Joutsen quickly demonstrates why his vocal delivery is so well regarded, switching between his bear like growls and smooth clean vocals with ease. It’s a strong opener and contains a lovely change of tempo at the midpoint, dropping the power into a seventies flavoured breakdown that features thick Hammond organ. It’s a delicious alternative with flute fluttering briefly and choral voices ing the throng before returning to a fitting heavier conclusion.
If “Northwards” whets the appetite, things only get better as the album progresses. There’s a style and sound that only Amorphis can bring to the party – it’s a stunning blend of genres underpinned by huge riffs that retain all the metal that you need. “On the Dark Waters” is euphoric, an upbeat tempo that climbs majestically. The band bring in alternative instruments which also add to the overall flavour of the songs. Continue the journey and the delights abound. “Windmane” is a bruiser, the staccato delivery of the verses segueing into more expansive, almost classical soundscapes. The sound is big, bold and inspiring, the music mesmerising and the musicianship stunning. “A New Land” has an unbelievably catchy vibe, with female harmonies adding an extra dimension to the chorus. This is Amorphis on top form.
Yet, don’t be fooled, for underneath all the progressive elements, Amorphis remain a truly solid heavy metal band. The combination of pulverising death metal may not be as immediate as in earlier days, but this will sound massive when finally played live. The riffs cascade relentlessly, the battery of Rechberger’s drumming is unforgiving and the whole feel of the album is immense. It’s uplifting, despite the melancholy that surges through it. Unlike many albums that tend to run out of steam as you head into the second half, Halo improves exponentially. “When the Gods Come” is a blistering track, whilst the pulsing tempo of “Seven Roads Come Together” is as imposing a song as the band have ever delivered. Halo excites at every twist and turn until the very last drops have been wrung from it.
It was hard to see how the band could conclude the trilogy that began with 2015’s Under the Red Cloud and 2018’s Queen of Time but they have managed it. There is nothing to dislike within this release. The pretenders to the various metal crowns continue to circle but whilst the likes of Amorphis deliver music of this quality, why would we want a new coronation any time soon?
Halo is out on 11th February
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