There is a lot of good albums but it’s never enough, so when a good album is released, it is always a big thing. When a good album released by established, well-respected and experienced artist, its no less a thing, like it happened with the newest longplay from Paradise Lost. Finnish masters Amorphis blend death metal, melody, folk and prog since 1990 and made it masterfully, focusing on various elements of their music. However, here is the situation: the band’s upcoming album Borderland is good but the main describing word for this album will be “ambivalence”.
Now, we have a perfectly engineered and mixed album, melodic and catchy. You will listen to it repeatedly and a couple of songs will get in your playlists. Also, without doubt, it is Amorphis album with the great mix of elements or even genres: the definitely recognizable opener “Circle” shows it from the first notes. “Bones”, probably the heaviest song on the album, with plenty of growl vocals and catchy keyboard solo reminds Queen Of Time era, while progressive “The Lantern” has a lot of dynamic changes and mixes a lot of elements but in the end becomes one cohesive and emotionally deep piece. Slow-paced “Tempest”, in its turn, reveals the folk-ish aspect of the band, remaining atmospheric and emotional. It is interesting to listen to these songs, immersing into the layers of music and finding something you’ve missed when you listened to it at the first time.
[youtube youtubeurl=”dnSjYxh5yHM” ][/youtube]However, it’s not exactly Amorphis we expected (ambivalence, remember?), if we’re talking about sound, arranging and the whole production. “Dancing Shadow”, one of the first released singles, is pretty simple by its structure and extremely catchy – can’t say how many times I’ve listened to it – but it’s a modern metal thing. Well, according to guitarist Esa Holopainen, “Its working title was “Disco Tiger”. The song is packed with hooks and familiar Amorphis catchiness, but with a modern twist. I can imagine it lighting up a metal dancefloor!” Oh, what do I know? Same can be largely said about “Light And Shadow”; I admit, it’s more cinematic and there is some great arranges but still it’s a huge step towards simplicity and accessibility.
[youtube youtubeurl=”WpSNEY9mfPg” ][/youtube]Even the vocals interplay between emotional clean and heavy growling, which is a significant Amorphis thing, seems like it was added as a concept, like a symbolic meeting of a father and son between two worlds in self-titled “Borderland”. And maybe the closer “Despair” with its darkness and the whole atmosphere of fading and winter reminds one more time that it’s still Amorphis, with the epic orchestral final part.
Well, maybe it was the producer thing – Jacob Hansen (Arch Enemy, Amaranthe) was managing the record, or the band decided to make the music less heavy to gain some new fans? I don’t know and it’s not my business, actually, but the keyboard-based songs with some guitars instead of heavy riffs speak for themselves. “It’s more accessible than Halo and has a modern and fresh feel — yet completely true to who we are,” tells drummer Jan Rechberger; “After three and half decades, we still follow our instincts,” echoes guitarist Tomi Koivusaari “And honestly, Borderland might be the most Amorphis-sounding album we’ve ever made.” And you know what? I believe them.
[youtube youtubeurl=”8aF80ycx5JQ” ][/youtube]But while I was listening to Borderland countless times, I had that one intrusive thought I couldn’t get rid of: if this album was released by some other band, it will be a great album, period. However, when it comes from such band like Amorphis, you always expect some, let’s say, heritage. A new music, new approach and experiments are always great but when it comes with some reflection on a considerable legacy.
Many will love this album, and there is plenty of reasons to love it. And I love it too. But when I read again and again the band’s name, I have some mixed feelings. This is ambivalence we (don’t) deserve.
Borderland will be released on September, 26th via Reigning Phoenix Music.
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