Amorphis!

September 25, 2024

Amorphis!

This week's WMW is more like an AAWD!! As in ALL-AMORPHIS-WEDNESDAY-DUDE!! And how could it not be? Amorphis, along with the incredibly talented Dark Tranquility are coming to make our ears bleed at the CABOOZE THIS SATURDAY! LIVE!! OMFG! I'm not even sure if I can mentally prepare myself for this! It's like HONEST TRUE AMORPHIS!! FINALLY!! I've never seen them live, and assumed honestly I may never. It seemed like every tour they started would skip over the Wisconsin area... FOREVER! But as luck would have it, we're finally going! YAY!! Back in 2020, right before the evils known as COVID-19 hit, they had announced a Tales of a Thousand Lakes tour, and there was a Milwaukee date, that I penciled in! Super excited for it, but as you'd remember, and likely still feel the affects from... That show was cancelled. BUT NOW HERE WE ARE!!

I fell in love with Amorphis in 1995, and absolutely disliked any growling or harsh vocals in music prior to that. I mean, imagine that- it just never grew on me. I couldn't understand why anyone would want to listen to Cookie Monster screaming in terror while trying to enjoy a song. But, Amorphis changed all of that. The music wasn't just trying to scare anyone away, it was making a terribly beautiful symphony with equal parts scary and mesmerizing. The harsh vocals were just a piece of the musical puzzle and I would become enamored with all of their work.

Tales from the Thousand Lakes was my gateway drug into symphonic death metal and inspired acts like Opeth or Children of Bodom. I needed more immediately after hearing just a few songs. Here are two perfect examples of the earliest Amorphis had to offer:

In the Beginning - https://youtu.be/VASHM76NqKg?si=M4Lc2O6ao6NZXrZi (ITB has some of the best guitars I've ever heard. I love the build, the climax and the slow to speedy progression. Like a beast from the depths waking up and chasing you! Fucking stellar! and THIS IS 1992!!)

Black Winter Day - https://youtu.be/9iDf6wDlGkY?si=0MdDJieBD6Wglq_H It's great, the one song everyone points to as the best 90's death metal. At least all the cool kids do!

Somewhere towards the late 90s/ early 2000s Amorphis too went through a more calmer era where growling and shrieks seemed like a thing of the past. Their music went through a prog phase of sorts. Still good, but kind of crazy when you think of their origins and their more recent work (still to come!) Reminds you bit of someone else eh? COUGH OPETH!

Crimson Wave - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNbzUqFahBI (What is this Dream Theater?)

My Kantele - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hld-g6DTf4Y (Acoustic n' everything) Yeah, they were riding this more chill atmospheric wave until like 2010)

Their more recent work is like a blend of everything they've learned in the 32 years of being together creating music! And they're amazing. Every album they produce is so impressive! Here are a couple more examples from the last 5 years! ❤️

On the Dark Waters - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8aH5HVx_0c (Absolute fullest the band has ever sounded! The balance of harsh to clean vocals is incredible!)