Amorphis - Circle (2013)

I'm sure in bit of disadvantages from never really listening to Amorphis music. Their huge past with twist of crossing genre CV, is important background information needed to understand Amorphis. But, I think fans of Amorphis some will interested to know how a new listener receiving Amorphis music. So now here we got, the 11th studio album of Amorphis, entitled Circle. The first information given is the album not following some of their previous work regarding producer in charge, Circle is produced by new guy Peter Tagtgreen, instead of Marco Hietala (of Nightwish). Circle also no more based its lyric to Finnish national epic Kalevala, but to original story now. The music, in overall I will describe as epic metal, mostly medium pace tempo, folk elements, a bit of doom-ish or atmospheric effect due to its slow tempo song. When I compared to their past song I sampled, it is clear that in  Amorphis, the morphed of their musical direction is best to be treated as discontinuity work, as they seems to versatility changed styles all the time.

Shades of Gray is quickly met the term of doom-ish, one-two guitar riff chops that comes with heavy throat vocal. The inclusion of folk melody theme in the break down melody will be their trade mark carry over in the few next songs. Mission is in strong connection with Shades of Gray when it's come with the folk melody intro. The Wanderer is even a greater improved version of loop effect melody, utilized in the intro. Both song are still in medium pace tempo. Anything that comes with flute in the metal song is interesting point, so here Narrow Path is folk metal tunes, completely comes with epic riff. Hopeless Days is heavier than anything before, the drumming is fast double pedal, then the piano break make this song a combination of doom, progressive, and folk metal altogether. Nightbird's Song comes with almost Iron Maiden-esque intro, then this is the song with most heavier melodic death feel. Into the Abyss is started calm intro, evolved into progressive groove song. Enchanted by the Moon? Remind me of Paradise Lost in their gothic era, this is very atmospheric death metal song. A New Day is the last song, the last chance of getting yourself to be overwhelmed with shower of distortion in the intro, but the song is in clean voice, perhaps Amorphis' style in singing a ballad. There are still bonus tracks but yet it is in the same vibe to the core track of the album.

This is surely not easy album to grab. It's potential lie to multiple listening so that all the hypnotizing loop melody, constant drum will sink into the subconsciousness of mind, then we will able to follow this album. The album is exhausting wide - open air feel. Amorphis seems excel in creating this atmospheric effect. No catchy metal riff to immediately make us fall in love. The folk pentatonic scale inserted here and there is a remedy to the desperate doom-ish distortion shower. It's a steady performance, a works with many thought given. Reading and listening to all their past glory, I think Amorphis is the band for serious listener who have enough time to spend in listening the music intensively. If you in all for adventure, this is the album to get.

Metal Harem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Amorphis - Circle (2013)
buy it here

1. Shades of Gray
2. Mission
3. The Wanderer
4. Narrow Path
5. Hopeless Days
6. Nightbird's Song
7. Into the Abyss
8. Enchanted by the Moon
9. A New Day
10. Dead Man's Dream (Bonus Track)

Jan Rechberger Drums, Keyboards
Esa Holopainen Guitars (lead)
Tomi Koivusaari Guitars (rhythm) 
Santeri Kallio Keyboards
Niclas Etelävuori Bass
Tomi Joutsen Vocals

Amorphis new 2013 album Circle, album review