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Rating:
Fantasy.
It's what comes to mind when listening to these five tracks created by the Finnish Amorphis in 1997 as a follow-up to the valuable and seminal "Elegy". In fact, the more pronounced progressive aspect is highlighted and amplified in a way that our predecessors never accustomed us to.
With all references to death outbursts gone, we are faced with highly unpredictable tracks characterized by the use of the new singer Koskinen, with Koivusaari relegated to the role of rhythm guitarist. Introduced by the out-take "My Kantele" from "Elegy", we are transported into dreamy atmospheres by this wonderful folk ballad, where Pasi's delicate voice intertwines with classic guitars and a delightful Hammond. All marked by prog-flavored drumming, driving but with very soft touches. Truly skillful is the performance of Pekka Kasari, famous for his acrobatic "turns" in the fellow thrashers Stone.
The following "The brother-slayer" and "The lost son" reveal themselves to be twins both in lyricism (originating from Kanteletar) and in musical proposal. The first delights us with soft arpeggios, atmospheric keys and a very "easy" chorus, highly melodic and effective. Epicity dueting with seventies-style prog-rock for a combination full of genuine originality. The second, entirely instrumental, continues the ethereal-symphonic approach, enriches itself with grand class Floydian solos, accentuates the melancholic aspect in their sound and reveals a surprising (but not too much) technical skill.
The last two tracks are covers of the progsters Hawkwind and the Finnish Kingston Wall, respectively. Testifying to the band's love for experimentation, they are performed here with originality, grit, and energy. Interesting is the growl-clean combination in "And i hear you call" (Kingston Wall) and the lively guitar harmonies in "Levitation" (Hawkwind). This short work will serve to introduce Helsinki combo fans to the radical changes that will make them unique, but also highly criticized and abandoned by extreme metal fans.
Precious and classy.
Tracklist and Lyrics
04 Levitation (05:52)
[Hawkwind cover]
In the darkness I will shine, cast no shadows, not define
I walk on water, float on air, there's no other to compare
I have this fascination, no cause for deviation
It's called levitation
There's no cause to start and scream, nor rub your eyes,
This is no dream
Although I sit upon this chair, I rise and float up in the air
I have this fascination, no cause for deviation
It's called levitation
Magnetic force, repel-attract, once it starts, there's no turning back
I offer you this chance to learn, take it now there's no return
05 And I Hear You Call (04:40)
I must be out of my mind as I hear you call
My name is even though I can't see you anywhere
Surely this feeling is coming from something
Someone gave me yesterday as I searched for you
And I hear you call
I hear you call my name
But when I turn around
There's nothing to be found
I must be dreaming a dream of a lunatic
My fingers taste like some strawberry icecream
I hear you call my name but I don't think it's
the same I heard you whisper in my ear
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