Amorphis

Amorphis is a Finnish metal band started by Jan Rechberger, Tomi Koivusaari, and Esa Holopainen in 1990. Initially, the band was a death metal act, but on later albums they evolved into playing other types of genres, which include metal, progressive metal, and folk metal. They frequently use the Kalevala, the Epic Poem of Finland, as a source for their lyrics.

History

Formation and early years

In 1989, Jan Rechberger and Esa Holopainen played in a thrash metal band called Violent Solution, which Tomi Koivusaari had left the previous year to form the death metal band Abhorrence. Violent Solution slowly dissolved and Jan Rechberger and Esa Holopainen put together another death metal band. Clarify
During that time, Tomi also performed rhythm guitar, leading to the band dumping all original compositions and starting over again. Why

The Karelian Isthmus and Tales from the Thousand Lakes

Amorphis in 1992 with Jukka Kolehmainen of Abhorrence.
After the band recorded their first studio demo tape, Relapse Records offered Abhorrence a recording contract. Since Abhorrence was no longer active, they sent their own demo in the return mail and got signed to a worldwide recording deal. Soon after getting signed they released their death metal debut, The Karelian Isthmus and later released the Privilege of Evil EP. The EP featured Abhorrence's original vocalist, Jukka Kolehmainen, on vocals on the Abhorrence cover song "Vulgar Necrolatry".

In 1994, Amorphis released their second studio album, Tales from the Thousand Lakes, a concept album based on the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala

. This 1994 release, while still rooted in death metal, was their first step toward a new direction as melodic clean vocals were added, provided by Ville Tuomi. Tales from the Thousand Lakes won the band a fan base thanks to its innovative sound and fusion of death metal with traditional folk, psychedelia, and progressive elements. This album went on to influence the signature Amorphis sound.

Elegy and Tuonela

During the subsequent tours Kasper (keyboards) left the band, to be replaced by Kim Rantala. Jan was replaced by Pekka Kasari (ex-Stone), and a sixth member was recruited, singer Pasi Koskinen. The third album, Elegy was released in 1996. Lyrics were again adapted from Finnish mythology, in this case, the Kanteletar, a collection of ancient folk poetry. Pasi and Tomi shared the vocals on an equal basis, with Pasi's providing only clean parts.

After a year and a half of touring following the release of Elegy, the band members took a time-out. Their next offering, 1999's Tuonela was a mellow guitar album, although toward the end of the studio sessions, Santeri Kallio of Kyyria was brought in to add some keyboard tracks to the songs. New instruments were introduced (Tomi playing sitar in the song "Greed", Sakari Kukko on saxophone and flute providing a foreign accent) and the death growls were reduced, as all vocals were performed by Pasi.Amorphis - Band

The tenth-anniversary compilation Story was produced, and the band experienced another line-up change. Following the breakup of Kyyria, Santeri joined Amorphis as a full-time member. Bassist Oppu was replaced by another ex-Kyyria member, Niclas Etelävuori, to tour with Amorphis on their third U.S. tour.

Am Universum and Far from the Sun

Am Universum was released in 2001, which included more emphases to keyboards and saxophone work, the latter contributed by Sakari Kukko. It was an experimental album and Amorphis' most psychedelic to date. In 2002 the band contributed to the soundtrack for the movie Menolippu Mombasaan. The commissioned piece was a cover version of a 1976 Finnish pop hit "Kuusamo", it is currently the band's only song in their native language.

Amorphis' last album with Relapse Records was Am Universum. In 2003, Relapse released the retrospective Chapters, which included a DVD featuring the band's videos from "Black Winter Day" to "Alone". Far from the Sun was produced by the band itself, which had been rejoined by original drummer Jan Rechberger after Pekka Kasari had quit to concentrate on family duties. Pasi left the band in 2004 after nine years.

Eclipse and Silent Waters

In 2005, Amorphis found a replacement vocalist, Tomi Joutsen of Sinisthra. The band went on a US-tour and focused on new material. Joutsen was able to perform clean vocals as well as death vocals, the band now included death metal elements of their earlier releases with their later period progressive sound. The band recorded and released, Eclipse, the band's seventh album, which achieved gold certification in Finland.www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104284

The band's eighth studio album, Silent Waters, was released on September 3, 2007 debuting at number 44 on the German Media Control chart and achieving gold certification. It is the second album to feature vocalist Tomi Joutsen.

Skyforger and present

Amorphis headlined their first tour in North America in September, supporting their latest album Silent Waters along with supporting acts: Samael and Virgin Black. After they finished touring, Amorphis entered Sonic Pump Studios in November to record the follow-up to their previous Silent Waters album.

The next album Skyforger was released in Finland on 27 May 2009title=Skyforger released, with the rest of Europe following on the 29. and the US on 16 June 2009. As with Eclipse and Silent Waters, Skyforger was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, and includes Marco Hietala on backing vocals.title=Amorphis: New Album Title, Cover Artwork, Track Listing Revealed The Limited Edition digipak version had a mastering problem with two of the tracks upon its original release, but Nuclear Blast soon issued replacement CDs to remedy the problem.

Amorphis has confirmed to be part of the Wacken Open Air tour held in Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany. This is one of the biggest summer heavy metal festivals, including more than 60 bands.

Members

2008.

Current members

Tomi Joutsen – vocals (since 2005)
Esa Holopainen – lead guitar (since 1990)
Tomi Koivusaari – rhythm guitar (since 1990)
Niclas Etelävuori – bass (since 2000)
Santeri Kallio – keyboards (since 1999)
Jan Rechberger – drums (1990-1995, since 2003)

Former members

Pasi Koskinen – vocals (1996–2004)
Olli-Pekka Laine – bass (1992–1999)
Pekka Kasari – drums (1996–2002)
Kim Rantala – keyboards (1994–1998)
Kasper Mårtenson – keyboards (1993–1994)

Discography

Albums

Singles and EPs

Disment of Soul (1991)
Amorphis (1991)
Privilege of Evil (1993)
Black Winter Day (1995)
My Kantele (1997)
Divinity (1999)
Alone (2001)
Day of Your Beliefs (2003)
Evil Inside (2003)
Far From The Sun (2003)
House of Sleep (2005)
The Smoke (2006)
Silent Waters (2007)
Silver Bride (2009)
From The Heaven Of My Heart (2009)

Video clips

Black Winter Day
Against Widows
My Kantele
Divinity
Alone
Evil Inside
House of Sleep
Silent Waters
Silver Bride

Signed Music Artists