29 March 2024
Amorphis - Under The Red Cloud

Amorphis – Under The Red Cloud

[schema type=”review” name=”Amorphis – Under The Red Cloud” description=”Label: Nuclear Blast” author=”Basak Günel” pubdate=”2015-09-04″ ]

A band like Amorphis needs no introduction. The Finnish legends are back with a brand new album called “Under The Red Cloud”.

Amorphis has always surprised me with each album from the beginning until today. Surely, they have this authentic sound that every fan kinda knows about but no one can tell what type of sound they will deliver with each album and that makes the whole anticipation a lot more interesting. Especially after the release of the previous record “Circle” (2013), I wasn’t sure in which direction the band was gonna go; I loved the whole concept of “Circle” but I knew Amorphis could have done much better so I wouldn’t be lying if I say that I have had high expectations from “Under The Red Cloud” ; was the band gonna repeat their sound (again) or were we going to hear a different Amorphis?

From the first song, we experience an improved and ‘progressive’ side of Amorphis and this is already an indication that the band has taken a different direction with their sound without losing their essence and character. This aspect and that diversity of the progressive sound has fit to the album’s sound so well; a great example of this is the song “Enemy at the Gates”. I couldn’t help but recognize a little bit of Opeth influence in the song, which I loved! Another element that is spread throughout the record is those oriental/ethnic melodies that are featured in most of the songs; this was surely obvious from the first single “Death of A King” and even from the album artwork!

Apart from the progressive sound and oriental/ethnic melodies, the listeners will experience even more! Songs like “Tree of Ages”, “The Four Wise Ones” and “Winter’s Sleep” show us the folk-ish side of the band, connecting us to the great Finnish nature! All in all, let’s not forget that the band collaborated with Chrigel Glanzmann (ELUVEITIE), Martin Lopez (ex-OPETH) and Aleah Stanbridge (TREES OF ETERNITY) for this album so diversity is there for sure and this makes the album much more colorful!

As a fan of (also) the experimental/progressive side of Amorphis, I gotta say that I loved the record! There were even some surprising elements to hear. Sure, this album might not satisfy every Amorphis fan (especially the ones who want the ‘old Amorphis’ back) but give the album a listen, you won’t regret it!

Line-up:
Tomi Joutsen – vocals
Esa Holopainen – lead guitars
Niclas Etelävuori – bass
Tomi Koivusaari – rhythm guitars
Santeri Kallio – keyboards
Jan Rechberger – drums

Amorphis - Under The Red Cloud Tracklist:
01. Under The Red Cloud
02. The Four Wise Ones
03. Bad Blood
04. The Skull
05. Death of a King
06. Sacrifice
07. Dark Path
08. Enemy at the Gates
09. Tree of Ages
10. White Night
11. Come the Spring (Bonus Track)
12. Winter’s Sleep (Bonus Track)

Links:
Amorphis Facebook
Amorphis Official