24-11-2007 Amorphis

Support: Insomnium; Venue: Bibelot, Dordrecht(Netherlands)
By: Elvira Visser

  Insomnium had the task to open this evening, there were many people to see these
  bands and the vibe in the venue was good. Insomnium is a Finnish band, just
  like the other two bands that evening and it promised to become a Finnish metal
  party. Insomnium succeeded in getting the audience going and make them ready
  for the other two bands. Insomnium has a nice power in their songs, a great
  combination of both Swallow the Sun and Amorphis mixed together. Quite some
  people where throwing their arms in the air and were singing along. They only
  played thirty minutes, that was maybe a little to short, but they did leave
  a good impression.

  The second band to enter the stage was Swallow the Sun. I think this band did
  not get that much recognition. The audience was a bit dull just watching what
  was happening not sure if they would like it. For me this was different, I knew
  Swallow the Sun and quite enjoyed the gig. Although Swallow the Sun had played
  in the area before, they seemed quite new to many people. Their music is a bit
  heavier and more growling and grunting instead of clean vocals. Both Insomnium
  and Amorphis have a different approach to melodic metal. Swallow the Sun has
  those melodic parts for sure but maybe packed in more heavier metal. The song
  “Swallow” is one of my favourites and they played this song at the
  end, here you can clearly hear that they also have great melodic parts. I love
  the drums from Pasi Pasanen, they sometimes sound a bit chaotic. I mean that
  a lot is happening on that drum kit but it fits the music and, accompanying
  with the melodic parts it is the strength of this band.

  Finally, for some people in the crowd, it was time for Amorphis. The musicians
  took their places, started to play and got applause, but when Tomi joined them,
  arms wherewere in the air all over and it was clear that this was what the people
  came for. They started of with “I of Crimson Blood” from the new album
  Silent Waters and you could see many people sing along, and it did not stop
  there. They played a high amount of older songs, which the audience seemed to
  appreciate. Such as: “Sign from the North Side” and “My Kantele”.
  Tomi Joutsen proved once again that he can also sing the earlier songs of Amorphis,
  from before he joined the band. What was really great was that Mikko Kotamäki,
  from Swallow the Sun joined for one song, and this was just some pure power
  on stage. Two guys growling from their little toes. Just one word: Amazing.
  Yeah definitely one of the highlights of this evening.

  They really got the crowd going and cheering for them and Tomi Joutsen knows
  how to get them to do anything he asks, like screaming or throwing arms in the
  air. The audience really seemed to enjoy this gig as much as I did and not only
  us but also the band seemed the enjoy it. Big grins on their face, especially
  Santeri, the keyboard player who was a little hidden in the dark but you could
  see his smiling face all the time. It is really hard to say which songs I like
  best this evening, I have my favourites like “Against Widows” and
  “Alone” which they both played but other songs were just as great
  and the encore was brilliant. Three great songs of Amorphis history, the perfect
  way to end their show. They really pleased me this evening with so many different
  songs from different albums.

  Amorphis is really a band that knows the right balance between melodies and
  metal interwoven with beautifully written lyrics with a great stage act. It
  is fascinating to look at Tomi’s dreads while he is head banging but also Tomi
  Holopainen, Esa and Niclas are moving around on stage, building a little party.