AMORPHIS The Beginning Of Times - 2011 German vinyl 2-LP, 180 gram limited edition double blue vinyl
Format: Vinyl Condition: New Year of Release: 2011 Cat. No.: NB2674LP Label: Nuclear Blast
Deluxe 180 gram limited edition double BLUE vinyl.
REVIEW:
Two years after the brilliant release of 'Skyforger', Amorphis is finally back with a new album. And what an album this is! I don't want to sound like a fan-boy but the beauty and quality of the music that these guys create is undeniable.
Although a logical step and in the same spirit of 'Skyforger', 'The Beginning of Time' is by no chance a repetition as it has a lot of new things to offer. Tomi Joutsen sounds as confident as ever and performs with great emotion and power. The growls appear a bit more often on this album and sometimes you get the feeling of 'Skyforger' intersecting with the bands' back catalogue (the album 'Elegy' could be an example). Also, for the first time we get a more extensive use of female vocals (backing up a nice melody or a refrain, perfectly complementing Tomi's vocals).
All songs are very memorable, heavy and melodic, catchy but deep. As always, there are excellent intros, heavy riffs, amazing melodies and great solos (with the distinct sweet sound of Esa Holopainen), beautiful piano parts, acoustic guitars, etc. It is certainly a majestic album which marks a new beginning for the band!
Overall, I would say that the album is slightly heavier compared to 'Skyforger' without lacking the catchiness, the quality and the inspiration. There are thousands of good bands out there but very few have their own distinctive sound and personality. This is what makes Amorphis an amazing band and not just an ordinary good band. Definitely in my top 3 of 2011!
Review by Fotis P.
TRACK LISTING:
A1 Battle For Light A2 Mermaid A3 My Enemy
B1 You I Need B2 Song Of The Sage B3 Three Words
C1 Reformation C2 Soothsayer C3 On A Stranded Shore C4 Escape
D1 Crack In A Stone D2 Beginning Of Time D3 Heart's Song
