Again, the darkness has descended over the Northern lands, as the avowed painters of Finnish melancholy and fire released their eighth full length work at the end of summer last year. After 2006's fiery and spry 'Eclipse', the band lapsed into more melancholic mood. However, 'Silent Waters' is far from "silent".

'Eclipse' introduced the vocalist Tomi Joutsen, whose entry brought new life into this old stale being. After the 1999 album 'Tuonela', Amorphis took a more rocking shape, but unlike it then usually happens, it made the band sound weary. On 'Silent Waters' the band have branched out more than ever before on any of their works, although you'll definitely hear no death metal herewithin. The lyrics have a theme, based on Kalevala-inspired poetry of Pekka Kainulainen, and this explains the mood swings and the spectrum of musical styles. 'Weaving the Incantation' is a stout and sinister opener, traveling into 'Elegy' era (1996). A straight 'A Servant' sounds soFinnish and pretty much 'Tales from Thousand Lakes' (1994) style stuff. The title track is full of agony yet angered. Simple and rocking, almost danceable at times 'Towards and Against' includes some electric beeps, making it very different from the rest of the album. 'I of Crimson Blood' represents more epic side of the band. Beautiful 'Her Alone' carries so mesmerising melodies, that I have to lift it as my favourite song here. It is like a song for one's dearest person, so soul touching it is. 'Enigma' is a folky, semi-acoustic tune, finely showing another side of the band. Come on, all gather around the campfire now! 'Shaman' continues the story by adding some Mid-Eastern prog rock flavours. 'The White Swan' is a more dramatic piece, having a feel of anxiety. 'Black River' ends the album a very Finnish way, being a power balladish song, even at times reminding me of Yö! Well, just much, much better, hehe. Digipak's bonus track 'Sign' (continuing the story) is a chirpy one in 'Elegy' way, with some double kick drums and acoustic guitars, plus some "fists up high" vocal parts. Most of the compositions came from lead guitarist Esa Holopainen and keyboardist Santeri Kallio. Rhythm guitarist Tomi Koivusaari made two of the songs, and the bonus track came from Mr. Joutsen. This alone does not explain the amorphous nature of the music, because each guy came up with so different songs, but it feels that their insruments play a main role in their own songs. Even though all the varying, still this holds together as one piece.

Mr. Joutsen mainly signs with his clear voice, but still stretching it into various, required moods, even more so than previously. Some growls are heard, too, but this time only during more aggressive moods. Backing vocals, sometimes a bit too "Eurovision-ish" (e.g. on 'Towards...'), are provided as such luminaries as Nightwish's Marco Hietala, Tanya "Lilith" of Soulgrind etc., and P.J. Goodman (e.g. Virtuocity and Conquest). All you Marco fans won't hear him very clear, I'm afraid... Tanya gets more space on a few songs. Insrumentalists might be self-learned (just my quess), but the band sound just so fluid. They are one. The production job is magnificent with its fullness. Talk about prefection... Cover art is one of the best achievements from Travis Smith, to tell the truth, perfect visions for the story.

Amorphis continue to be amorphous, they decline to stay the same on every album. That is the forte of Amorphis, albeit they've strayed a bit too far once or twice (many say they've strayed way too far right after their debut album, but maybe these death-heads learn some day...). 'Silent Waters' require more from a listener than many previous Amorphis platters, probably since 'Tuonela'. So, take it more like a story, not just another album. Be open, and let 'Silent Waters' work as a guide for a fantastic journey.

Rating: 8½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
02/09/2008 13:23