Amorphis — Am Universum

After losing half of their death-metal fanbase and winning new fans in the prog-rock scene withtheir last album 'Tuonela', Amorphis are back with a new album which is the logical evolutionof said album. After they released the folky 'Elegy' album where they got rid of most of their death-metal roots except the grunts, Amorphis released 'Tuonela' in 1998, a simple album, stripped from all the special effects what made 'Elegy' a favourite among their fans. Still'Tuonela' is a solid release. The songs are really well written and the removal of the grunts on the album (except one song) are the best thing they could do. I always found the grunts annoying on 'Elegy', they didn´t fit with the rest of the music. And now Amorphis comes with their latest effort 'Am Universum', a logical continuation...

Nothing new under the horizon, Amorphis just do what they do good, they make heavy catchy music with a lot of seventies influences. The 'Hammond' organ is here again, the psychedelic soundand this time they even used the saxophone in more songs. The vocals sound half metal, half seventies-rock, and this counts for most of the music too. You can still feel the metal heavyness in most of the songs, but you will also think of summer music festivals, in the open air with a lot of friends and trippy mushrooms. I will even go as far to say that I hear some stoner rock influences in the music. A bit like 'Spiritual Beggars' maybe.

The album starts with the song 'Alone', which is also one of the best tracks on the album and the first single. A really catchy song with a great refrain and some perfect playing by the band. The next stand-out track is 'Shatters Within', which could become the second single if it was up to me. Again catchy as hell, just like 'Crimson Wave', which is the first song with the saxophone in it. I always love the saxophone as an intrument in my music, it adds a great atmosphere and it isn´t used a lot yet. The whole song has a 'jazzy' atmosphere, which is due to the saxophone but also to the perfect keyboard parts, great track. 'Forever More' and 'Veil of Sin' are both two great tracks, especially the latterone which might become one of my all-time favourite Amorphis tracks. Also with some great saxophone parts and a cool refrain.

At first I found it a bit hard to get into this album. But after listening to it a couple of times I must say that I am impressed by the band. They did it again, they made a perfect album with great tracks and perfectly played instruments. Amorphis could be 'the' festival band this summer since this material would do great live. I like it, I like it, I love it!