Rock Brigade,
December/96 - An Attempted Translation
AMORPHIS - Dark Tales From Finland
Change of style is definitely a challenge to any established band. Specially
in death metal, which public is known for being radical and demanding,
the transition to other musical facets have the same meaning as solding-out
or betraying the movement. However, that doesn't happen with Amorphis.
When this finnish band introduced, in 91, its first demo-tape, Disment
Of Soul, the influences of traditional death metal were obvious. But
with the release of the following albums The Karelian Ishtmus,
Privilege Of Evil (EP) and Tales From The Thousand Lakes,
Amorphis gradually inspired its music on the finnish culture and history,
as death metal didn't reflect anymore the sense of change. After 5 yrs,
they demonstrate their musical improvement with Elegy, an artistic
work with indian melodies, atmospheric keys and psychedelic guitars added
with the aggressivity of the purest metal.
"Our musical preferences really changed along the years", said guitar player
and main composer Esa Holopainen, explaining the reason of the transition
of styles. "Besides, half of the band members are new. Our new keyboarder,
for instance, never had played on a death metal band. He used to play jazz,
soul and funk along with local bands on gigs. Of course we still listen
to heavy metal, but we also listen to folk and progressive music from the
70's. We try to keep our minds open to all musical styles. Our last album,
Tales..., was like a search for the sound we reached on Elegy."
A number of death metal fans will take a while to accept such changes,
but songs as Better Unborn, The Orphan, and Cares prove that
Amorphis didn't change for something under its talent. Even though the
snarled vocals and fast beats are now remains from the past, the feeling
and musicality of Elegy compensate any sign of change, establishing
it as one of the most wonderful works of the 90's. Thus, how Esa analyse
the reaction of the oldest fans?
"Naturally, there are fans that prefer the old songs, but most of our fans
are aware that the band changes, and something new always shows up. The
best feeling is to know the fans from the first album still can consider
the new album our best work. Then, these fans are on the same level as
the band. Still we enjoy our 1st album. Although it's basically death metal,
it reflects pretty much our musical preferences and influences at the time.
We could not make another album alike, because we don't feel the same as
we did then."
After different formations, Amorphis are at the present moment formed by,
besides Esa, Tomi Koivusaari (vocal/guitars/tambourin), Olli-Pekka Laine
(bass), Kim Rantala (keyboard), Pekka Kasari (drums) and Pasi Koskinen
(vocal). This six piece make the most out its instruments in Elegy,
interpreting each song with sound effects, doubled guitars and clean chords.
Consequently, Elegy is the kind of album the listener finds out
a new sounding each time.
"We rehearsed a lot before entering a studio", Esa comments about the band's
musical diversification. "Each Amorphis' member composes and takes care
of its own role. Nobody needs to worry how the other members' are doing.
We trust each other, each one creates its own piece and the result turns
up into the Amorphis style. We're free to do whatever we wish."
Following the tradition of european bands such as Tiamat, Moonspell or
Unleashed, Amorphis takes the inspiration on its country culture to compose.
Specially with Elegy and Tales From The Thousand Lakes, the
mystic melodies are approached by the finnish heritage. How ddi the band
decide to explore its nationality on the artistic expression?
"Traditionally, our culture is pretty much rich and ancient. It has philosophical
and mythological origins, what gave us the idea for Tales.... That
was an interesting and familiar area for the band. These influences were
new in the past, but now there are several bands using elements of the
scandinavian mythology on their lyrics."
In the U.S., for instance, bands use their lyrics against the society and
american government. However, Amorphis gives the finnish culture extreme
value. Elegy's themes, by the way, are based upon the finnish book
The Kantelar. Published on 1840, it brings 700 poems and histories
on the old country's tradition. And prior to that, Amorphis had taken inspiration from the book The Kalevava, to compose the album Tales From The Thousand
Lakes.
"European bands got tired of writing about social bullshit, 'cause that
kind of stuff are found on any newspaper", says Esa. "We always compose
the music first, then the lyrics. Sometimes it's hard to find the words
that goes well with the music. But when we find them, the feeling can be
catched by the people that listen to it."
As the topic is on the relation between Amorphis and its home country,
how does Finland differentiates them from the "mythologic metal" rest?
"There are two elements that give the band originality", says Esa. "The
first is that, due to our musical culture, we use a lot of the finnish
folk to help in our composition. We have been including old melodies from
this musical style. The second is obviously the lyrics context, as we have
poems from the old tradition. But that doesn't mean we are extremist patriotic.
We just want to pass out our feelings", he completes.
(interview
by Daniel Oliveira)
Discography:
The Karelian Isthmus (92), Privilege of Evil (EP/93), Tales From The Thousand
Lakes (94), Black Winter Day (EP/95), Elegy (96).