AMORPHIS
Amorphis remain confident of their choice of musical direction
PRESS
Halo
ATOMIC FIRE
Seasoned Finnish folksters still fighting the good fight
ESTABLISHED BANDS’ LATTER-
DAY musical output can go one of several ways, with a continued evolution or resolutely sticking to a formula being the most common routes. Either is fine, providing the results are worthwhile. From the evidence of their last few records, Amorphis seem happy to follow the second path, having found a unique niche with their fusion of styles. 2018’s Queen Of Time certainly threw more caution to the wind with its implementation of sax and ever-more obscure folk melodies, but ultimately it was another triumph of familiarity and excellent songcraft.
Though album 14 is undoubtedly progressively minded, its increased focus on recognisable structures and unashamedly enticing hooks results in a host of anthems that the Finns’ diehard admirers will take enormous delight in. In fact, the intriguing amalgamation of sweeping melodeath, traditional Scandinavian instruments and prog rock tropes has rarely sounded as assured as on Halo. Regal leads and Hammond organ melt away into the gorgeous stripped-back choruses of Northwards, A New Land and the title track, while Windmane’s determined stomp reaches its zenith with battling twin solos on both string and keys.