AMORPHIS “Halo” /2LP/

Embroidered bordered woven patch.

75x50mm 

First re-release of the eighth full-length studio album by legendary Finnish Melodic Folk/Gothic Metal band.
After the release of the very good "Far From The Sun" in 2003, AMORPHIS faced the very difficult task of finding the proper replacement for Pasi Koskinen behind the microphone. Koskinen had already linked his voice with the band's second era after the prime Doom/Death Metal releases through the early 90s. This era was quite successful for the Finnish sextet and was characterized by albums like "Elegy", "Tuonela" and "Far From The Sun" that had distinct Gothic Metal additions. After many auditions, the band chose Tomi Joutsen as the new singer, who made his debut album appearance two years before, in "Eclipse". Although the album was pretty good, it raised some complaints, saying that Amorphis have chosen a more commercial sound and drifted further from their past works. "Silent Waters" clear away all the clouds of doubt that were gathered around Tomi Joutsen voice and performance in "Eclipse". The band had to search inside and bring some sounds from the old days for the new album.
The lyrics are English translations of Finnish poems written by poet Pekka Kainulainen, who wrote them based on the character of Lemminkäinen in the Kalevala.
Amorphis has gone through many changes and have progressed into a friendly territory on "Silent Waters". The songs here are accessible and very melodic, even when compared to albums like "Elegy" and "Tales From The Thousand Lakes". The band still has a distinctly Folk flavour, but doesn't have nearly as many Death Metal-influenced passages as they had in the past. The result is an album that is crystal clear, addictive and heart-warming.
Once again, Amorphis are over the top creative. The two sides of the band, light and dark, fusion perfectly on this melancholic and intense output! "Silent Waters" is one of Amorphis' stronger efforts, and it's recommended to any and all Metal fans!!
In February 2008, the record was certified gold in Finland, having sold over 15,000 units.
Nuclear Blast Records, 2007/2018 (27361 44171 | NB 4417-1). Made in Germany. 45 RPM.


Tracklist:
Side a
1. Weaving The Incantation 4:57
2. A Servant 3:55
3. Silent Waters 4:50
Side b
1. Towards And Against 4:59
2. I Of Crimson Blood 5:05
Running time: 23:46 min.

Side c
1. Her Alone 6:02
2. Enigma 3:35
3. Shaman 4:56
Side d
1. The White Swan 4:50
2. Black River 3:49
3. Sign 4:34
Running time: 27:46 min.

Total playing time: 51:32 min.

The fourth re-release of the second full-length studio album by legendary Finnish Progressive/Folk/Gothic Melodic Death/Doom Metal band.
"Tales From The Thousand Lakes" is a concept album based on the Finnish national epic, Kalevala. The album was an influential release in the development of the Melodic Death Metal genre, predominantly mixing the genre with Death/Doom and Gothic Metal, compared to the band's Death Metal debut. The album's song structures are considered to be progressive. The album also has elements of Psychedelic music and Folk music. The music is considered to be less extreme than other Melodic Death Metal releases, incorporating Heavy Metal singing in addition to Death Metal growls on some tracks. The instrumentation draws from Neo-Prog. This showcases a more melodic sound for the band, with hints at their later, more Progressive direction. The album also introduced synthesizers and clean vocals to the band's sound, though the latter was used sparingly.
"Tales From The Thousand Lakes" is the first Amorphis release to have an official keyboardist, Kasper Mårtenson, as any previous of the band's releases had the band's own drummer, Jan Rechberger, provide the empty keyboardist role until the band decided to have a keyboardist and also to find one being Mårtenson. With Mårtenson in the band, it is the first time the band's original lineup changed by having an additional member. Jan Rechberger would leave the band after this album but rejoin the band for 2003's "Far From The Sun".
The influence of Amorphis’ second album can be heard in countless branches of the history of Metal. The Finnish band’s incorporation of their homeland’s native melodies and lyrics based on epic poetry had a clear impact on the development of Folk Metal, while the kinetic riffs of “Drowning Maid” and melodies of “Black Winter Day” laid down foundations for the then-burgeoning Melodic Death Metal genre.
"Tales From The Thousand Lakes" is the most commercially successful Relapse release, selling over 100 000 copies to date. 
Limited Edition to 2133 copies, Custom Galaxy Merge Vinyl.
Relapse Records, 1994/2023 (RR7414 | LP4984R / RR49841). Made in Czech for the USA.


Tracklist:

Side A
1. Thousand Lakes 2:03
2. Into Hiding 3:45
3. The Castaway 5:32
4. First Doom 3:52
5. Black Winter Day 3:50

Side B
6. Drowned Maid 4:23
7. In The Beginning 3:37
8. Forgotten Sunrise 4:53
9. To Father´s Cabin 3:50
10. Magic And Mayhem 4:27

Total playing time: 40:12 min.


https://relapsealumni.bandcamp.com/