Originally written by Ryan Plunkett
Amorphis is a band that has been no stranger to change over their ten year career. Starting out as more of a melodic death band with some progressive influence, they have molded their sound into a folkish, hard-rock outfit. The change has thrown many fans for a loop, but those that have stayed with them through this journey shouldn’t have too hard a time finding a memorable experience with their latest album, Far From the Sun.
Starting off with the track “Day of Your Beliefs,” which is one of the strongest on the whole album, Amorphis lays down the folkish vibes with an underlying melody you could easily find in a solid Viking metal record. The rest of the album spirals through a mix of hard-rock, flowing melodies, and catchy choruses. Oddly enough, at times I got a strange Alice In Chains vibe from some of the music, but not too often. The keyboards and guitars often interchange between taking the leads, letting each shine through with strong feeling. Pasi Koskinen provides a very laid back and relaxed vocal performance which never tries too hard to take the forefront, opting instead to blend mostly into the background.
Surprisingly enough, the band produced Far From the Sun themselves, and I must say, they did a wonderful job. Everything sounds crystal clear, from the low rumble of the bass, to the wonderful sounding drums. The guitars and keyboards meld perfectly with the vokills, providing complete harmony within the entire package.
To me, Far From the Sun isn’t groundbreaking by any means, but instead provides you with a solid album that is just plain relaxing to listen to. It’s a record to enjoy on a road trip, or while just hanging out on your porch on a cool summer night. It flows perfectly. If you’re looking for something calm to listen to, look no further than Far From the Sun; you won’t be disappointed.
