Despite thirty-five years in the business, Finnish sextet Amorphis’ fire has not dulled. Borderland (Reigning Phoenix Music) is the melodic Death Metal group’s fifteenth album, and it is the same multi-layered mix of Death, Folk, and Symphonic, only this time there is a greater emphasis on melody, and it is not as heavy and bombastic as Halo.
“Dancing Shadow” is a cacophonous wall of sound with a delightfully bouncy drum beat and light and airy keys floating on top – it is an accessible but undeniably classic slice of Amorphis. This theme runs through the record, as the soft but central keys and gently chugging guitar rhythms of album opener “The Circle” demonstrate. The catchy “Light and Shadow” is an epic and densely layered example, with smooth vocals and guttural growls sitting atop a bed of locomotive guitars and pounding drums. Borderlands might not be as heavy, but some tracks still pack an almighty punch, the visceral hooks, crushing guitars and eastern influenced melodies of “Bones” amongst them.
Much like Clutch, Amorphis seemingly do not know how to make a bad album, and this continues that happy trend. This record may be more straightforward, but their sound is just as expansive and melodramatic, which lends itself to big ballads – with the rising harmonies and soaring guitar work of “Tempest” fitting the bill nicely. “The Lantern” is a taut yet powerful number, featuring swelling harmonies and an ever-growing sense of the epic. The title track, a meeting between father and son, hosts perhaps the glossiest chorus here, which is counterbalanced nicely by a barrelling rhythm and Folk elements.
My only complaint is that whilst the songs are top drawer, they do merge into one another at times – meaning repeated listens are a must to reveal its many layered charms amidst the volume and operatics.
Borderland is yet again another quality Amorphis album, their densely packed mix of Melodic, Symphonic, and Death Metal is more accessible and straightforward this time round, but just as rich and cinematic in scale.
Buy it here:
https://amorphis.rpm.link/borderlandYT
8 / 10
THOMAS THROWER
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