2025 marks 35 years since Finnish metal act Amorphis formed back in 1990. The band’s fifteenth album, Borderland, is a testament to the band’s longevity. Album opener “The Circle” starts with electronic keys and a heavy mid-tempo groove in the backdrop. Vocalist Tomi Joutsen sounds strong as ever as he sings, “Amidst the stars/above the universe/I found my sun in the heart of the Milky Way.” Guitarists Esa Holopainen and Tomi Koivusaari drop chunky riffs with stirring leads during the song’s midsection. “Bones” is the second single off of Borderland and displays the band’s folk and death metal influences. Joutsen seamlessly transitions from death metal growls to clean vocals. The tempo is a straightforward beat that is complemented by lush keyboard samples and guitars. Keyboardist Santeri Kallio particularly stands out on this track. “Dancing Shadow” opens with sorrowful piano keys over a tribal beat before sweeping up the listener in a melodic storm of folk, death and symphonic metal. “Fog to Fog” conveys a fantastical aura, with its thin guitar lines, rugged riffs and soaring vocals.
Things get heavier on “The Strange” with its guttural growls and double bass drums, while still retaining a catchy tempo and folk elements. “Tempest” mixes acoustic and electric guitars with a grooving beat, to strong effect. The emotive guitar solo and key samples accentuate the mysterious mood of the track. “Light and Shadow” straddles between electronica and symphonic metal so much, one could probably, possibly, play it in a night club. Well, perhaps that is a stretch, but the thick riffs and samples drive this song forward. “The Lantern” has a slow tempo and folk elements that the band has used since its third album, Elegy, released in 1996. This is a darker track and feels like one is traveling through a forest during an evening storm. The title track is the penultimate song on the album, and exudes a dynamism that gives it an epic, aggressive emotion. The melody is strong and catchy, a trademark of Amorphis. The song’s bridge features traditional Finnish melodies that makes this a stellar song. Album closer “Despair” is a fitting description for this song. Joutsen sounds somewhat detached as he sings of dirt roads and collapsing by the water. We have concluded an arduous journey and must make our way home.
Amorphis are having fun on Borderland. The band melds death metal, electronica, folk and symphonic metal without flaw or hesitation. Amorphis has done this since the start of its career as its 1992 debut, The Karelian Isthmus sounds different from its sophomore effort, Tales From A Thousand Lakes. On Borderland features 10 tracks that flow well and make for a smooth listen. Producer Jacob Hansen did an excellent job with the mix, particularly the keys and samples. The sound is clear and rich, with a enough bottom end on the guitars to keep things heavy.
Borderland is another top notch release from Amorphis. Fans of the band will enjoy the melodicism and lush, musical landscapes and I recommend this album for fans of symphonic and folk metal. This album will take you on an adventure.
Check out the band’s official website here: https://amorphis.net/
