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Review Summary: You've heard this album before. Amorphis have experimented with a various mix of styles throughout their career. If any of these genre cues have persisted since their doom-esque days, it would be melodic death metal (a very light emphasis on "death"). The group's seventh LP release, Eclipse, saw the start to a sound which brought a nice combination of melodic keyboards/guitars for generally smooth, but occasionally heavy melodies. Now we've been given another spiritual follow-up with The Beginning of Times. Of course, if similarities between albums meant inherent excellence, then Tuonela would be comparable to the quality found on The Karelian Isthmus.
Now that they've been alive for two decades and have hit the double-digits on studio albums, Amorphis are releasing an album many (long-time) fans are bound to be interested in. And truth be told, it's very unimposing. Much of the band's catalogue isn't exactly what one might call impressive. Save for their first two LP's, which were effectively dark and harsh, and the blissfully melodic Silent Waters, the marks hit have been away from the bullseye. Unfortunately, The Beginning of Times does nothing to alter the picture; though it's also far from being a maligned heap, conversely.
Kicking off with "Battle for Light," the band are quick to give us a very enjoyable stage-setter via quick-paced and impassioned melodies accentuated by a great chorus. One thing's for sure: Amorphis definitely know how to give even the most bland songs a terrific introduction. Speaking of which, the following track, "Mermaid," although having a very nice start, eventually falls into a slump around the two-minute point. Thus, we have an initially awesome, but ultimately negligible "Silver Bride Pt. II." And all told, the rest of the album does little to change the setting, both with regards to quality and style. While the occasional divergence can be found (see "Song of the Sage"), these are on a more over-the-top side and aren't terribly welcoming. In spite of the fact they might seem to fit the band's aspirations on-paper, these brief moments don't make for positive contributions. Not quite to the low of Skyforger's "Majestic Beast" (and Joutsen wisely avoids growl-centered points here), but they still contribute little to the album's benefit.
One tragic similarity this album has with its predecessor is a lack of compelling tracks. Though the opener and "My Enemy" both sound like strong strives, the vast majority of what's present is just stale. With the possible exception of "Reformation," no entire track past "My Enemy" sees the band taking initiative with their capabilities until the closer. Some bands can get away with essentially re-releasing the same album; even for their entire career. Amorphis aren't one of them. The melodies, namely in the mix of guitars and keys, are still nicely crafted but those alone can't carry the album. What we're ultimately given throughout is a lot of potential and above-average inspiration, but unimpressive execution.
Amorphis seem to have prepared The Beginning of Times mostly for those who want a carbon copy of their last three (original) studio releases. This isn't to say that the album falters as much as it slumps, but very little sticks out beyond "Battle for Light" and "My Enemy." A shame too, since they come close to mimicking the bliss found throughout Silent Waters. It's easier to enjoy this album than its inconsistent 2009 predecessor, but a derivative relationship to its siblings makes higher praise tough to submit. The sound is good and enjoyable, it just lacks what makes parts found even on Eclipse worth revisiting after five years.
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...I've heard this before?
| | | Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off
Yup.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
The review seems to be based on the assumption that the reader has listened to Amorphis before, and is well versed in their discography. If I had never heard of this band before, this review would totally confuse me. Also, there are little to no descriptions of the music aside from...
The group's seventh LP release, Eclipse, saw the start to a sound which the band have most-recently been associated with.
Alright, I give up. What sound is that?
Anyway, there's some constructive criticism for ya.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off
Well I figure most who listen to this album will have at least heard some material the band has previously provided. It's just so similar to their last 3 albums that talking about the music itself would probably be as derivative as this album.
But I'll keep that in mind for future reviews.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
If any of these genre cues have persisted since their doom-esque days,
Nothing Amorphis have ever done could accurately be called "doom"
The group's seventh LP release, Eclipse, saw the start to a sound which the band have most-recently been associated with. Though a solid release, its immediate successor, Silent Waters, was what saw them truly push the aforementioned sound to its pinnacle. And while 2009's Skyforger had much in-common with its two recent predecessors, we've now been given a more spiritual follow-up with The Beginning of Times
Wow, a recent album that the band put out is associated with their recent change in sound? How insightful. You also fail to mention that sound; sure, you say melodic death metal just prior to this, but instead of associating their recent albums with that sound you simply state a sound
Now that they've been alive for over two decades and have hit the double-digits on studio albums, Amorphis are here to reaffirm their community position.
*around for two decades, and what do you mean by community position? this just sounds a little absurd
Save for their first two LP's and Silent Waters, the marks hit have been away from the bullseye. Unfortunately, The Beginning of Times does nothing to alter the picture; though it's also far from being a maligned heap, conversely.
Why don't they hit the mark, and why are those albums you mentioned the exceptions?
Kicking off with "Battle for Light," the band are quick to give us a very enjoyable stage-setter.
Really, how? Explain
Thus, we have "Silver Bride" all over again.
Pretend I have never heard this band before. Now with that in mind, what are you talking about here?
And all told, the rest of the album does little to change the setting, both with regards to quality and style. While the occasional divergence can be found (see "Song of the Sage"), none of these are terribly welcoming. Not quite to the low of Skyforger's "Majestic Beast" (and Joutsen wisely avoids growl-centered points here), but they still contribute little to the album's benefit.
You've yet to talk about anything other than things start off good but get bland, so explain these divergences and why, when things apparently pick up, they're still not welcome
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
One tragic similarity this album has with its predecessor is a lack of compelling tracks.
This is the only thing you've really gone into, yet you repeat it here after already talking about for just about the entirety of the previous paragraph
The melodies, namely in the mix of guitars and keys,
No melodies with the drums huh?
What we're ultimately given throughout is a lot of potential and above-average inspiration, but unimpressive execution.
No offense, but this is kinda a metaphor for the review
Amorphis take a heavy-for-recent-fans approach on The Beginning of Times.
I have no idea what you're saying here. Is it meant to be "heavy for the sake of the fans"?
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Well I figure most who listen to this album will have at least heard some material the band has previously provided. It's just so similar to their last 3 albums that talking about the music itself would probably be as derivative as this album.
Never think like this. You're writing for yourself (well, at least you should be) but you're posting it for anyone to read. While there's nothing wrong with dropping some knowledge that might not be commonplace for everyone you have to use it in a way that makes the review easy to read and in a way that everyone can associate with it
| | | Album Rating: 3.2
My two favorite albums are Elegy and Tuonela, so that means that I'm coming from a totally different place than the reviewer. Guess, I can ignore the review -- especially since Deviant has covered it in red ink ;)
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Got my magic marker
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Doubt I'll like this much. Tales, Elegy + Tuonela still my fave Amorphis.
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god this band sucks now
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Amon Amarth reference is kind of needless. Other than that, what Dev said, as usual.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Didn't like this review for reasons that Deviant already pointed out but I agree with the rating.
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This band is painfully average. Nothing they have done holds my attention.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
This band is painfully average. Nothing they have done holds my attention.
Silent Waters? Tales from the Thousand Lakes? Come on Apollo!
Anyways, I love this band so I'm sure I'll really like this.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off
Oh, boy. Well, in response to Deviant, I consider The Karelian Isthmus and, to a lesser extent, Tales from the Thousand Lakes, at least lightly doom metal. That's why I made the opening statement.
I suppose all I can really say otherwise is that the music just didn't leave a strong impression on me.
But thanks for the criticism, all told anyway. Except now I feel like I've contributed a steaming POS and want it deleted. *Sigh*
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Enjoyable album, but like people have been saying, it's just the same thing they've been doing for a few albums now.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
I really don't like the album art.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off
Review is off the front page, so I went and made some changes/additions (primarily to talk about the sound). Hopefully it's not so awful now.
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I really want to hear this, tracks I heard were really good.
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