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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An immortal piece of work., January 17, 2004
Amorphis is an extraordinary band. For the new fans they have gained with their recent releases let me tell you that Amorphis was at first a melodic death metal band. A style which they have gradually moved from, however leaving us with amazing albums, that I have been listening to for years now and everytime their genius seems to astonish me all over again.Their previous works to this album, including their first full release "The Karelian Isthmus" could by no means be described as relaxed, melodic, beautiful, and soul-filling. In fact the brutality in their previous releases is definitely present. The step from that to this album (their second full release), is indeed a great one, but the band has leaped from one style to another with every release and even though it might shock you , let it not bother you as Amorphis is a band in a category of its own. "Tales From The Thousand Lakes" is very well titled. The album is evolved around ancient Finnish Poems which dwellers of the land of Karelia (West Finland and Russia) sang and have passed on orally from generation to generation until collected and released to us in a book called "The Kalevala". Finland is also known as the land of a thousand lakes, hence the title of this amazing album. The album, unlike its predecessor is slower and the intensity of the songs is low. It is a very melodic album. It starts off with an instrumental song "Thousand Lakes" which sets the mood to the album. Now, all the songs in this album are brilliant. Any heavy metal musician would agree with me by saying that every song possesses amazing riffs which with melancholy guitar leads give us an amazing journey into the history of every day lives of the Kalelian people. "Into Hiding" is a really good opener. From the beginning you will realize that these are really talented musicians. One if the album's best track as is the next song "The Castaway". One cannot begin to comprehend the genius in these songs just by reading this review. They seem to enter your soul and inflict you with peace and tranquility. A quality very rare in this kind of music. "Black Winter Day" is the most famous song here, a beautiful tune that only makes you yearn for more of this perfect music. "Drowned Maid" is another outstanding song and my favourite. Pure emotion is embedded in this song. What can I say it is a masterpiece of an album this one. "In The Beginning" and "To Father's Cabin" are so good that you will ask yourself, how can such a beautiful album full of godly music be present and available to us mortals. This album is that good. A journey that is only carried on by the next album "Elegy". These two albums have made such an impact in my life. They are truly beautiful. I don't want to recommend you to listen to this album as well as "Elegy" because after you hear this there is no turning back, you would realize how pitiful everything else you had been listening to is. So it's up to you, you listen to it, you will be exposed to something not meant for this world, you will dwell on cloud nine (if they still say that) and everything else you are bound to listen to on the radio or anywhere else will fill you with anger and resentment. Indeed we are damned.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Corner Stone of the Melodic Death Genre.*, April 4, 2006
AMORPHIS - Tales of a Thousand Lakes
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This is album is an essential corner stone of Melodic Death Metal... But Amorphis added strong elements of Rock and Folk. Which they further expanded later on down the road.
As you can see by all the other positive reviews this CD is essential piece of Art to come of the 90's Scandinavian Metal Scene. Every song is well crafted and well executed. Blending dozens of styles and influences in each and every song their famous song `Black Winter Day' is up there with `Moonshield' by In Flames as one of the genres best songs.
The musicianship is great... The guitar playing is exceptional, the drumming is precise and well executed, the keys provide an excellent atmosphere to the music and actually do some great leads, the bass playing seems fitting and mostly provides a suitable wall of sound for the other instruments, and the vocals are well varied between traditional growls and a nice higher octave singing range.
If you like In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, Soilwork, or any of the other Melodic Death... You need, to hear this album! Top notch creativity, writing and musicianship if you don't have this GET IT!
Favorite Songs: Black Winter Day, The Castaway, Forgotten Sunrise and In the Beginning.
-5 Stars.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Crowning Achievement, May 2, 2006
Why do I always end up reviewing after Sunshine The Werewolf? Anyways...
As most of us know, this is a major centerpiece in the Melodic Death Metal universe. While the Holy Trinity between In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, and At The Gates was forming over in Sweden, Amorphis had already reached perfection with -Tales From The Thousand Lakes- in Finland. Months ago this album caught my eye with its glorious cover. I knew that these guys had immense potential, but at the time I didn't know and was too lazy to listen.
Vocalist/guitarist Tomi Koivusaari, my favorite member of Amorphis, does the growls/cookie monster vocals, which I think mixes very well with the music. Amorphis hired Ville Tuomi to play the clean vocals for a sense of variety and so that Tomi's doesn't get dull. Anyways this was my introduction to Amorphis and their greatness. They have their own style I see, which massively changes with -Elegy-, the next album. This would be their last step as a Melodic Death band, as they would go on to achieve musical greatness while having more folksy, rock-oriented riffs and less aggressiveness. My theory behind the appeal that this album holds to so many people is the atmosphere it creates when you let it fully absorb you. I do find the production to be rusty on some tracks more than others, especially when compared to -Elegy-. Though we should be thankful such sound was produced.
All the songs are their own art. -Elegy- does put light on things, but the mood and vibe of this record pours out with each one you hear. The monster vocals are easy to take in, but the clean singing at first will appear shallow, which is probably the reason why they hired Pasi to handle them on later records. Songs like "Into Hiding" and "Black Winter Day" will have memorable passages that will automatically hook you. You know just as much as I do that the tune on "Black Winter Day" is unforgettable.
My personal favorites will always be "In The Beginning" and "Magic And Mayhem" because they are majestic in all aspects. The former starts out with a solid riff and a duet between Ville and Tomi which ends with a slower riff and Esa letting loose a beautiful passage. Here...is where it becomes the best song on the album along with "Black Winter Day", or in my opinion even better. Esa unleashes the perfect guitar solo that sounds so epic it makes Lord Of The Ring look like going to the grocery store. This part alone is worth the purchase of this legend.
The latter begins with a melodic instrumental passage that you would expect from a track under an album cover like this. After roughly over a minute, it starts to chug its way into your head with a pounding riff atop Tomi's beastly vocals. A very sweet riff starts at 2:30, just before picking up the pace. No clean vocals make this one a pleaser. After this short pick up, it goes back into an instrumental passage with electronic beeps, that is, before actually having electronic beats and tunes flash everywhere. Tomi and the gang break it up with their powers and end the record superbly.
Of course the battle will always rage between this and -Elegy-. It is really a hard decision, but I truly find -Tales From The Thousand Lakes- reigning supreme in my book. As for this, pick it up, one way or another. The Karelian is waiting for you.
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