Setting the bar ever higher, AMORPHIS soars in, defying the Metal genre once more with an original line-up, (and some talented acquisitions) to bring us another jaw-dropping album – Borderland.
 
Since their formation in Helsinki in 1990, this Finnish powerhouse has not once yielded in their musical discoveries – indulging in everything from their rigid death metal roots to melodics, progressive and hard-rock, to folk and more. AMORPHIS is always reaching higher, expanding not only their own artistic identity, but pushing lyrical expectations and breaking through all predictive boundaries with each new creation.
 
Now, after journeying there and back again throughout their 35-years, AMORPHIS — guitarists Esa Holopainen and Tomi Koivusaari, vocalist Tomi Joutsen, keyboardist Santeri Kallio, bassist Olli-Pekka Laine, and drummer Jan Rechberger — emerge once more with something not only mesmerizing in execution, but hypnotic as we embrace the realm of Borderland.

“When the writing period began, there was no grand master plan,” says Holopainen. “We ended up with 24 demo tracks, and Jacob helped us select the ones that felt the most vital. The end result is dynamic and diverse.”

Kallio elaborates: “I feel there was a shared, almost subconscious desire to focus on rich atmosphere and strong melodies. Compared to the previous record ‘Halo’, the new album feels more organic and straightforward — and definitely catchier.”

“It’s more accessible than ‘Halo’ and has a modern and fresh feel — yet completely true to who we are,” ponders Rechberger. “The atmosphere in the studio was relaxed. The songs were pretty much finished when we arrived at Jacob’s seaside recording facility, so we could focus on the interesting details and recording itself.”

Koivusaari adds: “Jacob had a vision for the big picture, but he gave us the space to bring our own strengths — and that freedom is reflected in the final result.”

Striding in on signature Amorphis sound comes “The Circle“, an almost play on the album’s encompassing flow of texture and play. It’s gentle and cautious, a track that plays on expectation and feel to once again acquaint you with what the band is all about. While this track didn’t stand out to me personally, I did understand it’s purpose. An introduction to the new, and a nostalgic nod to the long-term bringing both harsh vocals and cleans once more to the front, while still allowing classic sound like guitar and drums to stay true.

“As a keyboardist, I wanted to prove I could write a heavy, riff-based Amorphis song,” Kallio says. “And to everyone’s surprise, “Bones” ended up being the heaviest track on the album.”

The signature hard-hitter conquers the airwaves – “Bones” brings that playful Amorphis noise back to our ears while matching harsh vocals with a vicious sound. The second release of the album, this track moves through progression to heavy metal nods while keeping true to the band’s melodic heart. It’s catchy and easy to find yourself swaying to, perfectly putting into play Amorphis’ ability to tackle range and style without straying far from their own roots.

“With “Dancing Shadow”, we stepped into completely new territory,” Rechberger sighs. “For a band with over three decades behind us, that kind of reinvention feels meaningful.”
 
Holopainen laughs: “Its working title was “Disco Tiger”. The song is packed with hooks and familiar Amorphis catchiness, but with a modern twist. I can imagine it lighting up a metal dancefloor!”

The opposition to the previous track, “Dancing Shadow” brings pits graces against the wilds, with an almost dueling melody that is as infectious as it is jaw-dropping. It’s a track I had to return to a few times to truly appreciate, with the lyrics fading into the background as I really got into the melody. It’s an element that I truly adore that comes with being an Amorphis fan. Their ability to showcase cinematic sound while still crafting captivating lyrics is a wonder. Some tracks take hold with story, a sound to match their tale; while other compositions are truly for the sound itself, which this track brought to me.

“Fog to Fog” had an immediate choke-hold on me. From the riveting intro that strides on majestic hoof-beats after a serenade of elven light, this track makes me relive Halo all over again. The folk-tinged melodics of this track soar above all others, repeatedly snagging me and drawing me back in to re-listen to that opening melody over and over again. Tomi’s vocals are solid, sturdy as they ride out the heaviness that rises throughout the journey, lifting in appropriate fashion with epic cleans and enhancing gutturals that really bring “Fog to Fog” full circle. It’s an uplifting track with gentleness and grace that still comes in just as hard-hitting as others, really allowing you to appreciate the track for its complexity and completions. Every small bit brings me back to the album that truly left me in awe, easily making “Fog to Fog” my favourite from this release.

And the journey continues. The album’s first single, “Light and Shadow”, was crafted with complete creative freedom — unrestricted from constraints or expectations.“
 
“It’s a song built around melody, groove, and a sense of freshness,” says Kallio. “I just went with the flow — no pressure to repeat or copy anything we’ve done before.”

It’s what brought me in from the very beginning – the release of “Light and Shadow” that dropped in early June. It held all the elements that had captivated me from the very beginning, bringing me back to early Amorphis‘ “Silver Bride” with the same elegance and intensity. The melody of this track is stunning, having me set high above the clouds to glide across a silver-painted skyline with closed eyes and gentle breath. It’s a well-placed introduction to the new horizons of the band, clasping well to the known while still taking things beyond expectation. Easily catchy, and oh so beautiful, this is a track that became an instant staple on my daily playlist.

“You might even hear a touch of Vangelis there,” promises Holopainen. “The arc of the song is powerful, and Tomi’s vocals bring the story to life with real emotion.”

And those words come as no surprise once you’ve listened to the immersive track that is “The Lantern“. A cinematic wonder, this track strides in on epic guitars like some unsung ballad that had been locked away for centuries. The drums are cascading and fluid, guiding you down the cobblestone pathway into the unknown. The dimly lit corridors are painted by passionate vocals and delicate key strokes, furthering the vividness of this track. It picks at the back of my mind, serenading me with something familiar – the dreaded wandering that comes in Final Fantasy 7 as you are released from your prison cell by something unknown, only a trail of blood guiding your way. It holds the same mystery yet there’s not a single inkling of fear.

“Looking at the record now, one of my personal favorites is the title track “Borderland”. says Joutson.
Musically, it’s classic AMORPHIS— delay-drenched guitars, melodic keyboards, and the interplay between clean and growled vocals.”

Lyrically, the title track explores the symbolic meeting of a father and son between two worlds.

“To me, it captures the album’s core lyrical theme — the tension between ancient wisdom and the struggles of modern life. Yet the lyrics aren’t confined to any specific time or place — they are universal and timeless.”

“Personally, I feel the poetic side of Borderland reflects how humanity is slowly losing its connection to nature in the name of greed. We still remember our roots — but somewhere along the way, we just stopped caring.”

As the title track of this album, “Borderland“, and to reiterate Tomi’s own words, this track is classic Amorphis in both sound and feel. From tantalizing guitar solos, to brilliant bass and solid drum work, this truly encompasses the fans have come to know throughout the years while still brimming with inventive twists. It’s layered in velvety complexion, the lyrics further possessed by the battle of tradition and knowledge in sturdy melody, while the sense of exploration turns eyes away to a brightness that’s portrayed in mindful guitar strokes. It’s the heart of Amorphis, and the soul of this album, showcasing that you can still hold true to your roots while broadening your horizons.

“If movies usually end with hope, “Despair” does quite the opposite,” Koivusaari nods. “If I had to sum up those album’s closing moments in two words, they’d be winter and ice.”

With an introduction that brings a shiver and a sense of foreboding, “Despair” does truly captivate with the sense of hopelessness. The heaviness batters like storm winds; thrashing against grey skies and icy fields to twist and turn the mind with both confusion and sorrow. It boasts the eerie tranquility that comes when Amorphis imposes their sense of sorrow and loss, yet somehow intrigues all the same. The guitars take hold on this epic closer, really blending those wild strings in a way that’s both harmonious and grinding. In all its frigid portrayal, “Despair” still takes hold with bony fingers, allowing the melody to flow through with decadence while vocals take the backseat. It’s majestic, and beautiful, truly putting the talented instrumentals of Amorphis in the spotlight as we try to shake off the ice and snow.

This album, as a whole, far exceeded my expectations (as I expected, of course). From epic guitars and blossoming melodies, to classic Amorphis sound and vividly painted timeless, Borderland showcases Amorphis‘ growth, touching on familiarity and comfort while pushing the boundaries on sound and musical exploration. Cinematic mastery comes through on tracks like “The Lantern” and “Fog to Fog” while heaviness blisters the heart with heated tracks like “Bones” and “Tempest“. It’s an album that really touches upon the tastes of metal fans, offering up a track truly fitting for any fan. After spinning Halo repeatedly throughout the years, I believe Borderland will now follow.

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