Amorphis - Silent Waters Review
Contents |
General Information
Original Author: The Uncreator Artist: Amorphis Album: Silent Waters Genre: Progressive Metal
Tracklist
01. Weaving The Incantation 02. A Servant 03. Silent Waters 04. Towards And Against 05. I Of Crimson Blood 06. Her Alone 07. Enigma 08. Shaman 09. The White Swan 10. Black River 11. Sign
Sound
8 Its been nearly 2 years since i picked up an Amorphis album, and i truly regret it. When i saw there newest album hit shelves, i knew i had to pick it up. Amorphis deliver as always with its unique brand of Progressive Metal with some Death Metal aspects, like the singers very good ability to deliver some awesome growls. This is a great album through and through, a dark and often times haunting sound creeps through your speakers every time you hear this album.
Guitars
8 Esa Holopainen and Tomi Koivusaari are a unique guitar duo. Amorphis rhythms are something of an oddity to me, bordering often times on several different genre sounds at once. Nevertheless this makes them more interesting to me. The sound of the guitars is a key part in Amorphis for me, its very dark on this album, like a monsterous beast slowing beating its way towards its destination, The rhythms are heavy, but not like Nile heavy or anything, there slower, and they chug along with a heavy tone that bears down on you, all in a good away. Esa Holopainen is also a very talented lead player, more focused on the atmosphere of melodies, than balls out speed or anything (although he can play pretty fast). His solo's, and his leads are just...well i dont know a word for them. Catchy for sure, but im thinking of something along the lines of....Space like. It just gave me the feeling of free-floating looking down on earth, i know it sounds weirds, but it was a wonderful feeling
Bass
7 Most of the time, fairly audible. But over the years i have learned to pick out the bass no matter how much someone tries to hide it, So no problem here Niclas Etelavuori is a solid bass player, and i give him credit for having a cool tone. It follows the guitars as usual, ocassionally offering a counter melody to give a little something extra to the song, nothing outstanding or amazing, but it does its job, and does it well.
Drums
7 Santeri Kallio is a great drummer, ive seen some really cool work from him in Amorphis, but he doesnt perform his best on this album, not to say that its bad or anything, just not his best. His style reminds me of a Heavy, dark, demented jazz drummer who is traveling with a metal band. (Does that make any sense? ) Anyway, the drums keep there pace, do there work, and do it without flaw. It supports the band well, and provides an unshaking foundation.
Vocals
9 God how i love Tomi Joutsen's voice. He is an exceptional and underrated vocalists in Metal. He has got amazing clean vocals and some great growls. And he uses the two perfectly. for this album, its about 70% Clean vocals, and 30% growls, so if you arent use to growls yet, this album should ease you into them. Joutsen knows how to make lyrics speak, i know what youre thinking, "If you sing them, arent you Speaking them?"...Well there is a difference, he makes them speak (you see how serious i am cause i used italics ). Not just sing them, but he gets the story to come alive. He is what i refer to as a singer with a Storyteller voice, a voice that is perfect for telling a story, or conveying a message that can speak to individuals. Just, magnificent.
Lyrics
10 Fantastic, some of the best from Amorphis. Im fairly sure the songs are all connected, and they all tell a great story, and the use of explaining simple actions a person does in a dramatic way adds a very ominous touch to them.
From "Weaving The Incantation"
A mind dejected, Blood boiling with anger The storm of the warpath, Now sings in my heart Your pleadings useless, I now shall disregard I'll leave you to weep, And to fear for me
Im ready for my end My hair i comb down With resin into braids Im ready to ascend My will burning high Summon strength from the night
From "A Servant"
What was denied from poor I thought to be riches I run for them there and then it made me take my due To death id plunge with joy My happiness to claim I am prepared to face the war Under the black soil
I am righteous if i so desire until i reveal my worth And take to myself What was denied from me I stalked them in there celebrations I delved into there worlds I aimed at the highest of the high And decided it mine to take
From "Her Alone"
Only one can make me do my good deeds Only one and the shadow of that one Only one can make me do my evil deeds Only one and the shadow of that one
Her alone i will lend my ear to Only here i will obey Her alone i will always want to serve Only her i will defy
Only one can make me wage my wars Only one and the shadow of that one Only one can make me do all my deeds Only one and the shadow of that one
My understanding under her advice Birth of my knowing under her advice My desires i fulfill by revolting
Overall Impression
8 A more than worthwhile album for fans of Progressive music. A dark, mysterious and haunting journey through the minds of Amorphis with awesome guitar work and an amazing vocalists. What are you waiting for? Go swim in the Silent Waters.
