Return to Finland II - The Future of Metal
Stam1na, Amorphis make Progress
It was one of those moments I had only one reaction, to throw the metal sign up and say "hell yeah!". This was the first time I heard Stam1na. Roaming through my list of links of bands from Finland I had brought up a few insanely metal- but very new sounding songs from the band. Part Thrash, part Progressive, add in some Melodic Metal and Stam1na represents to me a new breed.
A new breed of bands which bring in their own style, their own stamp, and still manage to show their direct influences. The second and third level to the new breed is insanely talented band members who are diverse and excellent songwriters. Third level is that they all can sing, scream and growl as well as anyone else.
Stam1na sings in their native language, Finnish and it shouldn't stop any foreign metal-head from listening since their songs are hook-laden, melodically innovative, and instantly memorable. Since I've listened and researched a lot regarding this band I learned that the lyrics are exceptionally poetic and full of allegory, twists and innuendo. The band also has had exceptionally high accolades from their very first debut CD. Quickly being called "The Future of Metal", a label they didn't encourage nor take to 100%. I feel that they are more like the future, the past and present all rolled into one. Which makes them ultimately timely..
Since the releases of Stam1na and Raja, which I am featuring here, the band has released a 2009 CD called Viimeinen Atlantis. And as with any band that seems to have a visionary approach, they always evolve, as they showcase an even more progressive sound, a bit less aggressive in approach and is a futuristic concept albulm.
A return to Finland can't be complete if I don't take the time to mention one of my very favorite bands from Finland, and that would be Amorphis. Amorphis started out in 1992 as a full Doom-Thrash /Death Metal unit in their landmark debut The Karelian Isthmus. Their fierce attack and deep growls were right in line for me with Sepultura's Beneath The Remains and Arise. But when Amorphis slowed things down and re-invented their approach, it got them recognition in the world of metal fandom. They struck a nerve in the world of metal with their ground shattering Tales From The Thousand Lakes. It was a doomy, melodic-death affair with Moog keyboards playing folk-inspired melodies. Add to the fact that the songs are based on old Finnish Folk tales (The Kalevala) and it becomes an instant classic. I really enjoyed this CD, being in my top 10 in my rotation for countless years.
Amorphis, as an innovative band always does, seemed to re-invent itself which each release. Less doom, less death metal growls, more instrumentation, and melodic passages. I found their latter releases fell short off the mark and I had basically stopped listening to them as members changed. But, in 2009 I was happy to see the band make a big return...
I mentioned before that the most popular bands I will showcase in my listings are probably The Gathering and Apocalyptica. Amorphis would equate that into a 3-way tie as only most die-heard metal fans know of them. Their 2009 release of Skyforger may change that though. The band may have reached their true apex, with long songs that show all their influences, their style, and deep melodic sense. The music is multi-layered, and is definitely Progressive. The growls are still there, used sparingly. There is piano and even flute. The folk stories continue and Amorphis, for a second time, becomes The Future of Metal.
Stam1na- Muistipalapelit (Finland, Progressive Thrash 2008) I must give credit to anyone who could make a word like Muistipalapelit work- in any song. Let alone a high-powered, full-force Thrash song. You get sucked in by the chorus right off the bat and then hit in the mouth when the song kicks in. The top-notch recording and production of this song allows the energy to pop right out of the speakers in a technical onslaught. And just as you feel you can't take any more the song flips and becomes melodic. Its classic bait-and-switch which we see in bands like Slipknot but here the band shows references to a slew of bands. I hear System of a Down, Metallica, Pantera, Anthrax and more peeking through. The song is about putting together the missing parts of memory after a night of drinking. The song shows progressive influences through the heavy grinding solo and then the anthem-like chant melody at the exit. Putting the pieces together in this one is easy. It kicks some serious ass. From their highly acclaimed 3rd release, Raja. Also a note: the crowd seems a little pumped up in the concert footage. Its not like that in the States anymore. I so need to move to Finland.
Stam1na- Kadonneet Kolme Sanaa (Finland, Progressive Thrash 2005)
Another one from Stam1na (the 1 is in there to make it easy to search the name), but from their debut CD. At the time they were already being considered "the band of the future" and this might be their most popular song and its easy to see why. The intensity, the attack and the melody are all on display along with their intense musicianship. It hits right off at full force then drops into a groove for the lyrics as winding melodies are held on the guitars. The whole song and its progression feels like a swelling and rebuilding. The fully strummed 6string chords during the chorus are a pleasure to listen to and then there's the solo. Like the best bands, the exit feels different, a little slower but more intense. This is so metal and so new sounding, yet it has a familiarity.
The 2009 release Viimeinen Atlantis is a heavier listen and has great lyrical content... It will be a pleasure to learn Finnish ala lessons from Stam1na.
Amorphis- Skyforger (Finland, Progressive Metal 2009) A Return from Amorphis... As they have continued to evolve their sound and morph into again, a band of the future, they release their best work since 1992's Tales from The Thousand Lakes. Here I have included 2 links to showcase the breadth of their vision and sounds. The first one is the title track from Skyforger. Like the whole albulm, it is quite epic with a wide range of sounds and rhythms, like the old days but with excellent vocals. The ending to this song has a brilliant mix of higher backing vocals with the death metal growl, all adding to the overall feel of an epic telling of an epic tale...
Amorphis- Sampo (Finland, Progressive Metal 2009) Another from Skyforger, I think this one shows how different their direction has gone and in comparison to the one above, a decent example of their writing skills. The beautiful piano intro is mimicked by the guitars before the first section starts in. The progressive style goes into a melodic passage then a full stop for lyrics before a great guitar solo. The metal growls follow this section with full instrumentation then a powerful keyboard solo. Amorphis at this point is flexing their muscle. The last chorus reminds you how great the melody was. I urge you to listen through to it a few times to really allow time for it sink in.
Yes though the band had members change and their style is always changing, yet it still feels like Amorphis, and I feel a few years from now this CD will be viewed as a big influence on The Future of Metal.
Next update: A Return to Finland concludes with: The Chameleons- Velcra and Silentium.
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