Someone from the UM Amorphis forum already did the translation;
Inferno just posted their impression from the listening session. Since this time I wasn't there in person, I gotta trust their words.
The review is very positive, according to the author "the guitars grab you by the throat right from the first song. Although there is still keyboards in abundance and calmer moments as well, the whole is less ethereal than the last four albums, more in your face."
Here's the song-for-song description:
1. Shades Of Gray
Starting with a familiar arabic scale, the song continues from death growls to a cleanly sung chorus. Sets the stakes right away, with snot and attitude.
2. Mission
Starts with a beautiful keyboard part. Catchy verse and chorus. The second verse is followed by a massive middle part based on a strong beat, almost a 1980s feeling here. I feel like applauding after this awesome track.
3. The Wanderer
The absolute crown jewel of the album. The song contains a stunningly exquisite chorus, the highlight of which is a single, unexpected pop note. It proves that small things can do miracles. The transposition at the end is not done the standard eurovision way, but with discretion and style. Sublime!
4. Narrow Path
Starting with a woodwinds intro, the folky song doesn't feel equally great than the stunning opening trio. Despite sounding somewhat lame at first listening, it might yet grow slowly into a positive surprise, since for example the sawing guitars of the verse do offer potential. The guitar solo could have been brought more to the forefront.
5. Hopeless Days
Contains a simple, but efficient metallic riff. The story of the social outcast drawing power from tradition is perhaps best expressed by this song, or at least the tranquil chorus makes me listen to the lyrics more closely compared to the other tracks.
6. Nightbird’s Song
The calm beginning is followed by a strong death metal riff. Stormy action, particularly upon reaching the second verse. At some point during this song I realize that the delay-based guitar riffs familar from the earlier albums have so far been missing on this one. Guitarist Tomi Koivusaari later corrects my notion: they do exist in Hopeless Days. However, Koivusaari admits that guitar patterns of this type indeed play a smaller role this time.
7. Into the Abyss
A piano-based riff which is then doubled by the electric guitars. Layered vocals during the verse. The chorus seems monotonous at first but gets infectious during the last round if not before. The exquisite, open-spaced keyboard solo could have continued for even longer.
8. Enchanted by the Moon
A delicate arpeggiated intro that, if I remember correctly, is reprised towards the end. A better than average song, although I cannot come up with a clear analysis at first listening.
9. A New Day
An ending worthy of the album. The atmospheric vocals of the verses are built on heavy guitars. Another sublime chorus. After the second chorus follows an airy, folk-style break. Befitting the dramatic arc, the end calms down with wind instruments and piano.
Topic: Amorphis... blow? (Read 121198 times)
