The importance of melody in the music of Amorphis, particularly on the albums following Tales from the Thousand Lakes, is something I didn't become fully aware of until my dazzlement with the uniqueness of the band's ever-evolving sound wore off somewhat. Wide-ranging musical styles, inventive use of ethnic traditions in both music and lyrics, and stellar musicianship are almost givens with Amorphis, and reasons in themselves to make all of this band's albums essential. But how deeply and enduringly they enthrall the listener has, I believe, been determined largely by the quality of their melodies, including, in the case of the vocal lines, the way they are delivered as well as their composition. Tuonela's killer melodies (along with the fact that Pasi's performance does sufficient justice to them) are a major reason why Tuonela is a favorite of so many fans, whereas his uninspired, dainty singing on several tracks sabotaged the nearly as magical lines of Far from the Sun, rendering that album uneven. Melody is a redeeming factor on the stylistic mess that is Am Universum and the reason I'm not as big a fan of Elegy as many people are.

Widely regarded as harkening back to Elegy, Eclipse should more than satisfy those who value the former for encompassing Amorphis' original death metal identity and later, eclectic sound, and for using Finnish traditional poetry as thematic inspiration (in the case of Eclipse the tragedy of Kullervo in The Kalevala, via modern poet Paavo Haavikko's version of the tale). The new album has a rather different feel, however. Thanks largely to Joutsen's intensity, which takes the form not just of very fine growls but of a variety of rough sounds, there is more fire in Eclipse's aggression. When you initially hear Tomi J.'s assured true growl (surpassing that of Tomi K. or Pasi) in the first verse of "Leaves Scar," after having already been treated to some extremely fierce cleaner intonations in the first two tracks, you'll say to yourself, "OH, yeah"--or something like that. He sounds even more ferocious on "Perkele (The God Of Fire)," and the music is right there with him--massive, churning riffage with a classic Amorphis sound but extra heaviness.

Melodically, the songs on Eclipse are more consistently strong and less repetitive than Elegy's. Moreover, the band now has a singer whose energetic and emotive delivery can elevate even the weaker choruses and verses, such as the mechanical-sounding refrain of "Under A Soil And Black Stone." On the other hand, there aren't as many peaks as I'm accustomed to with Amorphis, nothing on the level of "The Way," "Divinity," "Day of Your Beliefs," or "Far from the Sun," but the verses of "Same Flesh" and all of "Empty Opening," especially the choruses, come close. So does the chorus of "House of Sleep," though this song is marred by a too-poppy female backing vocal. Knowing Joutsen to be a gifted (though not infallible) melodist, as demonstrated in his contributions to his other band, Sinisthra, as well as to Eclipse, I anticipate that song crafting is an area in which his value to Amorphis will increase the longer he's with them. It may also be that, rather than being substantially less thrilling, the melodies are sharing the listener's attention with a voice that's more than "just there," a commanding presence whether roaring or crooning, its effect similar to that of powerful instrumentation. That's a tradeoff I for one am willing to accept.

The best-of-both-worlds aspect of Eclipse extends to the way the band work their disparate musical inspirations. Eastern flavors, folk, psychedelia, etc. are woven into these songs with more subtlety than ever before. Having also nailed the heavy, aggressive mode with unprecedented energy, Amorphis have now only to match the melodic genius of Tuonela to make their next album the ultimate expression of their complex musical personality. Based on this first recording with their new singer as well as many comments in interviews, Tomi Joutsen has reinvigorated Amorphis significantly. To be able to say of a band who have had a highly distinguished career for over 15 years that their best work may be ahead of them is a tribute to him and to Amorphis as a whole.

written by Maud

Playing time: 45.28