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THE ARCHIVES
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Morrigan's Pit has closed down as of November 2006. The site and its articles will stay online as an archive until September at least, but probably longer.
The Archives
2002-2006
» CD REVIEWS
» INTERVIEWS
» LIVE REVIEWS
» SPECIALS
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AMORPHIS
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Far From The Sun
2003
Virgin Music
http://www.amorphis.net/
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1. Day Of Your Beliefs
2. Planetary Misfortune
3. Evil Inside
4. Mourning Soil
5. Far From The Sun
6. Ethereal Solitude
7. Killing Goodness
8. God Of Deception
9. Higher Ground
10. Smithereens
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I was curious to hear what the new Amorphis would be like. I already liked the band back in their more death metal-like days but I never complained about the change they went through with "Tuonela". In fact, I have a soft spot for "Tuonela" and while I liked the experimental side of "Am Universum" that album didn't quite do it for me. To make a long story short: "Far From The Sun" doesn't quite do it for me either. Read on to learn why.
So what's wrong with the Finns' latest effort you might wonder. What strikes me most is that the album lacks some real hooks or even hits which the other albums had plenty of. That is even more surprising considering the fact that it's a lot less experimental than its predecessor. Sure there are nice melodies and choruses but it's nowhere near what I know this band is capable of. And the saxophone that had been extensively used on the last record has been completely dropped for "Far From The Sun". Which is a pity if you ask me. Maybe they used it a bit too often on "Am Universum" but I think it's a shame they totally left it out now.
Other than that, "Far From The Sun" does clearly sound like Amorphis, the band does have their own sound and style, and so you won't be surprised to hear the Hammond (yes!) and some 70s-inspired, often psychedelic guitarwork in most songs.
The trademarks are all there, be it the folkish vibe of the old Amorphis that is still present in songs like "Day Of Your Beliefs" or the titletrack "Far From The Sun" and the oriental influences in "Planetary Misfortune" or "God Of Deception".
There are calmer and more laid back tracks, "Ethereal Solitude" being a fantastic example; it's a song with a somber and very relaxed atmosphere, featuring a piano. The last song of the album, "Smithereens" carries the piano again and does have (intentionally or not) the theme of "Phantom Of The Opera" played on guitar.
As much as I like Pasi's clean singing, until that last track I wished for at least one track with some harsh vocals in it. Wish not granted. Though with "Greed" on "Tuonela" they have proved that it can fit very well even with the music they're playing nowadays.
So I guess my soft spot for "Tuonela" has been clarified: it's full of Amorphis trademarks, a saxophone appears occasionally and it does have a song with clean as well as grim vocals. "Far From The Sun" simply lacks some features that would classify the album as awesome for me, so what is left is a good record. That has been produced by the bandmembers themselves by the way. And they did it well, all instruments are well balanced and I like the organic sound of "Far From The Sun" - which is essential for music like this.
submitted by Cora 20.06.2003
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rating 1 - 5 Morrigans
5 = awesome, 4 = good, 3 = average, 2 = keep practising, 1 = sell your gear!
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