This is the fifteenth album from Finnish metallers Amorphis.
Following on from 2018’s Queen of Time and 2022’s Halo, comes the 50-minute Borderland. Considering how long they have been active and how many albums they have, it’s somewhat shocking that Amorphis are still releasing records that are of such high quality. Yep, Borderland is yet another winner from the mighty Amorphis.
The songs on Borderland, as you’d expect, are big, melodic, catchy, and filled with massive choruses. Amorphis know what they’re about though, so there’s also nuance, depth, atmosphere, and the sort of skilled longevity on display that many acts would kill for. As usual, Borderland is well-rounded, offering a compelling and enjoyable experience for fans old and new.
These new songs have an abundance of hooks, and feel like they’re even richer in melody than normal. A firm foundation of heaviness and metallic riffs welcomes the listener, with trademark expressive keyboards applied liberally. The singer’s Grade A vocals – both cleanly sung and harsh – are as strong as always. What more could you want from an Amorphis release?
Well, the band haven’t stood completely still, and even if they did they’d still unleash a monster of an album. No, across these songs they throw in a few different ideas here and there, be it a certain rhythm, a riff, a melody, a drum beat, a musical influence, or what have you, making Borderland feel vibrant and effective. Some of the songs carry progressive vibes too in places, which I like a great deal. None of this detracts from that classic Amorphis recipe, but merely adds a few exotic ingredients into the mix. The result is very tasty indeed.
Upbeat and dynamic, this collection of songs is very easy to like and absorb. Borderland is filled with epic atmosphere, stirring beauty, and textured heaviness. Top work Amorphis.
Don’t miss out on an extremely enjoyable melodic metal record.
Wonderbox Metal 