Amorphis - Am Universum
Nuclear Blast
Paradise Lost Metal
10 songs (38'50)
Release year: 2001
Amorphis, Nuclear Blast
Reviewed by Danny

Amorphis are back with Am Universum. What was almost a testimony on Tuonela (previous record, entering in the German top 50) is confirmed with this new album : Amorphis follows the path opened by Paradise Lost a few years before (Draconian Time, One Second). I have said "follows", not "copies". As a mega fan of this metal style, I can tell you to jump on this record and finish my review here. However, a "deeper vision" is necessary.

The production is excellent and crystal clear. Tuonela was well produced too and I can say it is now a trade mark from Amorphis to delivers such good production. Guitar's sound is the same one used by Paradise Lost a few years ago.... actually everything, even the vocals, reminds you Paradise Lost. Well of course Amorphis' vocalist has his own range and he sing perfectly ... but I am sure he is a fan of Nick Holmes.

The song-writing is even better compare to Tuonela and these Finish musicians really know how to make our soul fly (ooups, sorry), with magical atmospheric parts (Pink Floyd here and there) and with heavy guitars, which are much more present here compare to Paradise Lost. Sometimes they reminds me also Lake Of Tears, but Amorphis has added electro elements in their sound (guitar, sample or keyboard used ?) which makes Am Universum really fresh.

My only complain is the running time of this CD : only 38 minutes! A bit too short for my taste. If you are a fan of their previous album (Tuonela), if you like Paradise Lost (Draconian Time, One Second) or if you like last Lake Of Tears (Forever Autumn) jump on it. If you don't know the above mentioned records, jump on them too.

Amorphis is getting better and better, record after record. Can you imagine this band started to play first .... death metal.
The butterfly is about to take off.

Killing Songs :
Alone, Captured State, Drifting Memories
Danny quoted 88 / 100
Crims quoted 88 / 100
Other albums by Amorphis that we have reviewed:
Amorphis - Circle reviewed by Khelek and quoted 90 / 100
Amorphis - The Beginning Of Times reviewed by Khelek and quoted 90 / 100
Amorphis - Tuonela reviewed by Khelek and quoted 89 / 100
Amorphis - Skyforger reviewed by Khelek and quoted 95 / 100
Amorphis - Silent Waters reviewed by Alex and quoted 88 / 100
To see all 8 reviews click here
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