Friday, December 5, 2025

Amorphis | Borderland | Reigning Phoenix Music


Release Date: September 26th, 2025
Format: CD/LP
Genre: Melodic Death Metal, Folk Metal, Progressive Metal
Country: Finland

Amorphis has been part of metal history for more than three decades, evolving from a gritty death metal band into one of the most distinctive melodic forces in Europe. Formed in Helsinki in 1990, they built their name on atmospheric storytelling, Finnish folklore and a constant desire to expand their musical language. Through every era, the core of the band stayed solid, and “Borderland” arrives as another milestone in a long run that rarely stumbles.

“Borderland” finds the band working with Danish producer Jacob Hansen for the first time, and his approach gives the album a strong sense of clarity and balance. The songs the songs travel on a clear melodic path, shaped by Esa Holopainen’s flowing guitar lines, Santeri Kallio’s rich keyboard layers and Tomi Joutsen’s deep growls paired with his instantly recognizable baritone. The band focuses on direct songwriting, without unnecessary detours, and the result is an album that stands firm in its character.


The overall tone leans toward the more melodic and accessible side of the Amorphis spectrum, although the heavier roots remain present throughout. Tracks move between punchy riffs, warm folk-influenced melodies and steady rhythmic drive. The band sounds settled in its approach, delivering material that feels naturally connected to their long creative history. Pekka Kainulainen’s lyrics continue to draw from myth, ancestry and destruction, giving the album a consistent thematic voice.

“Borderland” may not aim for dramatic transformation, although it presents Amorphis in a refreshed state. The production is bright, the performances are tight and the album maintains enough interest. It sits comfortably among the band’s modern-era releases, offering enough variation and atmosphere to stand on its own without relying on nostalgia or dramatic pivots. Fans of the band’s melodic side will likely connect with this chapter immediately.

Score: 8.3

No comments:

Post a Comment

Wings Of Steel | Winds Of Time | High Roller Records

Release Date: October 17th, 2025 Format: CD, Vinyl, Digital Genre: Heavy Metal, Hard Rock Country: United States Wings Of Steel started when...