Band Origin: Helsinki, Finland
Genre: Progressive Metal / Death / Doom
Release Date: 2011
Album downloads only available to members
Album Info / Review
A Lush, Melodic Journey to the Roots of Creation
INTRO
Following the massive success of Skyforger, Amorphis faced the difficult task of following up a “perfect” album. Their answer was The Beginning of Times, a sprawling, 12-track epic that stands as the longest and most detailed release of the Tomi Joutsen era. While it maintains the melodic brilliance of its predecessor, this album leans further into progressive rock and folk arrangements, creating a warmer, more organic atmosphere that feels like a summer night in the Finnish wilderness.
TRACK ANALYSIS
Conceptually, the album focuses on Väinämöinen, the central hero and demigod of the Kalevala. The music reflects this “elder” perspective, favoring sophisticated compositions over raw aggression.
The album starts with “Battle for Light,” a song that immediately highlights the band’s focus on Santeri Kallio’s keyboards and grand, sweeping melodies. However, the record truly finds its stride with “You I Need,” a quintessential Amorphis single. It features a melancholic piano hook and a clean-vocal performance from Joutsen that is among his most soulful.
For those who crave the “heavy” side of the band, “My Enemy” and “Crack in a Shell” provide plenty of growls and driving riffs. Yet, the album’s heart lies in its folk-prog experiments, such as “On a Stranded Shore” and the title track, “Beginning of Times,” which utilize female backing vocals and acoustic textures to build a rich, layered soundscape. The production is incredibly “lush,” emphasizing melody and atmosphere above all else.
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS
“You I Need”: An emotional, melodic masterpiece and a staple of the band’s live set.
“Battle for Light”: A powerful opening that sets a majestic, progressive tone for the entire record.
“Mermaid”: A hauntingly beautiful track that perfectly blends folk melodies with heavy metal energy.
CONCLUSION
The Beginning of Times is a dense, rewarding album that requires a bit more patience than Skyforger. It isn’t as “punchy,” but it is arguably more atmospheric and poetic. It captures the band at a point where they were completely comfortable in their skin, unafraid to let the folk and prog influences take center stage. For fans of the band’s more melodic and storytelling side, this is an essential chapter in their discography.
FINAL RATING
8.8 / 10
“A rich and vibrant tapestry of Finnish myth that proves Amorphis are the ultimate storytellers of the metal world.”
