#VAGABONDZREVIEW: AMORPHIS - THE MOON

Among loads of the new bands for me to listen and review there're always ones I've been listening for a long time and Amorphis is one of them. I adore this band because every song of them is a separate world with its own customs and atmosphere. When I saw the studio photos from Amorphis I felt the new masterpiece to be on the way.

After period of waiting I finally get notified - the first single of the new album was released. With curiosity and growing interest I put it to my headphones... And that's where magic began.

The Moon has become the first Amorphis single to be released from the upcoming album Halo. The entire record will be available for listening on February 11 of 2022 via Atomic Fire Records. Now I'd like to touch the first breath of the upcoming album and namely the single called The Moon. Needless to say how much I was longing for listening even a piece of new Amorphis music since saw them recording new album, so let's start!

Amorphis - Halo. Out on February 11 of 2022 via Atomic Fire Records

The Moon comes to life in mild and mesmerizing way filling you up with serenity and tranquility. It's the classic way for Amorphis to start a song and always winning regarding to their remarkable key melodies sticking to memory. Surprisingly, I came to conclusion that I'd heard the similar melody before not a long time ago, that was kinda dejavu. After some time of surfing in my music library I found the answer drawing a parallel with one song I heard on the radio recently. It was a single of a Finnish heavy metal band Arion called Bloodline. That song was featuring Noora Louhimo from another Finnish metal band Battle Beast and it was released last year. After having compared the both melodies I come up with decision - they are almost identical. I have no idea how could it happen but I'm urged it's not pretty serious thing to happen because the main idea of The Moon is far different from Bloodline and can't find any similarity afterwards. But that coincidence is pretty curious have to say.

Such peaceful beginning is always the precursor of the striking airy intro accomplished with heavy guitars. As it was expected guitars entered the game with totally Amorphis sound strongly influenced by Finnish folklore and culture establishing the main idea. This is what I particularly find intoxicating in every Amorphis record. After loud and captivating guitars entered, it's now time to dip into the repeating keys melody working great as the energy-milder together with bass guitar and giving time to think and concentrate...

Finally, it's time for what I was longing to hear. It's of course Tomi Joutsen's vocals that are one of the top favorites of mine. With peaceful atmosphere created by the instrumental, growling vocals are alarming. Alarming so gently. Together with rhythm guitar emphasizing lower range of the song it sounds just nice and suiting the song idea perfectly. Those changes from growling to clean gives me goosebumps and I desire hearing the chorus...

The dominating gloom is now beaming with hope and belief what's heard right from the start. Sometimes it's hard to take into account how many shades can be found in only one song. But as for Finnish music and its versatility it's a custom to build contrast and drive it rapidly changing the mood throughout the song. That's why I adore it so much. The chorus is mild, airy and fulfilled with freedom. Clean vocals were the best to suit the song and the band marvelously completed their duty to make this song so exhilarating and breathtaking. I'd also like to add that Tomi Joutsen's vocal range will never stop surprising me. His mild transitions from growling to clean is never ending magic he gives to Amorphis music and to this chorus precisely.

Also need to mention the guitar solo. This time it's not separately played but actually the same sound with the whole instrumental track. Oh yeah, instrumentals from Amorphis...

After the next chorus there comes my favorite combination of growling and cleans. Tomi does the transitions so easily and powerfully so I can just express my admiration to him another time. How would this song sound live...

On this dreamy note it's time to turn back to reality. What can I say? After versatile, complex and technically advanced Queen Of Time songs The Moon is simple, easy-listening and it gives the feeling of flying up in the air namely when hearing every note of the chorus. Compositionally and musically it makes me remind of Skyforger album that is endured with long standing fresh and airy melodies always ready to fill you up with its freedom and the state of feeling alive. Even being off color can bring all range of colors back and make you feel just on the top. Really, it feels so great listening to the new songs from Amorphis every time. Naturally, The Moon brought me Skyforger vibes where I find every song expressive in its simplicity. One more thing I find just breathtaking is listening to long instrumental parts implied to the song. Catching every note of this beautiful song is magic alive.

And finally, to my mind the another best Amorphis record is on the way. Can't wait to listen to full Halo album.