After the huge disappointment of ‘Far From the Sun’ album, we all hoped for a return of Amorphis to their roots. Here was a great band that had created a style of their own, with a very distinctive sound, trying to be a ‘serious’ band (whatever that means) and getting totally lost in the process.

However, our prayers have been answered. This is Amorphis wonderful come back.

Make no mistake, ‘Eclipse’ is not a complete return to the classic deathy Amorphis, but it is a step in the right direction, perhaps more in the ‘Elegy’ and Tuonela’ vibe. It retains all the Amorphis trademarks: the eastern and folky sounds, the atmospheric keyboards, the slightly psychedelic guitars and a nice balance between harsh and clean vocals (Yes, at last a fair amount of harsh vocals!) by new vocalist Tomi Joutsen. Eclipse is a concept album, based on the Kalevala, an epic poem compiled from Finnish folk sources, much like ‘My Kantele’.

If you’re a long time Amorphis fan you will enjoy all the elements that made you love this band in the first place: the heaviness, the emotion, the evocative melodies, the melancholic passages. If you’re not acquainted with the Finns, what are you waiting for? Immerse yourself in the world of Amorphis, you’ll be taken to a thousand places.