What do jovial thrash metal riffs, a charming lead singer with immense vocal range, and an overload of melodic synths all have in common? Most likely nothing. But you’d find all of these features presented on the latest Amorphis album - and not to brag or anything, but as someone who’s been following the Finnish “heavy metal kings” for years now, I can say that they used to be so much better. Ish... if we're being honest here. Today I'm going to rib on their 13th studio album 'Under The Red Cloud' - which is effectively a cringe-worthy buffet of uninspired ballads and ersatz hard rock riffs masquerading as something revolutionary and groundbreaking... how dare they! So pour yourself your favorite beverage, crank up the volume (or don't), click play if you like - cus we've got plenty more constructive criticism coming your way about this questionable record by Amorphis.
As an avid metalhead and a long-time fan of Amorphis, I was ecstatic when the Finnish band announced the release of their 13th studio album, Under The Red Cloud. However, my excitement diminished quickly after listening to the album in its entirety. What I once admired as a refreshingly original sound has now morphed into an unimpressive compilation of ballads and cliché rock riffs. In this blog post, we'll take a critical look at what went wrong in this album and what Amorphis could have done differently.
Let's start by addressing a significant issue in this album: the overly produced sound. While it's natural to have some level of production in any recorded music, Under The Red Cloud takes it to the extreme. The synths are so overpowering that they overshadow the guitars and drums, which is not something fans of the band typically enjoy. Furthermore, the drums sound almost mechanical, like they were programmed into a computer and then played back. The album feels like Amorphis was trying to recreate the production style of their 2013 album Circle, which had a much more balanced sound. Unfortunately, they missed the mark terribly with Under The Red Cloud.
Another problem with this album is the lack of any stand-out tracks. Sure, the opening track Under The Red Cloud is good, but it doesn't have the same impact as some of the band's previous album openers like The Bee or Shades of Gray. From there, the album is plagued by a series of uninspired ballads and unimaginative hard rock riffs, with nothing really sticking out. This makes for a dull listening experience, making it hard to distinguish one track from another.
Lyrically, Under The Red Cloud is also rather weak. Previous Amorphis albums often focused on mythology, nature, and spirituality, which added depth and meaning to their music. However, the lyrics in this album feel generic, with the band falling back on tropes like love and darkness. They also go back to the recurring theme of the “red cloud,” which eventually becomes distracting.
One thing that has always separated Amorphis from other metal bands is Tomi Joutsen's incredible vocal range. Unfortunately, Under The Red Cloud doesn't do much to showcase his talents. Many of the songs are in a lower register, and he doesn't get the chance to showcase his growls or unique style. This lack of variety in the vocals adds to the overall monotony of the album.
Under The Red Cloud is a letdown for many fans of Amorphis, including myself. It's clear that the band attempted to branch out with their sound by adding more synths and production magic, but it was ultimately a misstep. The album lacks any stand-out tracks or memorable moments, and the lyrics feel generic and uninspired. While it's always commendable for a band to experiment with their sound, sometimes those experiments lead them down the wrong path. Amorphis should have focused on developing their strengths and staying true to the musical style that their fans have come to love. Here's hoping that their next attempt is a triumphant return to form.
