Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

One of Finland’s finest longstanding metal bands AMORPHIS recently released their eleventh studio album, “Circle” via Nuclear Blast Records.

As described on amorphis.net the concept of “Circle” is a story that spreads through all of the album’s lyrics, written by long-standing collaborator Pekka Kainulainen. Here is a short summary:

“The protagonist has been dealt a bad hand at birth. He’s always felt himself an outsider with strong potential to become marginalized. Through an accident, after a crisis, he finds a connection with his inner powers. A guide is sent to him, from some other time and place. He gets a chance to take hold of his own life and change his destiny. From the past of Carelian Finland he finds his own spiritual tribe and the power to turn the course of his doomed life. This is a story of survival.”

Tomi Joutsen has been vocalist for the band since 2004, blending his contrasting vocal style which helps create the unique sound that AMORPHIS achieve. Metal Shock Finland‘s Blackdiamond spoke to Tomi about the new album, the upcoming festival season and much more besides. Check out a few excerpts from the chat below and listen to the full interview on the player:

Tomi expressed his thoughts about “Circle” and its response so far:

” I think people are really into this album, I don’t know why. Maybe because it’s something different this time and maybe we found fresh elements for this album. I’m really looking forward to the festival season, it’s great to play new songs on stage. I think it’s going to be one hell of a year for Amorphis.

We wanted to have a small distance from Kalevala this time, I think it’s timeless, with timeless issues. It’s a story about a man, he finds a new way of seeing his life. Almost everyone has to stop and think ‘what I am and what I want from my life.’ Maybe sometimes you have to look backwards to see your future.”

Tomi shared what he thought about the sad news of Jeff Hanneman‘s death:

“For me it was a huge surprise, I knew he was sick but I didn’t know it was so serious. When I heard the news I was really shocked, I mean really shocked. Slayer were of course a really important band and I’m glad they are continuing, but it’s not the same without Jeff. He did some great songs with Slayer and I think he was a person who didn’t want to do any compromises, so it was a great thing. Yeah, it made me really sad, it was a sad day.”

On the future of AMORPHIS, Tomi revealed the following:

“We have to keep working with the “Circle” album and I hope we go to the United States with this album also. I hope it’s not going to take too many years till we release another album. I think we don’t want to have any breaks or holidays, so I think we are really busy in the next year.”

Listen to the full interview: