Tomi Koivusaari of AMORPHIS talks of new album, writing and pranks

With their 10th studio album on the way, Finnish metal outfit AMORPHIS have been relentlessly pushing their music into new territories. Recently, Voltage Media got the opportunity to speak with guitarist Tomi Koivusaari about the direction of the upcoming album. 

Renowned for their ability to take listeners through an elaborate forest of wondrous storytelling and eclectic textures, this six piece is now in the wake of their latest release The Beginning of Times. 

The theme, once again, encapsulates a kaleidoscope of mythology and traditional folk lore, with the lyrical concept centered around Väinämöinen. 

“He is one of the main character in Finnish mythology, almost half-god, but also very human. Stories are concentrating to him in this album, as previous ones have had different characters,” Tomi explains.

“Album story is based again [on] Finnish mythology, this time stories are about beginning of times, at least some of the themes are. Egg [on] a cover represents world's beginning, according to Kalevala.”

In a recent prank, lead guitarist Esa Holopainen played an April Fool’s joke on fans by retouching the original artwork for The Beginning of Times to resemble the shape of a man’s genitals, then it was announced that due to pressure from label Nuclear Blast this was to be the new album art for the forthcoming record. 

“I saw it as well on internet for the first time. Didn't believe it though, I'm used to Esa's jokes. There were some even who believed in it [maybe still do], just yesterday I made one interview where [I was] asked about the “new” cover.”

Since the inception of Amorphis in 1990, the evolution has been quite dramatic - starting out as a death metal project, and then later incorporating a fusion of progressive and folk elements to create their distinctive sound.

“I feel that we finally have found what we have been looking for [all] these years, at least in some way. But we are open-minded for the future, so we haven't “locked” anything [in], but keep searching. We all have quite a wide scale to different kind of music; heaviness is just one part of it.” 

With the addition of a sixth member in 2006, the band’s dynamic shifted once again as new front man Tomi Joutsen took the band to new heights. Soon after, Amorphis achieved Gold certification in Finland for the album Eclipse, along with the two records that followed, firmly cementing Joutsen as a permanent fixture of the band’s identity. 

This would lead one to deduce they may stick to a similar formula as the previous album Skyforger.

“We never plan what kind of album we should do next,” clarified Tomi. “This current “style” has naturally been quite stable, but I think we have still produced the sound of it album by album. We focused more to arrangements and song structures this time than before. Sound is also clearer and fresher. One reason is of course that we have had same line-up now for 4 records.”

Still, the bands momentum continues to surge forward with a consistent stream of releases to their credit and along with having several composers in the ranks, Tomi admits that there is no shortage of fresh material being brought to the table as the “last few years has been very inspiring to the band, and new songs are coming all the time.”  

With a loyal fan base that continues to grow exponentially, it’s hard to believe this band has not yet ventured to Australia during their musical career - which spans over the last 20 years - leaving us all curious as to when we can expect Amorphis to finally tour our shores?

“Well, hopefully soon,” asserted Tomi. “I already thought that it will happen 2 years ago, but it obviously didn't. We'll keep pushing our agent harder, and someday it will happen. It would be great, as we never been there even as tourists.”

Amorphis will release it’s tenth studio album, The Beginning of Times, from the May 27 through Nuclear Blast. The forthcoming, new album is the follow-up to the band’s 2010 compilation album release, Magic & Mayhem - Tales from the Early Years.

Photo: Stefan De Batselier