All about this artist
Biography:
Formed in Helsinki, Finland, in 1990, Amorphis was originally conceived by guitarist Esa Holopainen and drummer/synthesizer player Jan Rechberger, who recruited vocalist and guitarist Tomi Koivusaari and bass player Olli-Pekka Laine. On the strength of their demo tape Disment Of Soul they secured a multi-album recording contract with Relapse Records, famed for their catalogue of American grind bands.
In December 1991 the band recorded six tracks for a shared album with labelmates Incantation, but the record was never actually released. Two tracks appeared on a limited-edition 7-inch single. In May 1992, the quartet travelled to Stockholm, Sweden, to record 11 tracks for their debut album, The Karelian Isthmus, with engineer/producer Tomas Skogsberg.
A crushing demonstration of state-of-the-art death metal, the dramatic atmosphere of the songs was further enhanced by the addition of keyboard player Kasper Martenson. In the wake of the success of Amorphis' debut, Relapse elected to release the abandoned split LP session as the Privilege Of Evil EP.
In September 1993 Amorphis returned to Stockholm to record 10 further tracks for their second full-length album, Tales From The Thousand Lakes. As the title suggested, this incorporated elements of 70s progressive rock, with the theme being a historical tribute to Finland and to the national epic, The Kalevala.
In 1995, Rechberger was replaced on drums by Pekka Kasari. The following year's Elegy featured Kasari and two other new members, permanent vocalist Pasi Koskinen and keyboard player Kim Rantala. This lush, multi-faceted work was inspired by another piece of Finnish literature, The Kanteletar.
The mini-album My Kantele featured the two-part epic, "The Brother-Slayer', alongside cover versions of material by Hawkwind and Kingston Wall. Rantala left the band in 1998 and was replaced by Santeri Kallio.
The following spring saw the release of Tuonela, which continued the transition towards a more melodic, psychedelic/metal hybrid sound. Niclas Etelävuori replaced Laine for the recording of 2001"s Am Universum.
