Sunday, 13 October 2013

The Night That Was Amorphis

It was a pleasant windy evening as I made my way to The Factory theater for one of Sydney’s and my most memorable nights. I still remember when Amorphis announced their first ever Australian tour, I couldn’t help but think of how insanely lucky I am. I definitely moved back at the right time. It's been tours galore this year and this is just the beginning.

Before I get into anything, I have to rave a little about the venue. I LOVED IT. Compared to the others that I’ve been to, the factory theater was so awesome. It was spacious and comfortable, had a slight elevation towards the center of the place for people who didn’t want to be right up front, and I don’t know how else to describe it really, but I felt so at home there. Got a good view too except for the occasional bald headed specimen popping up and down in front of me. As long as I could see my main man Tomi, I was a happy camper. Just in general, the place had a really good feel to it, I did notice how neat it was, but I'll quietly take back that comment after I came back home with my boots and me smelling like beer and all dem other alcoholic shenanigans.

I walked in just as The Eternal were beginning their set. I’ve only heard a few tracks by this band but I really liked what I heard. Nice progressive sound, doomish feel and well paced music. I really liked the vocalist, he had a soothing voice that went really well with the rest of the bands sound. I do hope I get to see more of them, they're definitely a good band to see and hear live.



Up next were sydney based band Datura Curse. They were SUCH a fun, energetic and extremely unique band .  I only listened to their new release a few days ago and  they are really really worth the listen and more. Better yet, they sound insane live! Strong , raspy vocals, catchy and rhythmic guitars, all in all, really intense music. Not only does their music have the perfect blend of heavy death growls, melodic metal and beautiful clean vocals with a bit of rock thrown in, with a lot of metalcore, some of their lyrics are amazing, deep deep stuff. Their vocalist was a total riot. Trying to get a crowd pumped can be a bit of a challenge but he didn’t give up. Initially throwing the crowd subtle hints to get themselves up front, after a couple of songs, he took it upon himself to occupy the empty spaces and enthusiastically got off the stage and got a few heads banging. The band had an amazing stage presence, and although I feel like the audience could've given them a little more applause than what they got, they were cheered nonetheless. Definitely a band to keep an eye and ear on!






After about a half  hour changeover, it was the moment I had been waiting for for months. With ‘The Wanderer’ featured on the ‘Circle’ album cover at the back of the stage, the lights slowly dimmed and I could feel the excitement gripping all of the fans gathered to watch and listen to one of the best melodeath bands of all time. One by one, members of the six piece Finnish outfit came on stage, taking their positions and getting ready to shred face. Finally, (picture me with hearts in my eyes when you read this bit), out came in power strides, fists high up and with those absolutely gorgeous dreadlocks, Tomi Joutsen, frontman of Amorphis. I knew instantly that I had bagged a good spot because he was right in front of me. I had to elbow a few taller creatures that were obstructing my view but I had my way.




Wasting no time, Amorphis kicked off their set on a heavy note, playing Shades of Gray off their latest album. If jaws could literally drop, rest assured mine was already on the floor. Tomi’s vocals were unmatched. He has such a magnificent presence on stage, and an even more powerful voice. I don't know what it is, but there's just this aura of pride and sheer awesomeness about him, and by now you can see that I have quite a huge crush on the man. Also, TOMI JOUTSEN HEADBANGING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL YOUR BUCKET LISTS CONSIST OF BUT BLOODY HELL, WATCHING THIS GORGEOUS FINNISH MAN HEADBANGING. An absolute must. Please refer to video, you'll understand fully what I'm talking about. He actually has to pause for a few seconds to let his dreadlocks come forth before he can actually start headbanging. *swoon*

 I did gradually get pushed towards the back due to a semi pit that was attempting to create havoc but lucky for me I got more space to unleash The Hair. It was hilarious because there were people doing this weird,random folk-y dance too! Good fun!

Esa Holopainen. Lead Guitar. = BRUTALITY REDEFINED. Probably one of my favourite things about this band's music is the magic that is brought in by the melodic keyboard segments by Kallio who absolutely owned. The same can be said about every member of Amorphis, it was such a tight performance, they sailed through it effortlessly, without any major sound issues. 



The set had them play quite a few tracks off ‘Circle’ such as Narrow Path, Hopeless Days, The Wanderer and Nightbird's song. And holy mother of god when I heard the symphonic intro to Nightbirds song, I had goosebumps all over. And then went completely mental. Hands down, one of the best Amorphis songs ever written and one of the best live too. I’m pretty sure my hair whipped a couple of people in the face. Heh. Longhairawesomenessyo. The progression of that song is absolutely beautiful. You get a true sense of what Melodic death really means. Listening to The Wanderer too, I had tears, singing along, I was in my happy place. The lyrics on that track were something I related to. Read them. Simple, yet meaningful and emotional.





 The setlist for the night was a treat with Amorphis playing some of their classic tunes like Sampo , Silver Bride and Sky Is Mine from Skyforger, another one of my favourite albums. My night was made when they played tracks from one of their oldest albums Tales From The Thousand Lakes, the first ever Amorphis album I came across. I have a thing for concept albums and this one is a beauty. By now you are aware of my obsession with the Finnish and all things folk. Amorphis base a lot of their music on the traditonal folk tales or folk epic of Finland called  Kalevala. And Tales From The Thousand Lakes is a masterpiece. You I Need and My Kantele were my other much loved tracks of the night. What was thought to be the end of the show, the crowd yelled for three more songs, and Amorphis kindly obliged with a three song encore, confirming that not only are they one of the greatest melodeath band that ever existed, but that they are one of the nicest too.

By the end of it all, I wasn't tired. I was refreshed, ecstatic and felt so insanely good. The music that you choose to listen to shouldn't just be because you like one particular genre or a specific band. It should make you feel a happiness that nothing else can. Which is the effect that Amorphis have on me. I was so grateful to be a part of their first time in Sydney that night, because it was beyond amazing. Hoping I get to see more of them in the near future, or I'll just stick to my original plan and move to Finland.

Amorphis bid farewell with Tomi thanking Sydney for having them and saying that they loved the country! Yes, it was definitely a night I will never forget =)




No comments:

Post a Comment