AMORPHIS (Eng.)
– Hello, thanks for answering to our interview. How’s AMORPHIS doing?
Very well, thank you. We are doing a lot of summer festivals and we will be touring long into next year.
– You have recently released your latest album, «The Beginning of Times», how has been its feedback so far?
It’s been positive, it charted higher than any of our album in many countries and the reviews have mostly been very good. In the last years we have released a lot and still it seems like people like to hear us.
– «Skyforger» came out just two years ago, did the success it got pushed you in any way or kept you motivated?
We kept ourself so busy that there hasn’t been much time to think about that. Last year we released also Forging The Land of the Thousand Lakes – dvd and Magic & Mayhem – cd and the rest of the time we’ve been on the road. We just do what we do and keep doing that.
– In between the release of this two albums you did also release a DVD, a compilation… Is there anything that can stop you guys?
As long as we stay healthy and the world keeps spinning, no.
– Well, going back to «The Beginning of Times», as it’s now usual in AMORPHIS, covers the story of a character off Kalevala, Väinämöinen. Why did you choose this character? And what could you explain about him for all those who don’t know that much about «Kalevala»?
He is the strongest character and at some point we were a bit afraid to touch the subject. He is the wise old man that is the creator and the main character of the Kalevala. He came out of the egg of the goldeneye that’s on the cover.
– I think the cover artwork has a lot to do both with the album theme and the album’s title. How did you work on the cover? I mean, did you had some ideas and explained them to Travis Smith, did he thought about it after knowing the concept in the album…
We explained him the story and he worked from there, then we bounced ideas back and forth.
– It seems this time you have focused a bit more in the details and arregements. So how was the creative process for the record?
For the last couple of years we been touring a lot, I think we are tighter than ever. When we started to rehearse it came naturally, we tried our best to make it more interesting for us and the listener.
– I also noticed it has some prog. details and more complex structures…
We tried for some part to break the typical Amorphis structures. Some songs are pretty classic and some more prog, that’s how it turned out this time.
– There are also more female vocals. Could you please shed some light on this? Who is the girl, why did you think female vocals fir here and there…
Her name is Netta Dahlberg, she was kind of last minute addition we didn’t plan it beforehand. She was hanging out at the studio and we asked her to try out and in the end she’s on a couple of songs.
– You have shooted a video for the song «You I Need», what can you tell us about it?
It was shot in Berlin in a kind of post-apocalyptic landscape which turns into a more traditional one towards the end. I usually hate filming videos but this wasn’t that bad. We did everything outside and the weather was on our side.
– And are you planning any other clips?
Not yet but maybe later.
– If I’m not wrong, the current line-up is the one has been stable the longest, does this helps you in any way?
Yes, I think it helps. Year by year we get to know each other better so co-operating has so far just gotten easier for every album.
– «The Beginning of Times» is your 10th full-length studio album. Did you thought in your beginnings you will arrive where you are now?
I don’t think anyone could think that far back then. We go day by day and year by year, as long as we are happy doing this we will continue. There’s been hard times too over the years but we survived.
– After many years, finally this year you will come to Spain. Have you got during these last years many requests from fans asking you to come to Spain? And haven’t you got any offers from Spanish promoters?
A few years back we played Lorca Rock but since then there’s been no offer so finally we get to come to Spain and not just for one show, I think there’s four of them this tour.
– And finally, what’s next for AMORPHIS? Any aims left to achieve?
We’re going to be on tour for a long time, let’s see what comes after that. Maybe another tour or a new album.
– That’s all, thanks once more for your time. If you want to add some last words, take the last lines.
Thank you for the support, we hope to see all of you on tour.
