[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSmIW3F941M[/youtube]
Metal Insider contributor Anthony Maisano is listening to a different metal album that was released on that day every day this year. Elegy by Amorphis finally reaches legal age today.
The instrumental aspect to this album is just terrific. There are a lot of different influences in the instruments, such as accordions and Middle Eastern instruments, and the great riffs compliment all of it. The riffs might be the best part of the album. They have a catchyness to them, while still being really kickass. The keyboard parts add atmosphere, but don’t overpower anything, unless it’s the focal point for a short time. There is also a mix of growling and clean vocals that doesn’t get annoying. I do think the clean vocals are better than the growling ones, but that’s just my opinion.
While I don’t see this as a negative, the album may be a bit too “upbeat” for a lot of people who like extreme metal. There tends to be a lot of stigma attached to albums that do both clean and harsh vocals for any length of time, so there’s that too. The harsh vocals, while not bad, are certainly not some of the greatest.
Favorite Tracks: “Better Unborn,” “Against Widows,” “Cares.”
The good about this album is absolutely fantastic, but there are some more boring elements to it too. Unfortunately, this is another album that I think cherry picking the good songs is appropriate for. Find the handful of tracks you enjoy off of this album, but I don’t particularly think this is amazing as an ALBUM. What’s good is great, and what isn’t drags on a little bit for me. Give it a listen in any case!
