Music Review: Amorphis – The Beginning Of Times (2011)

Amorphis released some of the most beautiful music ever in the form of their last album Skyforger. The Beginning Of Times has all the elements of Skyforger except that the songs on this one aren’t as explosive. Amorphis, having released a perfect album, had sent my expectations shooting through the stratosphere, and I have to say they’ve done a fine job of following it up. Amorphis sounds sweet as ever, the sound taking over everything else. A confident, clean voice singing and wholesome growling done very tastefully, with the guitar, bass and drums all complementing each other and making room for other instruments to enhance the mood, and female vocals in places, and the absolutely perfect choruses – this album sounds like the sequel to Skyforger. The melodies, though not as infectious, grow on you over a few listens, and the songwriting – fuck, man… these guys are probably making the best music in the world right now. The songs aren’t as catchy as the ones on Skyforger, but they demand your complete attention… even if you’re going to use this album as music to play while you go about your daily chores, The Beginning Of Times will keep you fully engaged. If I put aside my unfair expectations of getting another Skyforger from Amorphis and imagine the whole deal to be a double album with The Beginning Of Times as the second one, everything does fall into place. The music is beautiful as ever… not as uplifting as its predecessor, but more soothing. Skyforger took you floating in the clouds, with a cool breeze touching your face and skin, and as if sea waves were caressing your feet at the same time. With The Beginning Of Times you find yourself in a water body under a natural waterfall and you don’t ever want to leave because you just can’t have enough of the pampering.

RATING: 3.5/5

Music Review: Skyforger (2009)

Absolutely gorgeous music I should’ve been treating my ears and soul to since its release in 2009.

RATING: 5/5

Music Review: Absorbed In The Nethervoid

-by Devdutt Nawalkar

Artist: “Claws”

Album: “Absorbed In The Nethervoid” (2009)

Razorback has always been a home to niche bands. It used to be gorish grind in the nascency of the label with bands like Catasexual Urge Motivation, Impetigo, Gruesome Stuff Relish, Gigantic Brain, Birdflesh and WTN among others that found a cozy nook under Bill Nocera’s label. The trend shifted to cartoonish death/thrash/grind with bands from Portland like Lord Gore, Frightmare, Ghoul, Engorged, etc spearheading the assault. This phase generally had the most detractors due to the sameness of the music which resulted in somewhat unfair charges of gimmickry levelled against the label. Over the last 3 years or so, focus has shifted to bands plying the old school death metal trade with some absolutely crushing releases barging through the door. Crypticus, Hooded Menace and Decrepitaph have all served out tempting platters of the old sounds in the last one year. Claws from Finland are the latest addition to the roster and a much welcome one too.

Claws play old school death metal in the Swedish/Finnish vein. Period. All the usual references are present here – a bit of Carnage, a bit of Grave, a bit of the Finnish Abhorrence, some Funebre and so on and so forth. To be honest, there really isn’t much to talk about once you slap the old school label onto a band. It’s all been done before and, unfortunately, done much better. Claws, however, break the trend of substandard rehashes (It probably helps that they’re Finnish). Great songs, great solos, great production, and a length that doesn’t outstay its welcome, are all factors that contribute to the making of a very enjoyable record. This would make a great companion piece to Funebrarum’s ‘The Sleep of Morbid Dreams’.

People fling about the word ‘necro’ rather carelessly to describe any old school death metal. Dismember’s great but they’re not necro. Grave were necro on ‘Into the Grave’ but they aren’t anymore. Deathevokation or Evocation, albeit extremely awesome, are too melodic to be necro. To these ears, necro is a somewhat amorphous niche defined by a certain cavernous, bowel distending quality to the music. Funebrarum have it in spades and so do Claws. Highly recommended for all old school fans.

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