Amoral: Why the change? – On Tour with Ensiferum and New album Info

Amoral: One of Finland’s most unique bands to ever come into the metal spotlight. Having 3 technical death metal albums, and 2 melodic albums, this band has some of the most diversity than any other metal act out there. Some people feel that Amoral is not the same band they once were. This is technically true, due to Ben Varon and Juhana Karlsson being the only remaining original members, Amoral is definitely a new band. But is the change really that bad?

A lot of fans have blamed Ari Koivunen as being the main reason as why the band has completely changed their style. After working with lead guitarist, Ben Varon, this is not the case at all. Change was being talked about since the beginning. Ben felt the band should not be tied down to just one genre, but play a mix of others. Have you ever noticed the difference going from Wound Creations to Reptile Ride? The band becomes more melodic, yet still has their heaviness. When Nikko left the band, Amoral asked Ari to try out for the band. The recent Idols winner thought that he was trying out for a death metal act, and quickly began to practice his death growls. As this being not the case, Amoral actually had Ari use his more melodic voice for Show Your Colors. In fact, Ari was the only one who wanted to use death growls on the whole album. So Ari is not the reason for the band’s change, as it was the band as a whole who chose this path.

As you all may know, I am a huge Amoral fan, as they are my favorite band. I am very much into death metal, but I feel the path Amoral is taking is the best path. They still play death metal songs on their newer album (Won’t Go Home from Beneath), yet have more progressive songs, such as the track Beneath. In one of my interviews with Ben, he asked me what I thought of the change. I told him ” I am a huge death metal fan and first heard of Amoral during the Reptile Ride period. But what I love more is a band who can switch from extreme metal to more melodic metal and still perfect it.” Amoral is that band who can quickly switch styles, and still sound unique.

Change is not always a bad thing. For these guys, the change is the best thing for them, as they develop their own sound, and set a new standard for melodic metal. All of their works are great, but Beneath is their best thus far. Having a mix of progressive, heavy songs, to nods to their death metal roots, to their high-octane vocals and melodic instruments, this album has it all. It gives you a crash course of Amoral’s history and what they have in mind for the future.

I know some of you may be asking “What’s next? Will their be another death metal album, or will they continue their melodic style?” As I talked to Ben, he says there will be no full on death metal album, but they will maybe write death metal songs (Won’t Go Home, and Staying Human). He said he noticed that the fans loved the more heavy and progressive tracks, like Beneath, and that the band also enjoys playing those songs. The next Amoral album may be more similar to that, but nothing is for certain, as Ben stated, giving a little insight in what’s next.

I hope this intrigues you, and for those who have not listened to the newer material, give it a chance. You may like what you hear, as I did. Pick up a copy of the highly acclaimed album Beneath, and continue to support melodic metal. Be sure to catch these guys on tour with Ensiferum and Profane Omen this fall over in Europe!

Bearers Of The Sword Tour 2012: