Written by:	Ivor
Published:	November 09, 2011
Event:	Amorphis: European Tour 2011/2012
Location:	Rock Café, Tallinn, Estonia
Galleries:	Amorphis - Rock Café, Tallinn, Estonia, 02.11.2011 by Ivor (40)

When the Amorphis gig was announced, the main thought that crossed my mind was along the lines of "Oh, good, at least Finns remember to come over here." I knew I'd go see them live. Not because I'm a huge fan or anything but because I hold them in high regard as a live act. At that point I had seen them already 3 times and had not been disappointed by any of the gigs. In short, Amorphis know their way around the stage and the music's got enough kick in it to get the crowd going. So, this particular Wednesday was promising some good metal.





Last time they were here I wasn't particularly interested in support bands, plus I had a conflicting event going on that prompted me to skip the warm-up. This time things were looking quite a lot better, even though a conflicting event still managed to make its way into my schedule. Nevertheless, the support was not to be missed. Nahemah - whom I knew nothing about - and Leprous - whom I valued as a not particularly mind blowing prog act - had better be good on stage and worth the time.





I had barely arrived at the venue when Spanish band Nahemah started playing, quite early but on schedule... And they totally failed to grab my attention musically. Which is kind of surprising, now that I think about it. I may not enjoy growls in their case but the music as such is pretty decent. I mean, it's got enough variety and change, good melodies and all - enough not to be dismissed out of hand. However, it seems Nahemah is a bit of a hit or miss kind of band for me. It either happens, or it doesn't. Unfortunately, this time live they went completely under radar while suffering the unfortunate luck of the opening acts recently - a mostly empty venue.





After a short break, things began to change. At least I knew what to expect. Prog metal is just the way I like my music and I was prepared to enjoy the show. But... holy shit! What the hell was that?! I thought I knew Leprous. I mean, I've heard the music which, to be really honest, I hadn't completely made my mind up about. The albums seemed to lack certain something to make them really memorable and stick with me. Although, Bilateral admittedly is one of the better prog albums this year.





However, even though I knew the music I wasn't prepared for the performance the band delivered. It felt like standing in the way of a freight train at full speed. The blast of energy that came from the stage was overpowering, it could throw you against the back wall, beat you senseless and then some. I think they seem to be eating some super secret stuff up there in Norway as it's the second band to do this to me live this year, first being avant-garde Shining supporting Devin Townsend. In any case, Leprous is totally a live band. This single show took Leprous to a whole new level of appreciation for me, earning sincere and deep respect, giving me this something I felt missing on the album. I mean, when they were done I honestly considered leaving the venue. It was in every sense a mind blowing performance.





So, as you see, Amorphis had one hell of a task on their hands; the bar was raised high. It really is embarrassing and shameful when one of the support acts out-performs you on your tour. A troublesome perspective, that one, and I respect Amorphis all the more for letting bands do what they do best and not being afraid of this challenge. When the first notes were struck, though, I somehow sensed Amorphis were not to be seated in the mud and would come out just fine.





All Amorphis had to do, was keep the crowd going. Leprous really did well and got the flame ablaze for them. Not an easy task to take over but the quality stuff that Amorphis have been releasing over the past half-decade comes off well on stage. There's strength in the songs carried by Tomi Joutsen's terrific vocal performance delivered through a crafty microphone, and supported by instruments wielded by people who really do know how to use them. However, after Leprous, Amorphis was coming off more coherent, contained, and less insane. Which is in no way a bad thing. They still managed to deliver an excellent show altogether.



In a way, this show was an eye opener. I found a band that is awesome live - Leprous. If you have seen Amorphis before and are presently debating whether to go see them again on the current tour, do please go to the show and at the very least see Leprous. You shouldn't be disappointed in this decision. Amorphis will also deliver a good performance, which will only be a bonus by that time anyway.