Band:	Amorphis
Album:	Tuonela
Style:	Folk metal, Progressive metal
Release date:	March 29, 1999
Guest review by:	James Woods

01. The Way
02. Morning Star
03. Nightfall
04. Tuonela
05. Greed
06. Divinity
07. Shining
08. Withered
09. Rusty Moon
10. Summers End
11. Northern Lights [Japanese bonus]

After Amorphis' last outing that being Elegy back in 1996 if you're expecting an album of the same nature well some may be disappointed where others will revel in Amorphis' new found direction in metal. Almost completely gone are the harsh vocals of the old days and also the guitar and keyboard sounds are different now also. The most notable thing about the new found way but, is how damn good Pasi Koskinen's vocals sound on this album. Vocals are all clean now and are very easy to get into.

They open the album with the absolutely beautiful song "The Way". Perfect keys from the off, very nice melodic guitars courtesy of Esa and Tommi and vocals to die for. This song is just so cool. "Morning Star" continues the same melodic feel, but has a very catchy chorus and as always you find yourself singing along with Pasi. "Nightfall" and the title track "Tuonela" are a bit heavier than the first 2, and at times remind me of the older Amorphis with Pasi's voice sounding very dark on Tuonela. Very cool stuff.

The rest of the album from there is just brilliant, cant really single out any particular tracks, but most notable are "Divinity", "Withered" and "Rusty Moon". Pasi's vocals sound so melodious and so haunting at the same time, and also occasionally he goes back to a lower growl. Perfectly composed songs, beautiful keys and guitars make this one hell of an album. None of the songs are bad in any way, just hard to pick because its a brilliant album with 10 perfect songs.

Also included on mine is the bonus track for Australia only, that being "Northern Lights". Very short song at only 2 mins long, but very nice with a killer riff, and excellent vocals as always. For fans of quality Finnish Metal, with brilliant music and excellent vocals then this is for you, but if you can find the Aussie version of Tuonela then go for that one instead. Top stuff.

Favourite tracks: The Way, Tuonela, Divinity, Withered and Rusty Moon.