The Karelian Isthmus

For the region in northwestern Russia, see Karelian Isthmus.
The Karelian Isthmus
Studio album by Amorphis
Released 1993
Recorded Sunlight Studios, May 1992
Genre Death metal, death/doom
Length 44:34
Label Relapse
Producer Amorphis, Tomas Skogsberg
Amorphis chronology
Disment of Soul
(1991)		 The Karelian Isthmus
(1993)		 Privilege of Evil (EP)
(1993)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [1]

The Karelian Isthmus is the debut album of Finnish metal band Amorphis, released in 1993.

Although The Karelian Isthmus took its name from a historic Finnish battleground, Karelian Isthmus, its lyrics focus on Amorphis's well known epic themes from the history of Finnish warfare and religion, but drawing more into celtic mythology rather than the later traditions of Amorphis's own native land. The epic side is sometimes broken up by the occult lyrical themes in tracks including "Pilgrimage", "Misery Path" and "Black Embrace". In recent years, songs from this album have been receiving more play during Amorphis' live performances, despite being of a different style than their later works.

The album was re-released in 2003 with all the songs from the "Privilege of Evil" EP added as bonus tracks.

Contents

Track listing

No. Title Lyrics Music Length
1. "Karelia"   (instrumental) Tomi Koivusaari, Esa Holopainen 0:43
2. "The Gathering"   Holopainen Koivusaari 4:12
3. "Grail's Mysteries"   Holopainen Holopainen 3:02
4. "Warriors Trial"   Holopainen Koivusaari, Holopainen 5:04
5. "Black Embrace"   Jan Rechberger Koivusaari, Holopainen 3:38
6. "Exile of the Sons of Uisliu"   Holopainen Holopainen 3:43
7. "The Lost Name of God"   Rechberger Holopainen, Koivusaari, Rechberger 5:32
8. "The Pilgrimage"   Holopainen Koivusaari 4:39
9. "Misery Path"   Holopainen Holopainen, Koivusaari, Rechberger 4:17
10. "Sign from the North Side"   Holopainen Holopainen, Koivusaari, Olli-Pekka Laine 4:54
11. "Vulgar Necrolatry (Abhorrence cover)"   Jussi Ahlroth Koivusaari 4:21

2003 Re-release

  1. "Pilgrimage from Darkness" – 4:32
  2. "Black Embrace" – 3:25
  3. "Privilege of Evil" – 3:50
  4. "Misery Path" – 4:17
  5. "Vulgar Necrolatry" – 3:58
  6. "Excursing from Existence" – 3:06

Personnel

Credits

References

  1. ^ "Allmusic review". Allmusic. All Media Guide. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r181094. Retrieved 2011-06-16. 
Amorphis
Tomi Joutsen · Esa Holopainen · Tomi Koivusaari · Niclas Etelävuori · Santeri Kallio · Jan Rechberger
Pasi Koskinen · Olli-Pekka Laine · Pekka Kasari · Kim Rantala · Kasper Mårtenson
Albums
Singles and EPs
Disment of Soul · "Amorphis" · Privilege of Evil · Black Winter Day · My Kantele · "Divinity" · "Alone" · "Day of Your Beliefs" · "Evil Inside" · "House of Sleep" · "The Smoke" · "Silent Waters" · "Silver Bride" · "From the Heaven of My Heart" · "You I Need"
Compilations