in the studio: amorphis

Finnish melodic death metal icons Amorphis are almost a year away from the release of their new (still untitled) studio album. Yet here they are, ripping through the follow-up to 2018 gem Queen of Time at Sonic Pump Studios (Impaled Nazarene, Swallow the Sun), with producer Jens Bogren STUDIO REPORT AMORPHIS ALBUM TITLE it sounds like something we haven’t done before, so there are definitely new winds [blowing]. It will be easier (Sepultura, Dimmu Borgir) working remotely from his Fascination Street Studios TBA to say later when everything in Sweden. The Finns will be ensconced at their Helsinki location through June, PRODUCER/MIXER is recorded. For sure, it’s where songs like the tentatively titled “Messias,” “Nanonano,” “Persunyya,” Jens Bogren going to be an album that “Möljä” and “Zimsalabim” are beginning to take shape. STUDIO we will be proud of. I can say

“We’re recording the drums, bass and my guitars now,” offers guitarist Tomi Sonic Pump Studios that already.” Koivusaari. “Esa [Holopainen]’s guitars and Tomi [Joutsen]’s vocals will be recorded in (Helsinki, Finland) As for extras, don’t expect Sweden in April/May, if the current COVID-19 situation improves and lets them travel. STUDIO DATES Amorphis to roll out covers After that, we’ll record Santeri [Kallio]’s keyboards in Helsinki. That’s when we get all February-June 2021 this time around, even though the rest of the stuff going, as well as the mix, which should happen in June.” RELEASE DATE their version of Hawkwind’s

According to Koivusaari, Amorphis wrote over 30 songs during the last two Early 2022 “Levitation” from 1997’s My years. They then employed Bogren to pick out the best 13 to comprise what will ulti- LABEL Kantele EP was a revelation. mately be a 10-track record (with a bonus song for the Japanese market). Musically, Nuclear Blast “We are too productive the new album will continue where Queen of Time left off, but we’re told there will ourselves,” says Koivusaari. be a few surprises; one of which is the inclusion of a Swedish female singer on a “So, no cover songs this time song that will be unlike anything in the band’s 31-year history. either. It would be great to cover Finnish [prog]

“We always try to start from a clean table,” Koivusaari explains. “I’d say there is some more bands someday. Who knows what the future brutal heavy stuff. Also, some more progressive stuff as well. Not to forget the melodies. Some of holds?” —CHRIS DICK

STUDIO SHORT SHOTS

ROAD DOGS GOATWHORE BECOME STUDIO DOGS, TRACK EIGHTH LP

“With the rug of playing live—and you know how much we love to play live— ripped from underneath us, I figured the next best thing would be to write a record,” explains Goatwhore guitarist Sammy Duet, expressing a not-uncommon action during these days of death. After meticulously writing their eighth full-length, the quartet decamped to Studio in the Country, located in tiny Bogalusa, LA, an hour north of their NOLA home.

“We didn’t even know this place existed,” Duet admits. “The cool thing is that it wasn’t a converted space; it was designed and built to be a recording studio. Kansas’ Leftoverture was recorded here. Cinderella and Marilyn Manson have been here, the Dirty Dancing soundtrack was done here. It’s pretty legendary, and the equipment is high-quality, vintage and fantastic.”

With drummer Zack Simmons’ tracks wrapped, Duet has dialed in his tone and is eager to rip guitars on what he’s describing as “a way more aggressive record than [2017’s] Vengeful Ascension. It’s going to be a lot darker with some experimental moments, but still us and definitely the next step in our evolution.”