AMORPHIS Unveils Upcoming Album ‘Borderland’; Debut Single ‘Light And Shadow’ Set for Release Next Week

The Finnish melancholic progressive metal band AMORPHIS is set to unveil their fifteenth studio album, “Borderland”, on September 26, released by Reigning Phoenix Music. This new album follows the 2022 release of “Halo” and was recorded earlier this year at Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark, under the guidance of producer Jacob Hansen.

AMORPHIS guitarist Esa Holopainen shared: “‘Borderland’ marks our first album produced alongside Danish producer Jacob Hansen. Prior to this, we created three fantastic records with Jens Bogren. During the project’s planning stage, we felt it was time to venture into new territory and see what the collaboration with a different producer could offer!”

To introduce “Borderland”, a fresh single titled “Light And Shadow” will debut on June 6.

Hansen has been providing high-quality audio production for two decades, having produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered numerous influential artists in heavy music, including VOLBEAT, ARCH ENEMY, AMARANTHE, KATATONIA, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, PRETTY MAIDS, EPICA, DELAIN, and EVERGREY.

In June 2024, Tomi Koivusaari, guitarist for AMORPHIS, was asked by The Chill Dude On A Couch about the musical direction of the band’s new tracks. Tomi responded: “Everyone has created some songs, but we haven’t shared them with each other yet. I haven’t heard what the others are doing; I only know what I’ve worked on. I’m uncertain which songs will end up on the album, but we will find out. We have a new producer now. Our last three albums were with Jens Bogren, so we’re heading in a new direction.”

The band’s fourteenth studio album, “Halo”, was released in February 2022 through Atomic Fire Records.

Produced by Bogren, “Halo” was described in a press release as a “progressive, melodic, and quintessentially melancholic heavy masterwork.”

Continuing the tradition of previous AMORPHIS albums, “Halo” showcased the imaginative and poetic storytelling of renowned lyricist and “Kalevala” specialist Pekka Kainulainen.

Three years ago, Esa Holopainen revealed to Westword that the band has since evolved and “is not as radical” as it once was.

“In the past, we pursued our artistic freedom a bit intensely,” he mentioned. “As musicians, we needed to do that to avoid stagnation. Nowadays, we weave various new nuances and influences into our music quite skillfully. Despite incorporating different elements from various genres and even ethnic music, we manage to blend them cohesively without losing our identity.”

This past summer and fall, AMORPHIS and DARK TRANQUILLITY teamed up for a North American tour. The tour kicked off on September 3, 2024, in Richmond, Virginia, and wrapped up on October 6, 2024, in New York City, with support from FIRES IN THE DISTANCE.