An Evening With Friends at Huvila — Amorphis

This is not the Amorphis of thunderous riffs and guttural roars; it is the band at their most vulnerable and atmospheric. Recorded at the Huvila Tent during the Helsinki Festival, the album strips away the metallic sheen to reveal the folk-driven heart of their songwriting.

It feels like a campfire gathering for the modern age, where ancient Finnish myths are whispered rather than shouted. The inclusion of guest musicians on saxophone and flutes adds a sophisticated, almost jazzy layer to the progressive arrangements, making these familiar songs feel entirely new.

Moments Worth Listening For

the transition from the delicate piano intro of my kantele into its full acoustic swing

the way the saxophone weaves through the melody of house of sleep, turning a metal anthem into a jazz-inflected ballad

the hushed silence of the helsinki crowd between notes, emphasizing the fragile beauty of the arrangements

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Where This Album Departs

How does An Evening With Friends at Huvila sound next to the rest of Amorphis's catalogue?

This album stays in step with the catalogue across the board — no axis departs enough to be worth its own note. Hover the dots to see where each one sits.

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