Privilege of Evil

Recorded in 1991 but not released until late 1993, Privilege of Evil serves as a vital bridge between Amorphis's debut album and their more experimental future. While the band eventually became synonymous with melodic, folk-inspired progressive metal, this EP is a pure distillation of early 90s Finnish death metal. The tracks were originally intended for a split release with the band Incantation, which explains the darker, more primitive aesthetic compared to their later work. The production is famously raw, characterized by a 'muddy' mix that emphasizes the low-end frequencies and gives the drums a thudding, organic quality. Lyrically, the album moves away from the Kalevala themes of their later career, focusing instead on existential despair, death, and anti-religious sentiment. It remains a cult favorite for fans of the 'Abhorrence' era of the band, representing their most aggressive and uncompromising sonic period.