AMORPHIS is a band that doesn't need long introduction. I would just like to point out that the album Tales from the Thousand Lakes turned 30 years old and they recorded the concert performed at the Tavastia club in Helsinki. This live album was released last Friday July 12th by Reigning Phoenix Music, and you can order it directly from the website. On another note, the Finns will embark on a North-American multi-city tour, kicking off in Richmond, VA on September 3rd. Bassist Olli-Pekka Laine talked to us about this and many other topics. Scriptorium is truly honored to have this legendary act that we grew up listening to. Beers up!

AMORPHIS has been active for 34 years, with countless releases and tours all over the world. What’s pumping and fueling you guys these days? “…Impossible to say what the reason is, but I think the band is at least as motivated as in the early days. Seems like there is just a great chemistry and a mutual ambition driving all the members. I personally enjoy touring and writing more than ever…”

What’s the band preparing for the USA Tour with DARK TRANQUILITY this September in terms of set-list? “… Most likely, we will mainly support the Halo-album on this tour as well, but the setlist is definitely revised compared to the previous North American stint. New stuff, but lots of golden oldies as well! …”

If we ask you to transport us to those Disment of Soul and The Karelian Isthmus years, what comes to your mind? Where will you take us? “… I think our main aim was just to play the music we enjoyed and never thought to be big and famous. Our goals were to get some gigs and free beer, ha ha! I remember being a bit uncertain about the future too, since we didn’t tour much back then and lived by the unemployment benefits. It was entirely grass roots level activity, but fun. Many great memories from the early days…”

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We all appreciate that the band is releasing a live version of the almighty Tales from The Thousand Lakes because it is such a majestic and iconic album. Did you have the feeling; felt the energy different, that you were writing such a powerful and mystic album at that time? “… At the time, we were not aware if people would actually like the album or not. All we knew was that we liked the stuff ourselves. Naturally, it felt good that it was received so well, not to talk about its status nowadays. We were actually about to do a Tales -tour around 2020 with Entombed AD in North America and it unfortunately got cancelled due to the pandemic. That was the reason why we decided to record it, because it was our 30th anniversary at the time too…”

Texan cities like Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston will be stricken by this Nordic Invasion. Can you state some words for the Texan metalheads who will come out and support the upcoming tour? “… You can expect to see two Scandinavian metal bands in their prime, playing tight sets and throwing great shows. There will be support by Connecticut’s FIRES IN THE DISTANCE, which is a great band as well. At least I am eagerly waiting to be there, so watch out! …”

Would you like to state some more plans or thoughts of what we can continue to expect from AMORPHIS? “… We are planning to enter the studio almost immediately after the tour and record a new album. We will most likely have some time off from the business after that, but will return to the stages with a bang in the late 2025. That’s the plan, let’s see if it’s going to come to flesh, ha ha!! …”