“Amorphis” Interview with Tomi Koivusaari
We have the pleasure of interviewing to Tomi Koivusaari guitarrist and founder of the legendary Heavy Metal Band from Finland “Amorphis”, Founded in 1990. The band celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2020 with a set of three live shows, each covering songs from one decade. Over 3 decades they have released 13 albums influencing metalheads around the world, maintaining the unique and characteristic sound.
Hi Tomi thank you so much for the time to give us this interview
SUNRAY: Amorphis’ sound over the years has evolved from Death Metal to a more amelodic, progressive, and folk metal, any chance to return to your original sound now?
Tomi Koivusaari: Well there is a reason for natural changes of course; we were very young when we formed the band and naturally our musical influences, skills and band’s chemistry has led us where we are now. I can see us going to harder expression, why not, but going back to original sound, that would be quite forced situation. We want to see the band going forwards, not backwards.
SUNRAY: In 2022 you released the album “Halo” What are the differences that this album has compared to previous albums?
Tomi Koivusaari: There is different songs at least, haha. It’s hard to say any specific differences but I think we are, at least our goal is, to find new nuances and things all the time when recording new album. I guess ”Halo” is very natural progression from previous ”Queen of Time”. We’ll see how the next one will sound.
SUNRAY: It was produced by Jens Bogren, how was it working with him?
Tomi Koivusaari: Just great, as all 3 previous ones. Jens is very strict and demanding producer, personally I like it that way. He puts all his effort to album, same as band does. With next album we will try with another producer, not because we are not happy with Jens, but it is refreshing to try something else once in a while.
SUNRAY: How does your creative process work, do all members contribute equally or is there one main songwriter?
Tomi Koivusaari: We all are writing songs, but Esa and Santeri are easily most productive in this matter. It’s cool, we never had the problem that having enough songs. Too many maybe, haha.
SUNRAY: Do you have any favorite songs from “Halo”?
Tomi Koivusaari: I like them all, some of them are funnier to play live and some just sound better. And it changes every time I’m thinking about it. So I will pick right this moment Windmane. Maybe because we haven’t play it live yet so cannot got too bored for it.
SUNRAY: How do you see the present and future of metal in the world?
Tomi Koivusaari:: To be honest I haven’t followed that much present metal bands, except very few great ones. I’m kinda stocked to more old school when it comes to metal. So many today’s metal bands sound so compressed and soulless, not all of course, there are great newcomers as well. In future I hope there will be young bands more, not just as old geezers.
SUNRAY: During all these years, you released several albums and singles, What is your favorite song to perform?
Tomi Koivusaari:: That is hard one. It depends on mood. I will pick now The Bee, it has many different elements in it and it’s fun to play.
SUNRAY: You are coming to Argentina (at the Icarus Music Fest) with a Halo Latin America tour. So, I won’t spoil too much, but, What can you tell us about the next concerts?
Tomi Koivusaari: It will be part of our ”Halo-Tour” still, but we will play stuff from our whole career, not just new stuff. It’s great to be back in Argentina, been too long since last time and we all looking forward to that!
Thank you so much guys for this interview! We’ll cover your concert next April 23 In Argentina!!! We can’t wait to see you in action!! All the best!
Thank you, maybe see you and take care!Tomi K
Interview by Maria Fernanda Capici
Special thanks to Carolin Büttner
Agent, Promoter & Personal Assistant to Jouni Markkanen
