Interview | Ben Varon And Ari Koivunen Of Amoral
Ari Koivunen
I thought this was an interesting story. A Finnish band called Amoral that was well known as a death metal band with typical guttural growling for vocals (something I cannot listen to) did a complete 180 degree turn for their fourth album and enlisted the services of an accomplished vocalist in Ari Koivunen. The record titled, ‘Show Your Colors‘ is amazing, and I am now a fan of the band. Posted below is a video of the song ‘Leave Your Dead Behind‘ with original singer, Niko Kalliojärvi, and then two video’s of the songs, ‘Year of the Sucker Punch‘ and ‘Gave Up Easy‘ with new singer, Ari Koivunen. What a difference, what do you think of the bands new direction?
After three accomplished technical death metal albums, 2004’s ‘Wound Creations‘, 2005’s ‘Decrowning‘ and 2007’s ‘Reptile Ride‘ and three extensive European tours, Amoral had to endure the loss of their vocalist Niko Kalliojärvi, who left the band due to his diminished motivation which may or may not have had something to do with the musical direction the band was moving to. The more melodic side of Amoral’s songwriting reared its head already on Reptile Ride in songs like Snake Skin Saddle and Mute, but it is only now, on their 4th outing Show Your Colors, that the curve balls have become the main course.
Change for the better
While the change became imminent, why wouldn’t they go all the way? Next thing you know, Amoral rocked the boat by enlisting the services of Ari Koivunen, the one and only Idols talent show winner in the Universe who has won the show singing heavy metal and hard rock standards. While maybe upsetting some of the band’s old fans, the entry of Koivunen, who himself has released a Double Platinum selling debut album and another that exceeded the Gold limit, is sure as taxes and death, to raise the Helsinki rockers to the lips of a wider audience.
Show Your Colors
In musical terms the band’s 4th album is an about-turn, replacing the dominance of quirky death metal with an exemplary display of riff-driven, heavy, yet melodic power groove and the occasional sing-along chorus, thus owing in equal measures to the likes of Skid Row and Pantera. The change doesn’t end with vocals and style, though, ‘Show Your Colors‘ is also the recording debut for Amoral’s new bassist Pekka Johansson whose pulsating bass lines prove, the newcomer can keep up with the Amoral traits of old and new alike: Amoral has always been recognized for their exceptional skill, and never has it been as obvious as now.
Amoral prove they’ve got what it takes to go against the grain, against the odds, against the world. Do you? Show Your Colors!
Listen to my interview with Amoral guitarist Ben Varon and vocalist Ari Koivunen and hear what they had to say about the bands new direction and what struggles they have endured since making that decision on The Rockphiles below.
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3 Responses to “Interview | Ben Varon And Ari Koivunen Of Amoral”
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Singing, growling…as long as it’s done well, I can appreciate and enjoy it. I listen to a lot of different music, and I happen to be a huge fan of many Finnish metal bands like Nightwish, Sonata Arctica, Altaria, Cain’s Offering, Stratovarius, Circle of Contempt, Symfonia, E-vil Spirit (Elias Viljanen’s solo band), Wintersun, Tarot, Thunderstone, Kotipelto, and The Northern Kings. Amoral, regardless of their vocal style, kicks ass, and I really enjoy their music. They are a great band, and I’m eagerly anticipating their new release! I’d love to see the band come to the U.S. soon, maybe on tour with Sonata Arctica!
Kusti,
Thanks for listening to the interview, I’m glad you liked it. I myself have voted for AMORAL in the Briggs & Stratton Battle of the bands and I urge all AMORAL fans to do the same.
Robert
Hi there! Thanks for the interview. It’s always cool to hear someone not from Finland is as fond of Amoral as we finns are
Btw. Amoral might play in the U.S. very soon! They’re doing very well in this Battle of The Bands -contest
http://www.myspace.com/briggsbattleofthebands
Greetings from Finland
Kusti