The Karelian Isthmus [Original recording remastered] [Extra tracks]

The Karelian Isthmus [Original recording remastered] [Extra tracks]

The Karelian Isthmus [Original recording remastered] [Extra tracks]

Track Listings
 
1. Karelia
2. Gathering
3. Grail's Mysteries
4. Warriors Trail
5. Black Embrace
6. Exile of the Sons of Uisliu
7. Lost Name of God
8. Pilgrimage
9. Misery Path
10. Sign from the North Side
11. Vulgar Necrolatry
12. Pilgrimage from Darkness [*]
13. Black Embrace [*]
14. Privilege of Evil [*]
15. Misery Path [*]
16. Vulgar Necrolatry [*]
17. Excursing from Existence [*]

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Full Title - The Karelian Isthmus / Privilege Of Evil. Relapse has re-issued this long out-of-print classic in a special deluxe edition. The Karelian Isthmus has been re-mastered, re-packaged, and features six bonus tracks taken from the bands first recording for Relapse (The Privilege of Evil session), 'Pilgrimage From Darkness', 'Black Embrace', 'Privilege Of Evil', 'Misery Path', 'Vulgar Necrolatry' & 'Excursing From Existance'. 2003.

The Karelian Isthmus,Amorphis,Relapse,Death Metal/Black Metal,Heavy Metal,Pop,Rock,Scandinavian Metal
The Karelian Isthmus
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Brutal Beginnings
  • it's unfair of me to be disappointed but I am
  • SAY IT WITH ME..CONCEPT ALBUM!!!!! CONCEPT LBUM!!!!!
  • A strong and simple death metal album
  • Imaginative epic death metal
 The Karelian Isthmus
Amorphis
Manufacturer: Relapse
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Death MetalDeath Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
MetalMetal | Hard Rock & Metal | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Tales From the Thousand Lakes
  2. Elegy
  3. Tuonela
  4. Am Universum
  5. Far from the Sun

ASIN: B00007FZEX
Release Date: 2003-01-21

Tracks:

  1. Karelia
  2. Gathering
  3. Grail's Mysteries
  4. Warriors Trail
  5. Black Embrace
  6. Exile of the Sons of Uisliu
  7. Lost Name of God
  8. Pilgrimage
  9. Misery Path
  10. Sign from the North Side
  11. Vulgar Necrolatry
  12. Pilgrimage from Darkness [*]
  13. Black Embrace [*]
  14. Privilege of Evil [*]
  15. Misery Path [*]
  16. Vulgar Necrolatry [*]
  17. Excursing from Existence [*]

Album Description

Full Title - The Karelian Isthmus / Privilege Of Evil. Relapse has re-issued this long out-of-print classic in a special deluxe edition. The Karelian Isthmus has been re-mastered, re-packaged, and features six bonus tracks taken from the bands first recording for Relapse (The Privilege of Evil session), 'Pilgrimage From Darkness', 'Black Embrace', 'Privilege Of Evil', 'Misery Path', 'Vulgar Necrolatry' & 'Excursing From Existance'. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Brutal Beginnings.......2007-04-04

Originally released in 1992, the Karelian Isthmus was the debut album from Amorphis, a band whose innovative blend of death, gothic, and progressive metal would make them one of the most renowned names in extreme metal. In 1992 however, Amorphis was a straightforward death metal band. You won't find any unique instrumental experimentation or clean vocals here, just fast, heavy, and brutal death metal. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that the band drew inspiration for this album from Finnish folk tales, you'd be hard pressed to tell it was Amorphis in the first place.

I'm not knocking this album. As death metal albums go, it's pretty good, but it's also very much a product of its time, before bands like At the Gates, Opeth, and yes Amorphis would go on to push the boundaries of the genre and create such impressive new sounds. Taken in context with the rest of the band's impressive output, the Karelian Isthmus seems pretty basic, and doesn't serve much purpose other than to say "this is where it all started."

The bottom line is this: If you're a serious old school death metal fan, you're going to love the Karelian Isthmus. If you're a serious Amorphis fan, you're probably going to pick this up just to complete your collection, and will rarely take it off the shelf.

NOTE: The 2003 reissue of the Karelian Isthmus features the complete 6-song Privilege of Evil EP as bonus tracks. These tracks are, if anything, even more raw and brutal than those on the Karelian Isthmus, and have a much darker, more patently sinister approach.

3 out of 5 stars it's unfair of me to be disappointed but I am.......2006-06-27

Amorphis' debut album, The Karelian Isthmus, was originally issued with the tag "Purveyors of Fine Grind", which is ultimately a misnomer; this is not in the loosest sense of the word deathgrind; it is well crafted mid-paced death metal from start to finish. Slower passages are broken up by thrashier blast-beat passages, but instead of bringing home the intensity of the band's doom-laiden atmosphere, it only points out how slow and careful the music is. Too careful, in my opinion. After the fourth or fifth track the band's formula becomes all too predictable and the cd has yet to keep my interest well enough to listen to the whole thing in a single sitting. The primary faults are the songs are too formulaic, too long, without enough going on to justify song lengths and the albums overall length (over an hour). The "Privilege of Evil" EP packaged at the end of the reissue is raw demo material consisting primarily of songs from the full-length, and is worth missing. To sum up, I'm glad I have this album, as Amorphis display a sound here that I have yet to hear elsewhere, a kind of epic, atmospheric deathchurner. However, it's not one I listen to often, and never all the way through.

5 out of 5 stars SAY IT WITH ME..CONCEPT ALBUM!!!!! CONCEPT LBUM!!!!!.......2005-10-08

Yes..a CONCEPT album..based on the KARELIAN ISTHMUS..a russian book of tale's of old!!

This is flat out..BEAUTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it sound's like the earth is inside your house when this is on!!! I mean this is something so personal for me..I cant beleive I am gonna review this album!!! BUT IT MUST BE DONE!!!

EACH SONG IS IT's OWN ALBUM..MUCH TIME WAS PUT INTO THESE!!!

THE GUITAR''s WEEP..THEY SLICE..THEY CUT..THEY BURN..THEY MOVE..THEY..EVERYTHING!! and the druming /bass playing is TOP NOTCH!! and the VOKILL's do NOT crap out..these are rough as hell for MELODIC DEATH METAL!!! but this was the first of that gerne so of course everything here is PERFECT!!

This has a brother..and that is SENTENCED's ''NORTH FROM HERE'' which will get a review by me soon!! also this could be comapred to DEMILICH another FINNISH DEATH METAL band..whom I reviewed as well! but this sound's like no other at the end of the day!! and ARGHOLSENT can be a compariosn to this!!! one of the best band's ever..a band that has not SOLD OUT like AMORPHIS..SO DO CHECK THEM OUT!!

Now the re-release here is worth getting because it has the track's from the ''privilage of evil'' ep added on the end of it..which make's a nice combo!!

THIS IS WHEN AMORPHIS WAS GOD!! THEY NOW SUCK..IGNORE THEIR CURRENT FECES!! WHY DO THE BEST BAND's ALWAYS DIE OUT?? PARADISE LOST..KATATONIA..ANATHEMA..they all died!! SKREW THEM!! but buy their early album's!!!!!!

JUST ANOTHER ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVE's...BUY THIS IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW IT FELT TO LIVE IN ANCIENT TIME's..JUST TIMELESS PEREFECTION!!!

''IN THIS LAND OF HATRED..THE NAME OF GOD IS LOST''

4 out of 5 stars A strong and simple death metal album.......2004-06-23

I purchased this Amorphis album thinking it was going to be like their later, more progressive and diverse releases. I was quite shocked to find out that it was a dark death metal album, although I was pleasantly surprised! This is a very dark and heavy metal album that is both simple and talented. I am quite pleased with this early style that Amorphis had. The guitar riffs are definitely the highlight of the album, having a dark and heavy tone reminiscent of Celtic Frost. After the great atmospheric acoustic track "Karelia", there is no let up on the relentless death metal attack. The album also diverts into more of a doomy and slow sound, although the elements of early death metal - complete with the low growls of Tomi Kivusaari - remain. It is a concept album of some sort of war - I believe it is a Finnish folk tale although it sounds like a tale of the Crusades. My favorite song is "Vulgar Necrolatry", a fast paced canticle praising necromance. The bonus tracks are pretty good but I would be just as happy without them.

Overall I recommend "The Karelian Isthmus" to anyone who is looking for a dark death metal album, but isn't seeking anything excessively brutal.

5 out of 5 stars Imaginative epic death metal.......2003-02-03

Cut from the simplest of forms, this album shapes basic songs into intense small narratives of events in a Finnish national epic. Melodic but thunderous death metal riffing surges on the beat and transitions smoothly between passages which have to some degree musical "profundity," in that they resemble that of which they are sung with a grace and integrity. Although much of these songs show the youth of the band at the time, as a whole the achievement of this album is an insightful and intense portrayal of combat and passion as one and the same.
The Karelian Isthmus
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Brutal Beginning
  • A SOLID ALBUM BY THIS GREAT BAND.
  • A great album
  • The birth of Amorphis....
  • Amazing music
 The Karelian Isthmus
Amorphis
Manufacturer: Relapse Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Death MetalDeath Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
MetalMetal | Hard Rock & Metal | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Tales From the Thousand Lakes
  2. Mindloss
  3. Onward to Golgotha

ASIN: B00000111F
Release Date: 1992-11-20

Tracks:

  1. Karelia
  2. The Gathering
  3. Grail's Mysteries
  4. Warriors Trail
  5. Black Embrace
  6. Exile Of The Sons Of Uisliu
  7. The Lost Name Of God
  8. The Pilgrimage
  9. Misery Path
  10. Sign From The North Side
  11. Vulgar Necrolatry (Bonus Track)

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Brutal Beginning.......2007-04-04

Originally released in 1992, the Karelian Isthmus was the debut album from Amorphis, a band whose innovative blend of death, gothic, and progressive metal would make them one of the most renowned names in extreme metal. In 1992 however, Amorphis was a straightforward death metal band. You won't find any unique instrumental experimentation or clean vocals here, just fast, heavy, and brutal death metal. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that the band drew inspiration for this album from Finnish folk tales, you'd be hard pressed to tell it was Amorphis in the first place.

I'm not knocking this album. As death metal albums go, it's pretty good, but it's also very much a product of its time, before bands like At the Gates, Opeth, and yes Amorphis would go on to push the boundaries of the genre and create such impressive new sounds. Taken in context with the rest of the band's impressive output, the Karelian Isthmus seems pretty basic, and doesn't serve much purpose other than to say "this is where it all started."

The bottom line is this: If you're a serious old school death metal fan, you're going to love the Karelian Isthmus. If you're a serious Amorphis fan, you're probably going to pick this up just to complete your collection, and will rarely take it off the shelf.

4 out of 5 stars A SOLID ALBUM BY THIS GREAT BAND........2004-01-28

This cd was pretty good in my opinion but I still enjoyed tales from the thousand lakes even more.This album sounds similar to the tales album but is more rawer and faster.I would recommend this cd to any fan of this band or of doom metal in general.

4 out of 5 stars A great album.......2002-01-18

With the band's 1992 release, "Karelian Isthmus", Amorphis emerged from Scandinavia's death metal scene, compiling synthesizers to their new adventurous sound. Stepping away from the brutal death roots, Amorphis enters its Death/Doom stage. This album is deadlier than any of the later Amorphis CDs but more atmosperic and majestic than "Privilege Of Evil". Not one thing is missing on the disc and the keyboards are used very smartly. The album's lyrical themes are rooted in Scandinavian folklore and the record's artwork rounds up the album perfectly.

4 out of 5 stars The birth of Amorphis...........2002-01-10

The first full-length release from Finland's Amorphis not only stands out as a gem in the band's own personal music annals, but shines brightly as one of pioneer albums of the doom/black metal genre as well.

Any fan of Amorphis can tell you of the group's fluid evolution from death metal growls to clean vocals, from furious guitar riffs to keyboard laden melodies... one album never intimately resembles the next. However, regardless of which album you listen to, you'll know its Amorphis as soon as you hear the first track... this amazingly talented group has a beautiful way of weaving their soul into each and every song they write and perform.

"Karelian Isthmus" is the rawest of the Amorphis releases... this is no-holds barred epic doom/death metal from a group of guys who know how to do it right. Amorphis set themselves apart from similar artists of the time in two distinct ways: intricacy and innovation.

Yes, the guitars and percussion on this album are raw and hard, but NEVER do they come across as sloppy or forced. Each note, each chord, each second of every song is performed with an intricacy so sharp and amazingly beautiful it will absolutely numb your ears and mind.

At a time when so many people seemed to think death metal was nothing but growling and screaming in front of a blaring electric guitar and a set of drums, Amorphis shows up on the scene with keyboards, dueling guitars, and a decent amount of acoustical work on their first full-length release.

Overall, this album is somewhat similar to Tales from the Thousand Lakes, but with a little less complexity and less layering... solid, raw epic death metal coupled with impressive musical innovation truly sets this album apart from its contemporaries as well as the majority of metal releases we see (and hear) at present time.

4 out of 5 stars Amazing music.......2001-03-29

Amorphis members were teenagers (16-18 years) in this record, that is something that emphasizes the greatness of the music.

Guitarists are greater than many adult guitarists, they are simply amazing. This record is a great part of the history of the evolution of black metal, a must-have.
The Karelian Isthmus
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Brutal Beginning
  • A SOLID ALBUM BY THIS GREAT BAND.
  • A great album
  • The birth of Amorphis....
  • Amazing music
 The Karelian Isthmus
Amorphis
Manufacturer: Relapse
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Death MetalDeath Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Tales From the Thousand Lakes
  2. Mindloss
  3. Onward to Golgotha

ASIN: B000025TAH
Release Date: 1992-11-10

Tracks:

  1. Karelia
  2. The Gathering
  3. Grail's Mysteries
  4. Warriors Trail
  5. Black Embrace
  6. Exile Of The Sons Of Uisliu
  7. The Lost Name Of God
  8. The Pilgrimage
  9. Misery Path
  10. Sign From The North Side
  11. Vulgar Necrolatry (Bonus Track)

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Brutal Beginning.......2007-04-04

Originally released in 1992, the Karelian Isthmus was the debut album from Amorphis, a band whose innovative blend of death, gothic, and progressive metal would make them one of the most renowned names in extreme metal. In 1992 however, Amorphis was a straightforward death metal band. You won't find any unique instrumental experimentation or clean vocals here, just fast, heavy, and brutal death metal. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that the band drew inspiration for this album from Finnish folk tales, you'd be hard pressed to tell it was Amorphis in the first place.

I'm not knocking this album. As death metal albums go, it's pretty good, but it's also very much a product of its time, before bands like At the Gates, Opeth, and yes Amorphis would go on to push the boundaries of the genre and create such impressive new sounds. Taken in context with the rest of the band's impressive output, the Karelian Isthmus seems pretty basic, and doesn't serve much purpose other than to say "this is where it all started."

The bottom line is this: If you're a serious old school death metal fan, you're going to love the Karelian Isthmus. If you're a serious Amorphis fan, you're probably going to pick this up just to complete your collection, and will rarely take it off the shelf.

4 out of 5 stars A SOLID ALBUM BY THIS GREAT BAND........2004-01-28

This cd was pretty good in my opinion but I still enjoyed tales from the thousand lakes even more.This album sounds similar to the tales album but is more rawer and faster.I would recommend this cd to any fan of this band or of doom metal in general.

4 out of 5 stars A great album.......2002-01-18

With the band's 1992 release, "Karelian Isthmus", Amorphis emerged from Scandinavia's death metal scene, compiling synthesizers to their new adventurous sound. Stepping away from the brutal death roots, Amorphis enters its Death/Doom stage. This album is deadlier than any of the later Amorphis CDs but more atmosperic and majestic than "Privilege Of Evil". Not one thing is missing on the disc and the keyboards are used very smartly. The album's lyrical themes are rooted in Scandinavian folklore and the record's artwork rounds up the album perfectly.

4 out of 5 stars The birth of Amorphis...........2002-01-10

The first full-length release from Finland's Amorphis not only stands out as a gem in the band's own personal music annals, but shines brightly as one of pioneer albums of the doom/black metal genre as well.

Any fan of Amorphis can tell you of the group's fluid evolution from death metal growls to clean vocals, from furious guitar riffs to keyboard laden melodies... one album never intimately resembles the next. However, regardless of which album you listen to, you'll know its Amorphis as soon as you hear the first track... this amazingly talented group has a beautiful way of weaving their soul into each and every song they write and perform.

"Karelian Isthmus" is the rawest of the Amorphis releases... this is no-holds barred epic doom/death metal from a group of guys who know how to do it right. Amorphis set themselves apart from similar artists of the time in two distinct ways: intricacy and innovation.

Yes, the guitars and percussion on this album are raw and hard, but NEVER do they come across as sloppy or forced. Each note, each chord, each second of every song is performed with an intricacy so sharp and amazingly beautiful it will absolutely numb your ears and mind.

At a time when so many people seemed to think death metal was nothing but growling and screaming in front of a blaring electric guitar and a set of drums, Amorphis shows up on the scene with keyboards, dueling guitars, and a decent amount of acoustical work on their first full-length release.

Overall, this album is somewhat similar to Tales from the Thousand Lakes, but with a little less complexity and less layering... solid, raw epic death metal coupled with impressive musical innovation truly sets this album apart from its contemporaries as well as the majority of metal releases we see (and hear) at present time.

4 out of 5 stars Amazing music.......2001-03-29

Amorphis members were teenagers (16-18 years) in this record, that is something that emphasizes the greatness of the music.

Guitarists are greater than many adult guitarists, they are simply amazing. This record is a great part of the history of the evolution of black metal, a must-have.
The Karelian Isthmus
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • Brutal Beginning
 The Karelian Isthmus
Amorphis
Manufacturer: Spinefarm
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Death MetalDeath Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005GXXY
Release Date: 1995-06-21

Tracks:

  1. Karelia
  2. Gathering
  3. Grails Mysteries
  4. Warriors Trial
  5. Black Embrace
  6. Exile of the Sons of Uisliu
  7. Lost Name of God
  8. Pilgrimage
  9. Misery Path
  10. Sign From the North Side
  11. Vulgar Necrolatry

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Brutal Beginning.......2007-04-04

Originally released in 1992, the Karelian Isthmus was the debut album from Amorphis, a band whose innovative blend of death, gothic, and progressive metal would make them one of the most renowned names in extreme metal. In 1992 however, Amorphis was a straightforward death metal band. You won't find any unique instrumental experimentation or clean vocals here, just fast, heavy, and brutal death metal. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that the band drew inspiration for this album from Finnish folk tales, you'd be hard pressed to tell it was Amorphis in the first place.

I'm not knocking this album. As death metal albums go, it's pretty good, but it's also very much a product of its time, before bands like At the Gates, Opeth, and yes Amorphis would go on to push the boundaries of the genre and create such impressive new sounds. Taken in context with the rest of the band's impressive output, the Karelian Isthmus seems pretty basic, and doesn't serve much purpose other than to say "this is where it all started."

The bottom line is this: If you're a serious old school death metal fan, you're going to love the Karelian Isthmus. If you're a serious Amorphis fan, you're probably going to pick this up just to complete your collection, and will rarely take it off the shelf.

NOTE: Instead of chasing this expensive import, you'd do well to check out the 2003 reissue of The Karelian Isthmus, which features the complete 6-song Privilege of Evil EP as bonus tracks. These tracks are, if anything, even more raw and brutal than those on the Karelian Isthmus, and have a much darker, more patently sinister approach.
The Karelian Isthmus
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • Brutal Beginning
 The Karelian Isthmus

Manufacturer: Relapse
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Death MetalDeath Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000BOZF

Tracks:

  1. Karelia
  2. The Gathering
  3. Grail's Mysteries
  4. Warriors Trail
  5. Black Embrace
  6. Exile Of The Sons Of Uisliu
  7. The Lost Name Of God
  8. The Pilgrimage
  9. Misery Path
  10. Sign From The North Side
  11. Vulgar Necrolatry (Bonus Track)

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Brutal Beginning.......2007-04-04

Originally released in 1992, the Karelian Isthmus was the debut album from Amorphis, a band whose innovative blend of death, gothic, and progressive metal would make them one of the most renowned names in extreme metal. In 1992 however, Amorphis was a straightforward death metal band. You won't find any unique instrumental experimentation or clean vocals here, just fast, heavy, and brutal death metal. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that the band drew inspiration for this album from Finnish folk tales, you'd be hard pressed to tell it was Amorphis in the first place.

I'm not knocking this album. As death metal albums go, it's pretty good, but it's also very much a product of its time, before bands like At the Gates, Opeth, and yes Amorphis would go on to push the boundaries of the genre and create such impressive new sounds. Taken in context with the rest of the band's impressive output, the Karelian Isthmus seems pretty basic, and doesn't serve much purpose other than to say "this is where it all started."

The bottom line is this: If you're a serious old school death metal fan, you're going to love the Karelian Isthmus. If you're a serious Amorphis fan, you're probably going to pick this up just to complete your collection, and will rarely take it off the shelf.

Music Track:

  1. The Nobodies: 2005 Against All Gods Mix [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]
  2. The Roots of Sepultura [Limited Edition] [Import]
  3. The Will to Kill
  4. The Wretched Spawn/Worm Infested [Explicit Lyrics] [Limited Edition]
  5. There and Back [Import]
  6. Time for Anger, Not Justice
  7. Tribute to Guns N' Roses: Appetite for Reconstruction
  8. Tyranny of Souls [Import]
  9. UFO 1 [Import]
  10. Uncivilization [Explicit Lyrics]

Music Track

music track

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The Network [Explicit Lyrics]

Shape of Things: 60s Groups and Sessions [Import]

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