Amorphis "The Karelian Isthmus (2003 Reissue, Remastered, USA, Relapse Records, RR 6653-2)"

The Karelian Isthmus is the debut studio album by Finnish heavy metal band Amorphis, released in 1992.

Although The Karelian Isthmus took its name from a historic Finnish battleground, Karelian Isthmus, its lyrics focus on Amorphis's well known epic themes from the history of Finnish warfare and religion, but drawing more from Celtic mythology rather than the later traditions of Amorphis's own native land. The epic side is sometimes broken up by the occult lyrical themes in the tracks "Pilgrimage", "Misery Path" and "Black Embrace" that were re-recorded from the Privilege of Evil EP. The album was recorded and released between the recording and release of the EP. Both releases were combined in a 2003 reissue.

This release was the last recorded release to have the original lineup of the band as later on the band would have either additional members or original members quitting. In recent years, songs from this album have been receiving more play during Amorphis' live performances, despite being of a different style than their later works.

Track listing

1. "Karelia" Instrumental Music: T. Koivusaari, E. Holopainen 0:42
2. "The Gathering" Lyrics: E. Holopainen Music: T. Koivusaari 4:12
3. "Grail's Mysteries" Lyrics: E. Holopainen Music: E. Holopainen 3:02
4. "Warriors Trial" Lyrics: E. Holopainen Music: T. Koivusaari, E. Holopainen 5:04
5. "Black Embrace" Lyrics: J. Rechberger Music: T. Koivusaari, E. Holopainen 3:38
6. "The Exile of the Sons of Uisliu" Lyrics: E. Holopainen Music: E. Holopainen 3:43
7. "The Lost Name of God" Lyrics: J. Rechberger Music: E. Holopainen, T. Koivusaari, J. Rechberger 5:32
8. "The Pilgrimage" Lyrics: E. Holopainen Music: T. Koivusaari 4:39
9. "Misery Path" Lyrics: E. Holopainen Music: E. Holopainen, T. Koivusaari, J. Rechberger 4:17
10. "The Sign from the North Side" Lyrics: E. Holopainen Music: E. Holopainen, T. Koivusaari, O.P. Laine 4:54
11. "Vulgar Necrolatry (Abhorrence cover)" Lyrics: J. Ahlroth Music: T. Koivusaari 4:21

Total length: 44:04

2003 Reissue (Privilege of Evil EP)

1. "Pilgrimage from Darkness" Amorphis 4:32
2. "Black Embrace" E. Holopainen, T. Koivusaari, J. Rechberger 3:25
3. "Privilege of Evil" Amorphis 3:50
4. "Misery Path" E. Holopainen, T. Koivusaari, J. Rechberger 4:17
5. "Vulgar Necrolatry" T. Koivusaari, J. Ahlroth 3:58
6. "Excursing from Existence" Amorphis 3:06

Total length: 01:07:45

Tracks 12-17 Privilege of Evil EP.

The Privilege of Evil tracks were taken from an aborted split release with Incantation.

Recording information:

The Karelian Isthmus:

Recorded and mixed at Sunlight Studios, May 92.

Produced by Tomas Skogsberg & Amorphis.

Remastered at Visceral Sound.

Privilege of Evil:

Recorded and mixed at TTT Studio, Helsinki, May 1991.

Produced by Amorphis.