On June 9 Amorphis will release their first ever DVD/CD digibook in honor of their 20th anniversary. The first DVD will feature the band's iconic concert in Oulu, Finland that took place on November 20, 2009. The second DVD will showcase the band’s performance at the Summer Breeze Open Air Festival in 2009. In addition to the DVDs you will find a picture disc and two CDs chronicling the bands career as well as a Tales From The 20 Years documentary. No word yet on a US release of the pack, but I’m sure in due time it will make its way over our oil spotted pond -- in the meantime or if it doesn't, I think Nuclear Blast Europe (the label through which this DVD/CD will be released) will ship to the US, but it might cost you limb to get. 

I have followed Amorphis from their humble beginnings as the melodic-death metal band that put out 'Tales From The Thousand Lakes' to their current state, a folky, pop-infused doom outfit. I have loved almost every album ( 'Silent Waters' was just ok for me), but on top of my list is 2009's Skyforger. I think, despite the hate some die-hard fans sent its way, it was a daring and extremely progressive undertaking. And now, Amorphis has released the video for 'From The Heaven Of My Heat' from said album, directed by Owe Lingwall and filmed throughout Finland. Enjoy.

Sentenced From: Finland   Discography: “Shadows of the Past” (1991), “North from Here” (1993), “Amok” (1995), “Down” (1996), “Frozen” (1998), “Crimson” (2000), “The Cold White Light” (2002), “The Funeral Album” (2005)   Sentenced was a doom metal band formed in 1989 and primarily played death metal until 1995’s “Amok”, which ushered in the bands gradual change in style. In 2005, Sentenced recorded what would be their farewell album “The Funeral Album”. A few years later in 2009, guitarist and founding member Miika Tenkula passed away from a heart attack- ending many peoples hope of a reunion.   Sentenced is missed by fans worldwide. If you haven’t already, go out and buy a few albums- I think you will find each offers something different and meaningful. Fans of Amorphis and Insomnium will appreciate Sentenced. Rest in Peace Miika Tenkula.   Links: www.myspace.com/sentencedband

Amorphis From: Finland   Discography: “The Karelian Isthums” (1992), Tales From the Thousand Lakes” (1994), “Elegy” (1996), “Tuonela” (1999), “Am Universum” (2001), “Far From The Sun” (2003), “Eclipse” (2006), “Silent Waters” (2007), “Skyforger” (2009)   Amorphis started as a melodic death metal band, but in more recent years their style incorporates elements of progressive and doom metal. Formed in 1990, Amorphis recorded four studio albums with vocalist Pasi Koskinen. In 2004 after recording “Far From The Sun”, Pasi left the band. Vocalist Tomi Joutsen of Sinsthra then joined the band and aided in the bands increasingly progressive shift into more diverse styles. The most current line up of Amorphis is:   Tomi Joutsen- vocals Esa Holopainen- guitar Tomi Koivusaari- guirar Niclas Etlavuori- bass Santeri Kallio- keyboards Jan Rechberger- drums   I love Amorphis because its kind of like getting two bands in one. From 1992-2003 you have a very progressive, hateful, melodic death metal band that showed steady betterment through the years and helped define a genre. Then from 2006’s “Eclipse” on you have a more defined, groundbreaking, Kalevala inspired work of progressive metal awesomeness. Got out and get “Tales From The Thousand Lakes” then “Skyforger” then everything in between. Amorphis will attract fans of Sentenced, Katatonia and Insomnium.