Circle

Released in 2013, Circle marks a significant chapter in Amorphis's middle-period discography. Seeking to break their own established studio routines, the band recruited Peter Tägtgren to produce, resulting in a mix that prioritizes guitar grit over the lush keyboard layers of the 'Skyforger' era. The album is a conceptual departure from their direct adaptations of the Kalevala, instead telling an original story by lyricist Pekka Kainulainen about a protagonist born under an unlucky star who finds strength through ancient Finnish heritage. Sonically, the record is notable for Niclas Etelävuori's use of a five-string bass tuned a whole step down, providing a massive low-end foundation. Critics from Angry Metal Guy and AllMusic praised the album for its renewed energy and the successful integration of folk-prog elements within a more aggressive framework, often citing it as a more focused and 'dangerous' sounding record than its immediate predecessors.