Queen of Time

Queen of Time, released in 2018, represents the peak of Amorphis's collaboration with producer Jens Bogren. While its predecessor, Under the Red Cloud, focused on a punchier, heavier approach, Queen of Time leans heavily into progressive and symphonic elements. The album is notable for being the first to feature a real choir and orchestral strings, moving away from the purely synthesized arrangements of their past. It also marks the return of original bassist Olli-Pekka Laine after a 17-year absence. Lyrically, the album continues the band's deep dive into Finnish mythology, specifically the Kalevala, but framed through a more universal lens of human history and the cycles of nature. The inclusion of Anneke van Giersbergen on 'Amongst Stars' and the use of a saxophone on 'Daughter of Hate' are cited by critics as highlights that showcase the band's willingness to evolve. It is widely considered one of the strongest entries in their modern era, successfully blending their 90s death metal origins with 70s prog-rock sensibilities.