"Pasi Koskinen left Amorphis because of lack of motivation."

Amorphis' leader Esa Holopainen introduces the Finish metal sextet's new vocalist. So does Tomi Joutsen ...

Esa Holopainen - guitar

Vassil Varbanov: First question: Please, tell us the story behind Tomi Joutsen joining the band as Amorphis' new vocalist.

E. H.: When Pasi (Koskinen – Amorphis' lead singer from 1996 to 2004) left the band, we started the search for a new vocalist. At first we listened to a lot of demos, because we put an announcement on our website that basically everyone is free to send us their stuff. We were really looking forward to find our new singer, so we listened to quite a lot of demos, but there was not really that kind of voice which would have matched Amorphis. Then we heard about Tomi from a friend of ours - he was playing with him in a small band (Sinisthra) and he told us: "You should try this guy, he's really, really good!" That's how it worked out. We tried Tomi and he became Amorphis' new singer. We knew immediately that it was going to be him - he really matched well, both on a personal and musical level.

V. V.: Well, the logical next question would be: Why did Pasi leave?

E. H.: I think it was because of lack of motivation. He wasn't that motivated anymore, he didn't want to tour, so we had a conversation and decided that perhaps it would be better if he left the band. That's basically all about it.

V. V.: Ok, cool. We'll talk with Tomi in a couple of minutes, too.

E. H.: Ok, excellent.

V. V.: Thanks for being with us, Esa!

E. H.: Thank you! Take care!

Tomi Joutsen - vocals

V. V.: Hi Tomi! Obviously, you're the new guy, so please tell us: Who are you?

Tomi Joutsen: Well, my name is Tomi Joutsen, and I'm the new lead singer in a band called Amorphis. I live in a small city, like one hour away from Helsinki. I've been in this band for about a year now. It's been really interesting so far, and I hope this next year shall be our year!

V. V.: Well, Tomi, were you a big fan of Amorphis before you actually got the chance to join them?

T. J.: Yeah, absolutely. I used to listen to "The Karelian Isthmus" (1992) and "Tales from the Thousand Lakes" (1994). These two albums are really important for me.

V. V.: We can see in the list of your favourites on your website that you really like very much Nick Cave. At the same time, Amorphis has always been a kinda very melancholic band. So, Tomi, what can we say today, is the new Amorphis full-length release "Eclipse" a very melancholic album?

T. J.: Yes, of course it's melancholic, but I think it's heavier than the latest albums. It has melancholic moments, but it also has aggressive moments, as well as beautiful moments... However, I think the main mood is melancholic.

V. V.: Thank you!

T. J.: Thank you, bye!

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