> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thisdayinmetal.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Showing Us the Path to Follow: An Interview with Tomi Koivusaari (Amorphis) - URL: https://www.thisdayinmetal.com/showing-us-the-path-to-follow-an-interview-with-tomi-koivusaari-amorphis/ - Published: 2026-11-12T11:53:14.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-12T11:53:14.000Z - Author: Ed Hackimer - Tags: Interviews, #interviews, Amorphis, Tomi Koivusaari, Tomi Joutsen, Children of Bodom, Norther, Entombed, Mayhem, Darkthrone, Mikko Karmila, Finnvox Studios When **Tomi Koivusaari** and his bandmates in **Amorphis** started out back in 1990, forming from the ashes of death metal precursors **Abhorrence** and **Violent Solution,** it's doubtful they had any idea just how influential the group would become in the world of Finnish extreme metal. After all, the scene itself only consisted of a handful of bands who were pushing beyond the speed metal standard set by countrymen **Stone**, inspired by the likes of **Slayer** and **Morbid Angel.** Where **Amorphis** differed from bands across that northern region back then is that they incorporated their own unique tastes early on, using keyboards, folk-influenced riffs, and the introduction of some clean vocals with traditional Finnish lyrics that created their distinct sound, epitomized by 1994’s *Tales from the Thousand Lakes* that gained them international recognition. It was on the back of that landmark record that **Amorphis** became the first Finnish extreme metal band to tour the United States that same year with **Entombed,** who they had looked up to from their early days. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/e2/dbe2ac7e-62ef-4b13-917a-63221a045127/content/images/2026/11/images-1-1.jpg) Amorphis back in those early days. Though conditions on that first journey through North America were difficult to put it mildly, **Amorphis** was blazing a trail that many aspiring Finnish metal musicians would follow shortly after. The band’s success in popularizing an extreme style of music was inspiring to those starting out back home, showing them that a band from Finland could play high-caliber death metal and become internationally known. The flourish of innovative, creative, and vibrant bands in the mid-to-late 1990s across the country stands as a testament to the pioneering effect **Amorphis** had, with many of these bands following the path the group had set forth just a few years prior. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/e2/dbe2ac7e-62ef-4b13-917a-63221a045127/content/images/2026/11/amorphis-2021.jpg) Jan, Oppu, Esa, Tomi J., Sande, and Tomi K. in more current times. Now, after releasing 15 studio albums and circumnavigated the globe many times over, including a recent run across four continents and nine countries a little over a month ago, **Amorphis** is coming back to North America in support of their latest release, 2025’s *Borderland*. Ahead of the first date of the tour, I had a chance to catch up with **Tomi K.** about the upcoming shows, and a number of other topics, including: - how he feels about *Borderland* now that it’s been out in the world for a year, their latest run across the world in support of the album, the incredible amount of traveling and jet lag he’s experienced, and his personal preferences for touring. - **Amorphis’** collaboration with **Insomnium** on “The Hour Grows Late” and how he felt delivering his trademark growls on record again, whether he will join **Insomnium** in stage to play the song, the logistical difficulties of performing at a 500-year old Finnish castle, and a special appearance from his **Abhorrence** bandmate and **Opeth** drummer **Waltteri Väyrynen** on this run. - **Tomi’s** experience opening for **Darkthrone** in 1989 and hanging out at the **Mayhem** house in Norway, how difficult it is to pick a setlist when you have fifteen albums, memories from the band’s first tour through the United States and gratitude for improved accommodations. - old stories from sharing a rehearsal space with **Children of Bodom** and **Norther** back in the day at **Nosturi** including finding **CoB’s** missing contract with **Spinefarm**, recollections of working with **Mikko Karmila** at **Finnvox Studios** before his passing, **Tomi’s** decision to step down as vocalist to focus on guitar, and the crticial role **Tomi Joutsen** has played in the band’s resurgence. - reflections about the importance of **Amorphis** in the scope of influencing and inspiring the vibrant Finnish metal scene that we know and love today. You can watch the entire interview **HERE:** As **Tomi** will attest, while many things surrounding the band have changed, including the touring conditions, the goals of the band have not. With each subsequent release, Amorphis is still trying to make their best record yet and tour the world, just as they set out to do when the band formed in 1990\. With *Borderland,* they have produced another classic that follows in a long line of fantastic material the group has delivered in over the last three and a half decades. And just as before, there are countless musicians back home in Finland who are finding inspiration from the trailblazing work like they did back in the early 1990s and setting their sights on similar feats, following in the wake of that first journey across the Atlantic. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/e2/dbe2ac7e-62ef-4b13-917a-63221a045127/content/images/2026/11/TomiKoivusaari_2023-scaled.jpg) --- **Amorphis'** co-headlining tour with **Insomnium** kicks off next week on November 17th with a show at **Paradise Rock Club** in **Boston** and runs through December 19th at **Irving Plaza** in **New York City.** Ticket information can be found by clicking the link below. [Amorphis Official WebsiteOfficial website for Finnish metallers Amorphis![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/e2/dbe2ac7e-62ef-4b13-917a-63221a045127/content/images/icon/favicon-32x32-fd089508-04fd-48b1-bbb1-af8259c6a747.png)Amorphis Official Website![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/e2/dbe2ac7e-62ef-4b13-917a-63221a045127/content/images/thumbnail/amorphis_meta_preview_c27ad1a556-8b45bda3-821d-4591-81c4-fc2b80ddca0a.jpg)](https://amorphis.net/tour?ref=thisdayinmetal.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/e2/dbe2ac7e-62ef-4b13-917a-63221a045127/content/images/2026/11/Screen-Shot-2026-11-11-at-3.10.49-PM.png) --- If you haven't already, you can pick up a copy of **Amorphis'** fifteenth studio album *Borderland* by clicking on the album cover below. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/e2/dbe2ac7e-62ef-4b13-917a-63221a045127/content/images/2026/11/Amorphis-Borderland.jpg)](https://www.amorphis.shop/?ref=thisdayinmetal.com) --- Check out the video for **Insomnium's** "The Hour Grows Late," the track off their latest album *Netherworlds* that features **Tomi K., Tomi J.,** and **Santeri Kallio** of **Amorphis**, here: