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Amorphis has gone through many changes and have progressed into a friendly territory on Silent Waters. The songs here are accessible and very melodic, even when compared to albums like Elegy and Tales from the Thousand Lakes. The band still has a distinctly folk flavor, but doesn't have nearly as many death metal-influenced passages as they had in the past. The result is an album that is crystal clear, addictive and heart-warming. Sure, it may not be as adventurous as Elegy is at times, but the songs here have an impact regardless.

Tracks like "Silent Waters" and "Her Alone" will have you humming the tunes long after listening to them. In fact, those two tracks are amongst the most memorable Amorphis has ever penned. The vibe created on the disc is truly pleasant and uplifting. Amorphis has made their music more accessible, but remained true enough to their roots to be compelling. There are other metal bands that aren't nearly as relevant as they used to be after undergoing this familiarizing process. The downside here is that that the songs sound slightly conservative.

The band really needed to produce an album like this at the point they're at in their career, however, and Silent Waters is a welcome addition. I think the album is one of Amorphis' stronger efforts, though it doesn't quite reach Elegy, which I believe is their most fulfilling work overall. I imagine that if Amorphis is able to come up with great new directions on each disc, they should remain interesting for many years to come. Silent Waters comes recommended to any and all metal fans.