Helsinki, Finland-based metallers AMORAL are now a six-piece, having reunited with their original vocalist Niko Kalliojärvi. Kalliojärvi’s return has been in the worls since last year, and he will be largely present on the band’s seventh studio album, which is currently being written for a tentative early 2016 release.
”Damnation! The AMORAL gigs I’ve done cameos at during the last few years have been fun experiences, so when I was asked to come back to the group, I was both surprised and excited,” Kalliojärvi says. “For musical reasons, but also since I’ve always been comfortable in said company.”
Niko continues: “The new lineup lets us realize musical ideas in a whole new way. The more I’ve been thinking about it, the more it makes sense.
“AMORAL has been broadening its sound pallette throughout its history — [and] now, more than ever, we have a whole pack of aces up our sleeves!”
AMORAL guitarist and songwriter Ben Varon also sees the new possibilities that Kalliojärvi’s return will bring to the band.
“Niko’s company felt natural both onstage and backstage, and hearing his voice — which I’ve always said is one of my all-time favorite growls — on those songs after a long while felt good,” Ben says. “And once I realized what a great guitarist Niko is these days, the vision started to get clearer: this would be just the thing to take our musical journey to the next level! Two singers, three guitar players, one of which is now a part-time keyboardist… Things just got interesting!”
AMORAL’s new lineup will make its live debut at the Tuska festival afterparty at the end of June.
The band’s sixth album, Fallen Leaves & Dead Sparrows, was released in February 2014.