Founded in 2005, Amorph, the five -piece Swiss band are trying to break conventional musical structures, leaning towards amorphous tendencies. They are predominantly a post-rock band, moving through a wide range of styles and genres such as experimental, alternative, instrumental, ambient and electronic music. Amorph currently consists of Philipp Buser – Drums, Samuel Emde – Guitar, Alain Schnetz – Synthesizer, Florian Straumann – Guitar and Manuel Wieman – Bass and Synthesizer.
Amorph released their debut EP, “Uhrwerk” in 2013, following it up with an intense concert season in cities such as Hamburg, Zurich, Lucerne, Winterthur and Aarau . After a long break, the band returned in the autumn of 2014 in collaboration with Wunschkind to release their second EP, entitled “Dreiundzwanzig”.
Amorph are one of those groups whose sound develops and progresses with each release. This latest EP sees them develop their epic and haunting crescendo-driven sound. Within this framework the band deploys dynamic creativity and musical worlds you could spend a lifetime exploring. Ambient electronic stretches, sumptuous synths, booming guitar themes and complex percussion.
Amorph creates some of the most compelling soundscapes I’ve heard from anyone. Even if a movement relies on a simple repeating melody, the transcendental textural richness makes any musical expanses fade away quickly. There is so much to hear, but the sonic images are fleeting, as in a dream. Amorph don’t over-linger into boredom as many other post-rock bands do.
“Dreiundzwanzig” gives the illusion that you are listening to a full orchestra of players, and not just five members on guitars, basses, pianos, and synths etc. It’s an instrumental audio book of pure intellect and genius. To thoroughly enjoy this work you must have patience and listen closely.
“Dreiundzwanzig” is the epitome of the post-rock sound done right, it’s almost as if you could close your eyes and imagine an epic story-line playing out in your mind’s eye. Waves of sound and beauty wash over the 20 minute+ long track.
With this EP, Amorph simply sweep aside the rest of the field. “Dreiundzwanzig” is a tour-de-force of Amorph’s unbelievable ability to create beautiful yet shatteringly powerful soundscapes. The powerful moments are sure to get your adrenaline pumping and the softer passages are just as emotional. The mood changes are simply perfect, the band weave in and out of themes, from beautiful and calming melodies to harsher driving sections.
The way in which the drums and percussion fire-up when the band moves into kick-down is quite incredible. The dynamic guitar playing and electronic sounds mix wonderfully with the rest of the instrumentation, while the synths and effects are great throughout. This is music meant to create visions; this is the music of dreams, music that seeks to invoke emotion.
Quite simply, “Dreiundzwanzig” is beautiful, transcendent, evocative and a nearly indescribable work, by a five-piece band of incredible talent, making some of the most unique and interesting music you can find these days. If you are interested in post-rock, I highly recommend this EP as a good starting point, all the highlights of the genre are here; monumental crescendos, sweeping highs, murmuring lows, and an all-around cinematic feel.
Amorph is a truly visionary group. Without succumbing to conventional musical structures, they are able to compliment so many moods. For anyone willing to dedicate their ears and mind to aural poetry Amorph is a worthy addition to the list of great music makers who grace any music collection!
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