“Essentially essential!”
METAL-RULES.COM – 5/5 (!) Points
“Melodic-melancholic masterpiece.”
POWERMETAL.DE – 8,5/10 Points
“Whoever criticises missing innovation in music will be proved wrong by this record.”
AARDSCHOK (NL)
“Although the AMORPHIS connection should be enough for anyone to just sample this record. Once you do, you will find yourself glued to the speakers with the record on ‘repeat.’ Aside from the easy-to-recognize references, the music of OCTOPLOID branches out just like the tentacles pictured on the record’s cover artwork.”
METAL KAOZ
“This album catapults progressive death metal back on the screen.”
ROCK HARD ITALY – 8,5/10 Points
“The passion of the involved musicians can literally be heard in every single note.”
METAL HAMMER GERMANY
“This is already one of the albums of the year!”
TNT RADIO ROCK (ES)
“…delivering many highlights, the album leaves more than just a good impression.”
TIME-FOR-METAL.EU – 8,5/10 Points
#4 “Album of the Month”
METAL.DE
OCTOPLOID, the band founded by bass player Olli-Pekka “Oppu” Laine (AMORPHIS, BARREN EARTH, MANNHAI), have arrived to guide fans around the world into their very own musical universe titled “Beyond The Aeons.” Being released through Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), the group have shared an additional video in support of their debut album. Check out the record’s closing track, ‘A Dusk Of Vesk [feat. Jón Aldará],’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qq5rKFxu-o
“A crushing mid tempo death metal riff, an arena chorus, a twisted foundation and a 70s AOR outro migrate here, proving that making a coherent song out of those diverse ingredients is not only possible, but ‘A Dusk Of Vex’ is a living proof of that,” explains band leader Laine.
Order “Beyond The Aeons” in your preferred physical format (CD-digipak or eco-friendly/recycled “dusk of vex” marbled vinyl), stream it on your favourite digital service provider (DSP), or purchase it digitally now, here: https://octoploid.rpm.link/beyondtheaeonsPR.
The album release will also be supported by OCTOPLOID‘s very first live performance which is set to take place at On the Rocks in Helsinki, Finland next month, on August 2. Don’t miss the chance to witness their stage debut and get your tickets from Tiketti!
“Beyond The Aeons” – Track Listing:
01. The Dawns In Nothingness [feat. Mikko Kotamäki] *
02. Coast Of The Drowned Sailors [feat. Tomi Koivusaari & Janitor Muurinen] *
03. Human Amoral [feat. Tomi Joutsen] *
04. Shattered Wings [feat. Petri Eskelinen] #/%
05. Beyond The Aeons #/%
06. The Hallowed Flame [feat. Mikko Kotamäki] *
07. Concealed Serenity [feat. Mikko Kotamäki] %
08. A Dusk Of Vex [feat. Jón Aldará | physical: long version; digital: edit] ^/%
Bonus Track (physical only):
09. Monotony [feat. Petri Eskelinen] %
* Kim Rantala (keyboards)
# Samu Leminen (additional lead guitars)
^ Ile Laaksomaa (additional lead guitar)
% Kasper Mårtenson (keyboards)
More from “Beyond The Aeons”:
‘Human Amoral [feat. Tomi Joutsen]’ OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b28tz6kKXyQ
‘The Dawns In Nothingness [feat. Mikko Kotamäki]’ OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hVrS9w_Ej0
‘The Hallowed Flame [feat. Mikko Kotamäki]’ OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXXNtXDH8i0
Don’t forget to subscribe to Reigning Phoenix Music on YouTube to stay updated and listen to ‘A Dusk Of Vex [feat. Jón Aldará; Edit]’ along with other new tracks in the “RPM New Releases” playlist on Spotify. Subscribe here: https://rpm.link/spotifynewreleasesPR.
OCTOPLOID live:
02.08.2024 FI Helsinki – On the Rocks [TICKETS]
About OCTOPLOID
OCTOPLOID, the solo project of Olli-Pekka Laine (bassist, keyboardist, and backing vocalist, known for his work with AMORPHIS, BARREN EARTH, and MANNHAI), was established in 2022. This venture has culminated in “Beyond The Aeons,” the act’s debut album set for release on July 5, 2024, through Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). OCTOPLOID‘s music merges elements of 90s death/black metal, 70s prog rock, and 90s psychedelic rock, carving a distinct niche in the music landscape. The sound of OCTOPLOID has aptly been described as “classic death prog.”
The band’s line-up is built around Laine and features four talented musicians. Mikko Pietinen, a versatile drummer with experience ranging from stoner rock with MANNHAI to Finnish mainstream pop rock (including bands like KASMIR), and Peter Salonen, a lead/rhythm guitarist known for his work with THE KINKY THING — a band that performs covers of Finnish psych rock legends KINGSTON WALL — is relatively new to the scene. The group is completed by keyboardist Kim Rantala (GIANT ROBOT, formerly of AMORPHIS) and vocalist Mikko Kotamäki (SWALLOW THE SUN etc.; live).
OCTOPLOID is:
Mikko Kotamäki | vocals (live)
Peter Salonen | guitars
Kim Rantala | keyboards
Olli-Pekka Laine | bass, keyboards, backing vocals
Mikko Pietinen | drums, percussion
More on OCTOPLOID: