Finnish melancholic dark rock/metal icons AMORPHIS will be direct support to the metallic operatic powerhouse NIGHTWISH for an exclusive North American performance in early 2012. The show will take place at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City on January 21st, 2012. Joining them will be DOMMIN. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.

“The opportunity of playing exclusive show with Nightwish came about around February,” commented guitarist Esa Holopainen. “We were totally exited about the idea as we didn't have a chance to do a tour in the US with the Skyforger album. Now we have a special show where we will try to offer as much material as possible from the last two albums. It's a great privilege to be part of an evening which is going to be memorable and special for everyone.”

The Beginning Of Times, the new album from Amorphis, recently entered the Finnish album charts at #1.

Says the band, "Thanks to all of you who have bought the album!!!"

Amorphis released The Beginning Of Times on May 27th in Europe. The album will be out tomorrow, June 7th, in North America. Samples of all the songs can be heard below:

The Beginning Of Times tracklist is as follows:

'Battle For Light'

'Mermaid'

'My Enemy'

'You I Need'

'Song Of The Sage'

'Three Words'

'Reformation'

'Soothsayer'

'On A Stranded Shore'

'Escape'

'Crack In A Stone'

'Beginning Of Time'

'Heart's Song' (digipack bonus)

Amorphis recently released the official video clip for the first single, 'You I Need', taken from the forthcoming album, The Beginning Of Times. Check out the clip below:

In the trailer for The Beginning Of Times, guitarist Esa Holopainen talks about production and concept of the upcoming album and the band’s plans for the rest of the year. The video also includes excerpts from several new songs. Check it out below:

The Beginning Of Times is the most challenging Amorphis album so far in terms of both music and lyrics. Its central character is the iconic hero of Finnish mythology, Väinämöinen, whose tale has been masterfully retold by lyricist Pekka Kainulainen.

The Beginning Of Times was produced by the band; vocals were recorded under the guidance of Marco Hietala in his home studio in Kuopio. Like its predecessors, the album was mixed by Mikko Karmila. Its cover artwork shows Travis Smith’s magnificent interpretation of the mythological birth of the world from a goldeneye’s egg.

Check out BW&BK; scribe Mark Gromen's recent Amorphis feature at this location.