Finnish progressive death metal pioneers AMORPHIS released their landmark second album, "Tales from the Thousand Lakes," on July 12th, 1994, through Relapse Records. Recorded by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Tomi Koivusaari, lead guitarist Esa Holopainen, bassist Olli-Pekka Laine, drummer Jan Rechberger, and keyboardist Kasper Martenson, the album drew its lyrics from Finland's national epic, the Kalevala, fusing death metal aggression with melancholic melody, folk-inspired atmosphere, and haunting keyboard textures. It became the most commercially successful release in Relapse Records' catalog at the time, eventually selling over 100,000 copies, and earned four stars from AllMusic. Widely regarded as one of the most influential metal records of the decade, "Tales from the Thousand Lakes" laid crucial groundwork for melodic death metal and is frequently credited with helping spark the folk metal movement across Scandinavia and beyond.