'''''The Beginning of Times''''' is the tenth studio album by Finnish [[heavy metal]] band [[Amorphis]], released on 25 May 2011 in Finland, 27 May in Europe and June 7 in the United States. Like previous Amorphis albums, ''The Beginning of Times'' is a concept album. The central character of the songs is Väinämöinen, described by the band as "the iconic hero of Finnish mythology".<ref name=Press /> ==Release== ===Singles===On 11 April 2011, Amorphis premiered the first single "You I Need" on their Facebook page.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/amorphis/posts/100115743408201 |title=Listen to "You I... |publisher=Facebook |date= }}</ref> It was released digitally in Finland on 20 April 2011,<ref name="beginningmtv3store">{{cite web|url=http://download.mtv3.fi/album/Amorphis/You_I_Need/545BAB6E-29FA-4DEB-9741-DB54DF66839F/|title=You I Need Amorphis|publisher=download.mtv3.fi, Bonnier Group|language=Finnish}}</ref> and in other countries on 22 April 2011. Early the next month, the band released another new song, "My Enemy", again on Facebook.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/amorphis/posts/158803857516071 |title=Listen to "My... |publisher=Facebook |date= }}</ref> ===Reception==={{Album ratings| rev1 = Allmusic| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}} <ref name=allmusic>{{cite web|last=Rivadavia |first=Eduardo |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-beginning-of-times-mw0002132980 |title=The Beginning of Times – Amorphis : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |date=2011-05-30}}</ref>| rev2 = Jukebox:Metal| rev2Score = {{Rating|5|5}} <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jukeboxmetal.com/2011/amorphis-the-beginning-of-times/ |title=Jukebox:Metal review |publisher=Jukeboxmetal.com |date= }}</ref>| rev3 = PopMatters| rev3Score = {{Rating|7|10}} <ref name=PM>{{cite web|last=Begrand |first=Adrien |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/142434-amorphis-the-beginning-of-times |title=Amorphis: The Beginning of Times < PopMatters |publisher=Popmatters.com |date=}}</ref>| rev4 = Metal-Temple.com| rev4score = {{Rating|8|10}} <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metal-temple.com/site/catalogues/entry/reviews/cd_3/a_2/amorphis-the.htm |title=Metal Temple Review |publisher=Metal-temple.com |date=2011-05-18}}</ref>| rev5 = Rockfreaks.net| rev5Score = {{Rating|7.5|10}} <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockfreaks.net/albums/4308 |title=review |publisher=Rockfreaks.net |date=2011-05-30}}</ref>| rev6 = MetalUnderground.com| rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}} <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/reviews/details.cfm?releaseid=4811 |title=Metal Underground Review |publisher=Metalunderground.com |date= }}</ref>| rev7 = Sea of Tranquility| rev7score = {{Rating|4.5|5}} <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=10851 |title=Sea of Tranquility Review |publisher=Seaoftranquility.org |date=2011-06-09}}</ref>}} ''The Beginning of Times'' had a strong sales debut week, charting at No. 1 on the Finnish Albums Chart and No. 16 on the German Media Control Charts.<ref name="beginningifpifinland">{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/virallinen-lista/artistit/amorphis/the+beginning+of+times|title=Amorphis: The Beginning Of Times|publisher=ifpi.fi, [[Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland]]|language=Finnish}}</ref><ref name=GMC>[http://www.pitriff.com/news/modern-metal/item/871-new-amorphis-cracks-german-top-20 ]</ref> In a professional review for PopMatters, Adrien Begrand praised the album, going so far as to say that Amorphis have never sounded better with their current line-up.<ref name=PM /> Amateur reviews have also been positive, with Craig Hartranft of DangerDog proclaiming "The Beginning of Times finds Amorphis in grand form, doing what they do best".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dangerdog.com/2011-music-reviews/amorphis-the-beginning-of-times-review.php |title=Review : Amorphis – The Beginning of Times :: New Music Review :: Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock :: CD Album Music Review : Craig Hartranft |publisher=Dangerdog.com |date=2011-05-23}}</ref>