I’ll ask you one question and one question only; what do you expect from an Amon Amarth album? I’ll leave you to ponder that question as you read on.
The history of these Swedish metal warriors (that’s such a cliché but it’s damn true though) is well documented and in enough detail to know what size their Viking horns are (fnar fnar) and probably some other pointless trivia you’ll find in other webzines, alongside the finer details of their early influences and how they came about when they were originally called Scum before the beast of Johan Hegg came into their ranks on vocals.
This is the bands eighth album since forming in 1992 and as the band approaches 20 years of existence it is plain to anyone into metal that Amon Amarth do what they do better than anyone else on this planet as this album kicks off in fine style with their trademark duel guitar riffing on “War Of The Gods”. The melody that adorns their discography is prevalent here as well which will disappoint no one familiar with their work as the band shift gear downwards into “Tock’s Taunt – Loke’s Treachery” which appears as a sort of sequel to “Hermod’s Ride To Hel” that appeared on “With Oden On Our Side”.
Most metal fans, journos, mags, zines etc rightly or wrongly proclaim Amon Amarth to be Viking metal which the band disagrees with as they see themselves as purely a metal outfit and are generally associated with this genre due to their Norse lyrics. Personally I’ve always found them to be just a great death metal outfit as I care little for lyrics generally in metal (within reason of course). Anyway back to the music as the album picks up pace for “Destroyer Of The Universe” with an easy chorus and fist pumping anthemic style that is laden with as much double bass as you could ever want or need in a song, and believe me I crave it. The lead work as ever on Amon Amarth songs is well thought out and executed supremely for maximum effect and melody. As the album progresses you get the feeling the band is taking you on a journey with plenty of variations in pace and heaviness, though Amon Amarth are hardly lightweight even on their slower moments.
“Live Without Regrets” has a brilliant hook that is certain to be a live favourite on tour (reminds me of their stuff from “The Avenger” and “The Crusher” era), a pure beast of a song that packs a crushing thud in all the right places. In comparison to their last two efforts this album feels a little rawer overall which is not to denigrate those albums but “Surtur Rising” feels edgier but still has unremitting power and emotion in its riffs, as I swear Johan Hegg’s vocals are getting deeper with each release.
It is certain that all the bands fans will pick out tracks other than those I have listed as their favourites as bands like Amon Amarth have so many top tunes that me, like so many others will be adding tunes from this release to their mental best of for the band and none more than “Wrath Of The Norsment” and “A Beast Am I” which boasts pummelling power on the former and a brilliant melodic lead and atmosphere on the latter that has a 70s vibe due to its epic stature even though its only five minutes long or so. I’ll say nothing about the last song, “Doom Over Dead Man”, apart from it’s a departure for the band but it sits well within their parameters.
So what do you want from an Amon Amarth album? Whatever it is I guarantee every facet or criteria you have listed is here on their marvellous new album and as ever there will be umpteen variations for its release as I suspect this will probably have a model like the last one did. Personally I’ll be investing in the CD/DVD as the DVD has their four nights in Bochum covering sets from their first four albums and if that is not enough to convince you to actually buy this album then nothing is.
http://www.amonamarth.com
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