Metal Blade

For whatever reason I never really followed Amon Amarth past their first full length Once Sent From The Golden Hall. I was always well aware of their continued presence in the racks of my favorite music haunts, yet never bothered to check out anything else from them. Now, years later, I've finally realized my colossal mistake. I'm not perfect and better late than never. What made me change my tune? Twilight Of The Thunder God.

To the uninitiated, Amon Amarth can be classified as a Viking Metal band, which in itself doesn't really describe their sound. Enslaved is the other "big" Viking Metal band and yet is a different sort of bestial breed. Amon Amarth's signature sound is essentially a further bastardized form of Melodic Death Metal - Maiden-esque guitar playing and all - yet exuded with such ferocity that sometimes the comparison would seem totally off. Make no mistake, this Nordic horde hits and pillages with a force augmented by the hammer of Thor himself. This is one album that demands to be played loud.

The ten songs found on Twilight Of The Thunder God are relentlessly crushing. This is one band that you'll never expect an acoustic interlude from. The title track blasts out of the gate like an invading Viking fleet. A heavier than steel wall of sound decimates everything caught in its path and will take no captives. The chorus is like a Viking chant meant to put warriors in the mood for a battle, dedicating it to the glory of the mighty Thor, fists pumping in the air. You'd do well to also pump said fists in the air lest they mistake you for a feeble villager. The conquest is continued with potent beasts like Guardians Of Asgard, Tattered Banners And Bloody Flags and No Fear For The Setting Sun. Live For The Kill features a guest appearance by the guys from Apocalyptica. Their string section isn't as much a calm before the storm but rather a victorious ode to the fallen. The immensely epic Embrace Of The Endless Oceans closes out the album, a tale of a warrior trying to get back home from the rigors of warfare.

Vocalist Johan Hegg doesn't really growl as much he bellows. Hell, just looking at him will intimidate weaker hearts. I'm fully convinced that staring at his goatee for too long will result in your soul being devoured. Guitarists Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg are tight-knit in their offense while the rhythm section of bassist Ted Lundstrom and drummer Fredrik Andersson provides the heavy backup support.

Longtime fans will probably already know all this, but either way Amon Amarth does one thing and they are extremely efficient at it. Either devote your life to Valhalla or be trampled.


01. Twilight Of The Thunder God
02. Free Will Sacrifice
03. Guardians Of Asgard
04. Where Is Your God?
05. Varyags Of Miklagaard
06. Tattered Banners And Bloody Flags
07. No Fear For The Setting Sun
08. The Hero
09. Live For The Kill
10. Embrace Of The Endless Ocean

Score: 9/10