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October 8, 2008 |
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01. An Ancient Sign Of Coming Storm
02. Where Death Seems To Dwell
03. The Fate Of Norns
04. Pursuit Of Vikings
05. Valkyries Ride
06. The Beheading Of A King
07. Arson
08. Once Sealed In Blood
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I don't know what it is about this band of marauding Swedes, but somehow they manage to keep getting better and better with each release! Just something so damned triumphant and headbangingly BROO-TAL about experiencing a new AMON AMARTH album you can't help but want to raise a brimming horn of mead to the heavens and throw the horns to the Gods of Metal, ale, and beards in grim and frostbitten gratitude!
The quintessential Viking/Death Metal band of all time, AMON AMARTH (Johan Hegg/vocals, Johan Söderberg/guitars, Olavi Mikkonen/guitars, Ted Lundström/bass, and Fredrik Andersson/drums) are virtually peerless within the confines of their chosen subgenre of Norse-themed Death, with perhaps only their booze-soaked, shield-hewing fellow countrymen in UNLEASHED currently offering up much of anything in the way of competition. With 'Fate of Norns' - their fifth full-length effort - the band have left all previous work in the wake of their longship as they charge forth relentlessly across the icy waves with an arsenal of riffage and fist-pumping fury that carries on a fine, fine Swedish Metal tradition reminiscent of the better work of such past luminaries as the legendary ENTOMBED and DISMEMBER.
I cracked a smile from ear to ear the moment I threw this on for the first time. In typical AMON AMARTH style 'An Ancient Sign Of Coming Storm' kicks things off simply and to the point, bursting out of the flames of a burning village with a galloping riff broken only by Hegg's signature wolfish bark as the tales of conquest and glory begin! 'Where Death Seems To Dwell' strikes next, hitting a darker chord with a tale of a dead man's journey into the frozen wastes Niflheim. The title track weaves itself around a hooky spire of leadwork that forges a mournfully heroic tale of the cruelty of fate wherein a warrior must confront the death of his son. 'The Pursuit Of Vikings' is easily my favourite track on the album, and probably my favourite AMON AMARTH track period, driven by a triumphant, almost MAIDENesque riff that creates visions of scores of longships black against a bloodred sun faring across the open seas to war.
Great, great track! 'Valkyries Ride' and the historical 'The Beheading Of A King' are yet another storming pair of anthems dedicated to the glory of battle, and the ending salvo of 'Arson' and 'Once Sealed In Blood' wreak a bloody tale of vengeance to end the saga.
Just a fantastic piece of work, this. I'm always so impressed by the way in which this band is able to wring so much from what is really quite a minimalist style of Death Metal. I mean, there's really very little adornment or finery here. Only straight-up, no-nonsense, good old fashioned meat n' potatoes riffs with a thoughtful ear ever bent to the construction of simple, yet infectious hooks and melodies that burn each track into the consciousness. Actually, a very old-school approach in truth. I'm sure it's no accident that I immediately referenced MAIDEN earlier on the review, as such comparisons to said act - as well as to others of their era, i.e. ACCEPT, VENOM, et al - are readily apparent throughout. Not blatantly so mind you, but there nonetheless.
Moreso in terms of overall leather-clad vibe and steely intent than in pure sonic delivery per se. Something about overall construct of the tracks, the tone of the leadwork, the choice of melodies laid overtop the 'Deathly' bottom-end…definitely a choice meeting of the old-school with the new here that results in a Metal forged of only the strongest of ores. It was such an approach that once gave us albums like 'Ride The Lightning', 'Master Of Puppets', and 'Reign In Blood' to name but a few.
So in conclusion, all I can say at this point is that if listening to this album doesn't make you want to sink your axe into a cask of mead and drunkenly terrorize the surrounding countryside in a bloodstained, sleeveless jean jacket...well then, dude...I don't know what will! AMON AMARTH have really outdone themselves. 'Fate’ Of Norns' is easily one of the best Death Metal releases of the year. Grab yourself a copy, chase the wenches from the hall with the flat of your blade, turn your speakers to 11 and prepare for the fury of the Northmen!!! Skaal!
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