(CD/LP, Metal Blade, 2022)
There’s no argue that AMON AMARTH is a hard-working band, and I am saying this after having witnessed how these Swedish Vikings conquered the US. No, this did not happen with a single longship assault, but through consistent touring, going from small clubs to large venues. It was pure delight watching the Swedes upgrading their onstage show and increasing the number of people working the oars. “The Great Heathen Army” is the latest armory improvement on the AMON AMARTH Drakkar which is ready to face stormy seas before reaching new lands.
If “The Great Heathen Army” is your first sail with AMON AMARTH, then this album will be a great initiation for traveling backwards on their 12-album long back-catalogue. For those who are seasoned warriors, this album will check all the boxes that you’ve learned to expect and love. This album follows the bearing of “Twilight Of The Thunder God”, which - I think - started a new chapter for the Swedish Viking band. The guitars moved to center stage delivering melodic and catchy riffs through a traditional Heavy Metal sound. This does not mean that AMON AMARTH have abandoned their Viking music-style and therefore have become less heavy. After all, with Johan Hegg’s deep growling vocals it is kind of strange to claim something like this. The truth of the matter is that the adoption of a cleaner guitar tone has expanded the band’s sound by adding more melody and (why not?) some complexity.
Whatever the case may be, album opener “Get In The Ring” will have the AMON AMARTH effect on you; the main riff will put an evil grin on your face and the trademark double-bass drumming will make you raise your fist in the air before growling along “you smile at me through lying teeth, then you talk behind my back”. This will puff your chest up and revive the metalhead you may have put to sleep after the two years of concert-draught. In fact, I believe AMON AMARTH wrote this album with touring in mind, because every song is concert-material. The mid-tempo title track with the deep growling is a great way to get on your best mosh behavior and warm that neck muscles of yours for the windmill headbanging the riffs are calling for. The epic side of AMON AMARTH shines through “Heidrun” with a fat rhythm section and chanting-along riffs, but do not be surprised by the sound of a goat bleating because... Well, in Norse mythology Heidrun is a goat. Despite the animal sounds, this song preps the way for the faster and galloping “Oden Own You All” (wall of death, anyone?) which I think pairs with the anthemic “Dawn Of Norsemen”, and I am sure you will love lyrics like: “Loading the ships our journey begins, guided by stars, driven by wind” or the way Johan drags the word “manned” right before the clean guitar break. Feel the Metal rushing through your veins as the distortion returns and the growling drops even lower as the lyrics talk about the invasion of Northumbria. In fewer words, this is the AMON AMARTH trademark, no questions asked. Speaking of Northumbria, please pay close attention to “Saxons And Vikings”, as you will soon hear the pun... I am talking about SAXON’s Biff Byford who – obviously – sings on behalf of the Saxons side... get it? I think Biff wrote the lyrics for this part, which is another clever idea. The next step is to have both bands touring together and take a “fight” onstage. By the way, the part where the two singers exchange lyrics lines like blows is amazing. Also, I don’t remember another guitar solo like the one here… Keep it up, please.
“The Serpent’s Tail” closes the album with some surprises in the bag; first of all, the vocals are almost stripped off from growls as Johan practically narrates the first verse, building the dramatics of this one. Expect the tension to rise as the basslines gain a louder voice on the mix all the way to the chorus with the mid-tempo heaviness taking over. Still, the dramatics live and breathe through the riff and the subtle keyboard layer in the second verse. This song can be a slow burner for some, because it does not follow the ‘catchy melodies and grooves’ path, but for me, this is the main reason why I grant it additional spins. Of course, the ending hits you with double-bass drumming and vocal-chord tormenting growls; just the way we like it.
I have zero doubts; “The Great Heathen Army” will be put the strongest wind on AMON AMARTH’s sails to tour relentlessly and claim the concert land back. I am sure the fans will put their back into the oar and face every storm that will try (in vain) to stop the longship forging ahead. Are you ready to get onboard?
8/10
Links:
www.AmonAmarth.Com
www.FaceBook.Com/AmonAmarth
www.Twitter.com/AmonAmarthBand
www.Instagram.Com/AmonAmarth
Tracklist:
01. Get In The Ring
02. The Great Heathen Army
03. Heidrun
04. Oden Owns You All
05. Find A Way Or Make One
06. Dawn Of Norsemen
07. Saxons And Vikings
08. Skagul Rides With Me
09. The Serpent's Trail
Lineup:
Ted Lundström - Bass
Olavi Mikkonen - Guitars
Johan Hegg - Vocals
Johan Söderberg - Guitars
Jocke Wallgren - Drums