Come On, It’s Viking Metal
Tried and true Amon Amarth is back, and I’m already digging it. The new single sounds exactly like Amon Amarth, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
The Swedish quintet will drop their 13th album, The Allfather Awakens, on October 2 via Metal Blade Records. It’s ten songs, and they’ve shared the opener, “Gjallarhorn,” to set the tone. The record follows “Upphaf,” the band’s first-ever acoustic track, which also lands on the album.
“Gjallarhorn” doesn’t stray far from their Viking metal roots, but it keeps things interesting: great guitar riffs, powerful drums, and a chorus that sticks in your head for the rest of the day. These guys are tried and true in every aspect, and if you’ve caught them live you already know they put on an amazing show. Nearly 25 years in and they still sound hungry.
And let’s call it what it is. Amon Amarth have never officially labeled themselves “Viking metal.” Their new album is literally titled The Allfather Awakens, the cover is a portrait of Oden, and the songs are named things like “Eight Legs Of Thunder” and “Die With A War Cry.” I mean, come on. It’s Viking metal. That’s not a knock. It’s the whole appeal.
There’s another reason to be excited. This autumn the band is unveiling an entirely new stage production inspired by Oden’s legendary Golden Hall, built to turn the concert into a living extension of the album. That’s very enticing, and not just for the spectacle. Their debut, Once Sent From The Golden Hall, is easily one of my favorites from them, back before they fully leaned into the Viking metal aspects. A production built around the Golden Hall maybe hints at some classics working their way back into the set, something like “Victorious March.” Here’s to hoping.
Check out “Gjallarhorn” via the video below and add The Allfather Awakens to your streaming service of choice before October. And keep your eyes open. A band this reliable isn’t going to sit on a new record for long, so an inevitable North American tour behind it feels like a matter of when, not if.
Source: Amon Amarth (official)