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Amon Amarth - Surtur Rising

Label: Metal Blade
Format: CD download
Released: 2011
Reviewed By: Andrew Jantas
Rating: 8.5/ 10


Grab your swords and shields and prepare for battle!, it's once again time for another epic Amon Amarth album. The 8th studio album "Surtur Rising" from the Swedish viking horde sees the band continuing where it left off with 2008's "Twilight of the Thunder God" sounding somewhat similar in song structure but not being afraid to go back to their roots as well.

 

Opening with ‘War of the Gods’, this speedy track often at times harbors back to the album "The Crusher" with it's blending melodic riffs in the middle and the headbanging catchy chorus to go along with Johan Heggs viking roars. Second track ‘Tocks Taunt - Loke's Treachery Part II’, is the sequel to the ‘Hemods Ride to Hel - Loke's Treachery Part I’ and not as melodic as part I, opening up with a more heavy deep riff and pounding drum beats. But when it does get melodic it definitely matches the power of Part I and contains a blistering solo in the middle and some clean guitar picking that reminds me at times of Immortal. ‘Destroyer of the Universe’ (one of the titles considered for the album) is vintage Amon Amarth with the full on double bass drumming of Fredrik Andersson (who took part in writing the next track) in the opening to go along with the massive riffage of gutarists Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Soderberg. I can see a lot of synchronized headbanging happening to this speedy monster. ‘Slaves of Fear’ pays tribute to fallen metal legend Ronnie James Dio with a "Holy Diver" like sound mixed with Amon's and is superbly well done. There is even a segment of the song that sounds like ‘The Sound of Eight Hooves’ which should please older fans. ‘Live Without Regrets’ is a the feel good track on the album and has a thrilling chorus that may turn into a crowd a favorite.

‘The Last Stand of Frej’, ‘For Victory or Death’, and ‘Wrath of the Norsemen’ are quite possibly the best cuts and could have come off "Versus the World", especially the slow epic ‘Last Stand of Frej’ and the solo filled ‘Wrath of the Norseman’. ‘For Victory or Death’ is somewhat similar to ‘Twilight of the Thunder God’ but darker and more melodic and epic sounding. The build-up at the end was a nice addition and will be amazing to hear performed live.

Closing two tracks, ‘A Beast Am I’ and ‘Doom Over Dead Man’, wrap up the album in a decent way with ‘Beast’ having the band show a thrashier side to their metal and ‘Doom’ touches on different styles from doom, to rock, and then speedy death again. I wasn't crazy about the inclusion of keys and organ orchestrations added to the production which is why I didn't give a higher rating as I feel it takes away from the actual band.

In the end though this is a decent follow up to the last album and the fact they are playing it from start to finish on their upcoming US tour in the late spring/early summer is something that should definitely not be missed. Odin be pleased.

 
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