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Rating:
Finally they return… exactly… the return of the solid Amon Amarth after the DVD "Wrath Of The Norsemen" is one of the most devastating of recent years. Their sixth album after "Fate Of Norns" is by far one of the most satisfying of this 2006.
The album is different, the mid-tempos are very varied and most importantly, they do not bore with their measured melody. At some moments, the speeds are higher than ever, and the work in its entirety presents itself as varied and especially fluid, despite some fairly long tracks. The band doesn't just return nor do they look back at their past, but rather, they evolve in an extraordinary way without losing their trademark that has distinguished them for years, which is: energy, vigor, heavy riffs, an extraordinarily fearsome rhythm section, and Hegg, who commands both in growl and scream. The work is not a concept album but narrates the usual Viking tales, and there are no songs within the batch that fall by the wayside.
The work begins immediately with "Valhall Awaits Me", one of the most devastating and fast tracks. It tells of a brave Viking warrior who faces battle without fear because he knows that dying as a hero will grant him rest in Valhall, because according to tradition, those who die as heroes are escorted directly by valkyries to Odin's hall. With "Runes To My Memory" they slow down a bit, going back somewhat to their older works; it tells of a dying Viking who requests to be left on a boat with all his equipment so that everyone can see him. A bit like Boromir in The Lord of the Rings after his death… you remember, right??? "Asator" is a tribute to Thor, son of Odin and god of thunder and lightning. It is the shortest on the album with its 3:04 minutes but also one of the fastest, notably featuring a very fast solo compared to their usual style. "Hermods Ride To Hell (Lokes Treachery Part 1)" is certainly the one that intrigued me the most precisely because of that "Part 1" and its hauntingly melancholic melody that enchants frighteningly.
"Gods Of War Arise" is nasty, dark, and assertive at the right point. Hegg takes absolute command and is always excellently supported by his faithful followers. The finale is beautiful where the band lets loose with something gloriously indescribable. The title track is an ancient pagan prayer that musically turns out to be powerful and very convincing; the guitars in this song are scream-worthy for their technique and power. "Cry Of The Black Birds" seems at first to be a track with slow and very melodic rhythms, but in reality, at Hegg's first scream, the guys unleash a hell of solos and drum beats that almost make you want to see them live instantly. The penultimate song and also my favorite is "Under The Northern Star", this is a bit of a novelty for Amon Amarth since a semi-ballad had never been heard, truly killer. Honor and respect to the great Hegg who conveys emotions in spades. The work of the badass Scandinavians concludes with "Prediction Of Warfare". This is especially appreciable for the rhythmic work, another little gem.
What can I say… they don't invent anything, they don't renew themselves but they change skin, an incredible work, my 2006 work so far… and now let's join in a single cry: "We return to our ships With silver, slaves and gold"
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Valhall Awaits Me (04:43)
Blood gushes from the wound
The cut is wide and deep
And before I turn around
He falls to his knees
A clear song rings in the blade
When steel meets hardened steel
I hear the sound of wood that breaks
A sword cuts through my shield
I drop the shield and grab my axe
A weapon in each fist
The first blow makes the helmet crack
The axe cut to the teeth
I rip the axe from the head
Covered in blood and brains
Leave the body lying dead
Ready to strike again
My sword cuts through clothes and skin
Like a hot knife cuts through snow
I smile as the bastard screams
When I twist my sword
Sword in my hand
Axe on my side
Valhall awaits me
Soon I will die
Bear skin on my back
Wolf jaw on my head
Valhall awaits me
When I'm dead
I raise my axe above my head
My eyes stare in furious rage
Yet more blood will be shed
This is a victorious day
Blood gushes from the wound
The cut is wide and deep
As I turn around
I fall to my knees
Sword in my hand
Axe on my side
Valhall awaits me
Soon I will die
Bear skin on my back
Wolf jaw on my head
Valhall awaits me
When I'm dead
02 Runes to My Memory (04:32)
We hold the rivers of the Eastern trail
Deep in the land of the Rus'
Following the wind in our sails
And the rhythm of the oars
No shelter in this hostile land
Constantly on guard
Ready to fight and defend
Ours ships 'til the bitter end
We came under attack
I received a deadly wound
A spear was forced into my back
Still I fought on
When I am dead
Lay me in a mound
Raise a stone for all to see
Runes carved to my memory
Here I lie on the river bank
A long, long way from home
Life is pouring out of me
Soon I will be gone
I tilt my head to the side
And think of those back home
I see the river rushing by
Like blood runs from my wound
Here I lie on wet sand
I will not make it home
I clench my sword in my hand
Say farewell to those I love
When I am dead
Lay me in a mound
Place my weapons by my side
For the journey to Hall up high
When I am dead
Lay me in a mound
Raise a stone for all to see
Runes carved to my memory
03 Asator (03:04)
Thunder rolls across the plains
Thor rides in pouring rain
He rides to Jotunheim to fight
Lightning strikes when Mjölner bites
Fire! burning in his eyes
Fire! his rage is pure, see the lightning strike
Fire! burning in his eyes
Fire! his hate is pure, see the lightning strike
Lightning cracks the blackend sky
Hear the thunder chariot ride
All brave men with hearts of war
Ride the path of mighty Thor
Son of thunder!
Lighting strikes
Son of thunder!
Son of thunder!
Thor Arise!
Son of thunder!
Son Of Oden
Thundergod
Master of War
Asator!
Fire! burning in his eyes
Fire! his rage is pure, see the lightning strike
Fire! burning in his eyes
Fire! his hate is pure, see the lightning strike
07 Cry of the Black Birds (03:49)
Raise your swords up high!
See the black birds fly!
Let them hear your rage!
Show no fear!
Attack!
Charge your horses across the fields
Together we ride into destiny
Have no fear of death, when its our time
Oden will bring us home, when we die!
The ground trembles under us
As we make our thunder charge
The pounding hooves spread panic and fear into their hearts
Our helmets shine in the sun as we near their wall of shields
Some of them turn and run
When they hear our frenzied screams!
Draw your swords to strike!
Hear the Black Birds cry!
Let them feel your hate!
Show no fear!
Charge your horses across the fields
Together we ride into destiny
Have no fear of death, when its our time
Oden will bring us home, when we die!
The enemy are in disarray ride them down as they run
Send them to their violent graves don't spare anyone
Dead and wounded lie all around see the pain in their eyes
Over the field an eerie sound, as we hear the ravens cry
09 Prediction of Warfare (06:38)
Ships were prepared
Weapons and shields
Sails were raised
We headed out to sea
Norway disappeared in the East
Our journey had begun
Helpful winds gave us our speed
Under a warming sun
Heading to the emerald land
A fleet of fifty ships
An army of two thousand men
Led by the king
On the horizon dark clouds arose
Thor rode across the black clouds
As the night rolled in over us
We felt the wrath of the storm
That night
I was haunted by dreams
An omen
Of what was to come
The serpent arose from the sea
Ready to strike
With hammer in hand
The serpent in pain
twisting in furious rage!
Fought for its life
The serpent escaped
Thor was enraged
My dreams began to fade
Woke from my dreams
Sword in my hand
The break of dawn
We were closing in
On Irish land
Time to attack
Grabbed our shields
We came ashore
And saw the waiting horde
The fight was short and deadly intense
The Irish fought us well
But as we gained the upper hand
Their fighting spirit quelled
Ready to strike
With swords in our hands
They struggled with heart
The Irish fell to our wrath
Fought for his life
Their king escaped
With fury divine
King Olav threw his sword
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