Amon Amarth
With Oden On Our Side

THE REVIEW

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"