Amon Amarth (band)
Encyclopedia
Amon Amarth is a Swedish viking metal
band from Tumba
, Sweden founded in 1992, and takes its name from the Sindarin
translation of Mount Doom
, a location in J. R. R. Tolkien
's Middle-earth
. The band comprises vocalist Johan Hegg, guitarists Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg, bassist Ted Lundström and drummer Fredrik Andersson. Amon Amarth has released eight studio album
s, one EP
, one DVD
, and seven music video
s.
) on vocals
, Olavi Mikkonen on guitar
, Nico Mehra on drums and Vesa Meriläinen guitar
, the band originally played grindcore
based on "jagged riffs, dark atmospheres, untethered vitriol and copious amounts of mead". Scum made no impression upon the burgeoning Stockholm metal scene, but then Johan Hegg came in: it was his "imposing stature [and] [God]-like growl" that were beginning to shape the image and the sound of the band which now started to incorporate Viking
-related themes.
After a 1991 demo (credited to Scum) the band changed their name to Amon Amarth in 1992 and recorded their first demo Thor Arise (1993). Raw and uneven in sound and execution , it was never officially released due to low quality standards but the band caught the attention of extreme metal fans with its own "infectious brand of epic-sounding brutality and unadorned conviction". In 1994 another demo entitled The Arrival of the Fimbul Winter was recorded; this time 1,000 copies were indeed issued. In 1996, they signed with Pulverised Records, on which they released their first MCD
, Sorrow Throughout the Nine Worlds
, which sold 6000 copies. They then signed with Metal Blade Records
which released the debut album Once Sent from the Golden Hall
. Described as "a compelling fusion of buzzsaw riff work, melodic harmonies and soul-crushing rhythms punctuated by Hegg’s callous black/death roar and accounts of Norse battles and treachery" it made sure Amon Amarth' popularity rose internationally. According to Allmusic, the song that bore the group's namesake was the most memorable, containing "the chaotic noises of battle, the screams of the dying, and much sword-clashing to boot." Since then they have done multiple Canada and US tours, festival appearances, seven music video
s, and appearances in over 100 metal magazines.
In June 1998, as the band was about to commence a tour alongside Deicide
, Six Feet Under
and Brutal Truth
, guitarist Anders Hansson left and was replaced by Johan Soderberg. After the tour Martin Lopez quit to join Opeth
and Fredrik Andersson (ex-A Canorous Quintet) came in. With him in Spring 1999 the band recorded and released their second full-length, The Avenger
. The release was supported by the X-Mas Massacre Festivals Tour with Morbid Angel
headlining.
The Crusher
album released in 2001 was considered to be their most aggressive. In support of it the band went on tour with Marduk
and Vader
, taking part in No Mercy Festival. Their first American tour in autumn 2001 though had to be cancelled (due to the September 11 attack) and and was held later, in January 2002, without Marduk, Amon Amarth headlining. In April 2002 the band toured Europe with Vomitory
and in August performed at Wacken Open Air before 12.000 metal fans. In Berno Studio in Malmo Versus The World was recorded and came out, The Viking Edition comprising a bonus CD which included demos Thor Arise and Arrival Of The Fimbul Winter. Touring continued up until Spring 2004 when the band started working on Fate of Norns
album which was released on September 6, 2004. The follow-up, With Oden on Our Side
(2006), has shown (according to AllMusic) that "Amon Amarth continue to be champions of the worldwide death metal tournament" and rose to #26 in the US Top Independent album charts. The album's material though was not included in the DVD Wrath Of The Norsemen (the song of the same title would be found in the 2011 album) which was released in May 2006, having turned gold in US (platinum - in Canada) ever since.
In early January 2008, their first tour of Australia and New Zealand took place, along with supporting Dimmu Borgir
, after finishing a US and Canadian tour with Sonic Syndicate
and Himsa.
Amon Amarth extended their record deal with Metal Blade Records for three more albums. After extending their record deal, the band released Twilight of the Thunder God
, which featured guest appearances by Lars Göran Petrov
of Entombed
, Roope Latvala
of Children of Bodom
, and the cello metal band Apocalyptica
. Accompanying the release of the album was an eight-page comic strip based on Norse mythology which was released by magazines in Europe. Twilight of the Thunder God which is considered their breakthrough album, reached #50 in the US, #6 in Germany, #10 in Finland, #11 in Sweden, #14 in Austria, #21 in Switzerland. It ended up at the #7 position in Revolver Magazine’s Top 20 Albums that year.
Amon Amarth embarked on a North American headlining tour in October 2008, with support from Ensiferum
, Belphegor
, and The Absence
. In 2009 the band returned to the States for another successful series of dates with Goatwhore
, Skeleton Witch and Lazarus AD and later in 2010 with Holy Grail
and Eluveitie
. In between, Amon Amarth were named Best Breakthrough Act at Metal Hammer’s prestigious Golden Gods Awards. The band also supported Slayer in their Unholy Alliance Chapter III
European tour. Amon Amarth played their first show in India, headlining the Deccan Rock Festival in Bangalore on 5 December 2009.
On November 30, 2010, Amon Amarth confirmed their next album entitled Surtur Rising
will be released in Spring 2011. The drums have been recorded at Park Studios, while bass and guitars have been recorded at Fascination Street Studios. According to the band's website, a release date has been set for March 29 in the U.S. They will also be embarking on a 4 month world tour with Children Of Bodom
and Ensiferum
, among others in March - June 2011.
On January 27, 2011, Metal Blade Records
released the first single off of the new album entitled "War of the Gods" on YouTube
. On March 29, 2011, Surtur Rising
was released in North America.
Amon Amarth also appeared in the movie Rap Sucks which was released in 2011.
, the Viking Age
, and the pre-Christian
world. This mythology is an element that originally emerged as an ideological off-shoot of black metal
in a genre known as Viking metal
in the early 1990s, made popular by such bands as Bathory
and Enslaved
. The band, however, does not classify itself as a viking metal band.
When asked to comment on the band's genre, vocalist Johan Hegg remarked:
Hegg spoke of the band's unwillingness to be labeled and insisted that they've never called themselves Viking metal. "In our mind very much associated with bands that come out of Norway who are playing a very black metal oriented music and that’s not what we play. Sure, we have the same inspirations when it comes to the lyrical themes but musically we’re a completely different kind of metal so it’s tricky", Hegg added.
Hegg has also addressed the band's relationship to the pagan metal
phenomenon and their choice of subject matter:
Track listing
Demo 1 is a demo
self-released in 1991. It is extremely rare and only a few copies exist. The demo was released under the band's first name, Scum, as a grindcore
band.
Track listing
Credits
Thor Arise
Thor Arise is a demo
recorded in 1993. The album was never initially released due to its low production standards. The album features "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", a cover of the Black Sabbath
song. The song "Thor Arise" was re-recorded as a bonus track on the Digipak
version of The Avenger
. "Risen from the Sea" was re-recorded on The Crusher
. The entire album was re-released with the "Viking Edition" of Versus the World.
Track listing
Credits
The Arrival of the Fimbul Winter
The Arrival of the Fimbul Winter is a demo
self-released in 1994. Its original release was limited and consisted of 1000 copies. The demo was released on three different colour tapes with different styles. The "labels" for the demo are not professionally-made, and were created by the band for the release of the demo.
Track listing
Credits
Music videos
Former
Viking metal
Viking metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its galloping pace, keyboard-rich anthemic sound, bleakness and dramatic emphasis on lyrical themes of Norse mythology, Norse paganism, and the Viking Age...
band from Tumba
Tumba, Sweden
Tumba is a bimunicipal locality and the seat of Botkyrka Municipality in Stockholm County, Sweden with 35,311 inhabitants in 2005. A part of its statistical urban area, called Rönninge, is in Salem Municipality. The population is 35,311 . The Swedish krona banknotes are printed by Crane AB at Tumba...
, Sweden founded in 1992, and takes its name from the Sindarin
Sindarin
Sindarin is a fictional language devised by J. R. R. Tolkien, and used in his secondary world, often called Middle-earth.Sindarin is one of the many languages spoken by the immortal Elves, called the Eledhrim or Edhellim in Sindarin....
translation of Mount Doom
Mount Doom
Mount Doom is a volcano in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. It is located in the heart of the black land of Mordor and close to Barad-dûr, it is approximately high. Alternative names, in Tolkien's invented language of Sindarin, include Orodruin and Amon Amarth...
, a location in J. R. R. Tolkien
J. R. R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College,...
's Middle-earth
Middle-earth
Middle-earth is the fictional setting of the majority of author J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy writings. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place entirely in Middle-earth, as does much of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales....
. The band comprises vocalist Johan Hegg, guitarists Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg, bassist Ted Lundström and drummer Fredrik Andersson. Amon Amarth has released eight studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
s, one EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, one DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
, and seven music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s.
History
Formed in 1988 as Scum by Paul "Themgoroth" Mäkitalo (Dark FuneralDark Funeral
Dark Funeral is a black metal band from Stockholm, Sweden, founded by guitarists Blackmoon and Lord Ahriman in 1993. They are one of the bands to have emerged in Sweden during the Second wave of black metal....
) on vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, Olavi Mikkonen on guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, Nico Mehra on drums and Vesa Meriläinen guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, the band originally played grindcore
Grindcore
Grindcore is an extreme genre of music that started in the early- to mid-1980s. It draws inspiration from some of the most abrasive music genres – including death metal, industrial music, noise and the more extreme varieties of hardcore punk....
based on "jagged riffs, dark atmospheres, untethered vitriol and copious amounts of mead". Scum made no impression upon the burgeoning Stockholm metal scene, but then Johan Hegg came in: it was his "imposing stature [and] [God]-like growl" that were beginning to shape the image and the sound of the band which now started to incorporate Viking
Viking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
-related themes.
After a 1991 demo (credited to Scum) the band changed their name to Amon Amarth in 1992 and recorded their first demo Thor Arise (1993). Raw and uneven in sound and execution , it was never officially released due to low quality standards but the band caught the attention of extreme metal fans with its own "infectious brand of epic-sounding brutality and unadorned conviction". In 1994 another demo entitled The Arrival of the Fimbul Winter was recorded; this time 1,000 copies were indeed issued. In 1996, they signed with Pulverised Records, on which they released their first MCD
Mini CD
Mini CDs, or “pocket CDs” are CDs with a smaller diameter and one third the capacity.-Formats:Amongst the various formats are the* Mini CD single, a small disc. The format is mainly used for audio CD singles in certain regions , much like the old vinyl single...
, Sorrow Throughout the Nine Worlds
Sorrow Throughout the Nine Worlds
Sorrow Throughout the Nine Worlds is the debut EP by death metal band Amon Amarth, released in April 1996 by Pulverised Records. It was originally released as a digipak limited to 1500 copies and later re-pressed as a normal MCD in two different versions of 1500 and 1000 copies. The MCD was...
, which sold 6000 copies. They then signed with Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
which released the debut album Once Sent from the Golden Hall
Once Sent from the Golden Hall
Once Sent from the Golden Hall is the first full-length studio album released by the death metal band Amon Amarth, released by Metal Blade Records. The album was originally limited and only 1000 copies were sold on CD and LP versions. Later the album was re-released by Metal Blade in 2005 on...
. Described as "a compelling fusion of buzzsaw riff work, melodic harmonies and soul-crushing rhythms punctuated by Hegg’s callous black/death roar and accounts of Norse battles and treachery" it made sure Amon Amarth' popularity rose internationally. According to Allmusic, the song that bore the group's namesake was the most memorable, containing "the chaotic noises of battle, the screams of the dying, and much sword-clashing to boot." Since then they have done multiple Canada and US tours, festival appearances, seven music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s, and appearances in over 100 metal magazines.
In June 1998, as the band was about to commence a tour alongside Deicide
Deicide (band)
Deicide is an American death metal band formed in 1987. Their first two albums, Deicide and Legion, are ranked second and third place in best-selling death metal albums of the SoundScan era.-As Amon/Carnage :...
, Six Feet Under
Six Feet Under
Six Feet Under is an American drama television series created and produced by Alan Ball. It premiered on the premium cable network HBO in the United States on June 3, 2001 and ended on August 21, 2005, spanning five seasons and 63 episodes. The show was produced by Actual Size Films and The...
and Brutal Truth
Brutal Truth
Brutal Truth is an American grindcore band from New York City, formed by ex-Anthrax, Nuclear Assault, and Stormtroopers Of Death bass guitarist Dan Lilker in 1990. The group disbanded in 1999, but reformed in 2006 and continue to release new music.-History:...
, guitarist Anders Hansson left and was replaced by Johan Soderberg. After the tour Martin Lopez quit to join Opeth
Opeth
Opeth is a Swedish heavy metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990. Though the group has been through several personnel changes, singer, guitarist, and songwriter Mikael Åkerfeldt has remained Opeth's driving force throughout the years...
and Fredrik Andersson (ex-A Canorous Quintet) came in. With him in Spring 1999 the band recorded and released their second full-length, The Avenger
The Avenger (album)
The Avenger is the second full-length studio album by the Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth, released by Metal Blade Records on September 2, 1999. It was also released as a digipak version, containing a bonus track "Thor Arise", a re-recording of the title track from their first demo, Thor...
. The release was supported by the X-Mas Massacre Festivals Tour with Morbid Angel
Morbid Angel
Morbid Angel is an American death metal band based in Tampa, Florida. UK music magazine Terrorizer ranked one Morbid Angel album in its “Top 40 greatest death metal albums”, with their 1989 debut Altars of Madness appearing at number 1...
headlining.
The Crusher
The Crusher (album)
The Crusher is the third full-length studio album by Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth. It was released on May 8, 2001 through Metal Blade Records. The album was also released on the Double LP and Picture LP versions on June 29, 2007 which were hand-counted and limited to only 500 copies...
album released in 2001 was considered to be their most aggressive. In support of it the band went on tour with Marduk
Marduk (band)
Marduk is a black metal band from Norrköping, Sweden. The band formed in 1990 and released their first record in 1991. Their name is derived from the Babylonian god Marduk, patron deity of Babylon.-Musical style:...
and Vader
Vader (band)
Vader is a Polish death metal band from Olsztyn, formed in 1983. According to Piotr Wiwczarek, the band's founding singer and guitar player, the band's name was inspired by Darth Vader from the Star Wars film series. Lyrical themes include stories by H. P. Lovecraft, WW2, horror and anti-christian...
, taking part in No Mercy Festival. Their first American tour in autumn 2001 though had to be cancelled (due to the September 11 attack) and and was held later, in January 2002, without Marduk, Amon Amarth headlining. In April 2002 the band toured Europe with Vomitory
Vomitory
Vomitory can refer to:*Vomitorium, an architectural feature in Ancient Roman amphitheatres.*Vomitory, the entrance to Hell.*Vomitory, a brutal death metal band from Sweden....
and in August performed at Wacken Open Air before 12.000 metal fans. In Berno Studio in Malmo Versus The World was recorded and came out, The Viking Edition comprising a bonus CD which included demos Thor Arise and Arrival Of The Fimbul Winter. Touring continued up until Spring 2004 when the band started working on Fate of Norns
Fate of Norns
Fate of Norns is the fifth full-length studio album by the Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth. It was released on September 6, 2004 through Metal Blade Records. This album continued their slower, heavier sound which started on the previous album Versus the World...
album which was released on September 6, 2004. The follow-up, With Oden on Our Side
With Oden on our Side
With Oden on Our Side is the sixth full-length studio album by the Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth, and their first album to enter the Billboard charts, the Top Heatseekers and the Independent Albums chart, peaking at number 15 and number 26 respectively.It was recorded in May and June 2006...
(2006), has shown (according to AllMusic) that "Amon Amarth continue to be champions of the worldwide death metal tournament" and rose to #26 in the US Top Independent album charts. The album's material though was not included in the DVD Wrath Of The Norsemen (the song of the same title would be found in the 2011 album) which was released in May 2006, having turned gold in US (platinum - in Canada) ever since.
In early January 2008, their first tour of Australia and New Zealand took place, along with supporting Dimmu Borgir
Dimmu Borgir
Dimmu Borgir is a Norwegian black metal band from Oslo, Norway, formed in 1993. Dimmu borgir means "dark cities" or "dark castles/fortresses" in Icelandic, Faroese and Old Norse. The name is derived from a volcanic formation in Iceland, Dimmuborgir...
, after finishing a US and Canadian tour with Sonic Syndicate
Sonic Syndicate
Sonic Syndicate is a melodic death metal band from Falkenberg, Sweden. They are influenced by Swedish melodic death metal bands such as In Flames, Soilwork and metalcore bands like Killswitch Engage.....
and Himsa.
Amon Amarth extended their record deal with Metal Blade Records for three more albums. After extending their record deal, the band released Twilight of the Thunder God
Twilight of the Thunder God
Twilight of the Thunder God is the seventh studio album by the Swedish melodic death metal band Amon Amarth. Twilight of the Thunder God was released in September 2008.-Pre-release and production:...
, which featured guest appearances by Lars Göran Petrov
Lars Göran Petrov
Lars Göran Petrov, better known simply as LG Petrov, is a Swedish singer of Macedonian background , born 17 February 1972. He is best known for his work with the band Entombed. In 1991 he was forced to quit Entombed, due to personal problems. He then did the vocals for Comecon's debut album...
of Entombed
Entombed (band)
Entombed is a Swedish death metal band which formed in 1987 under the name of Nihilist. Though Entombed began their career as an early pioneer of Scandinavian death metal which initially differed itself from its American counterpart with its distinct guitar tone, by the early 1990s their sound had...
, Roope Latvala
Roope Latvala
Roope Latvala is a Finnish guitarist who currently plays with the bands Children of Bodom and Sinergy. He was one of the founding members of Stone, which was one of the first notable bands in the history of Finnish heavy metal.-Biography:...
of Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom is a Finnish heavy metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho , Roope Latvala , Janne Wirman , Henkka Seppälä , and Jaska Raatikainen...
, and the cello metal band Apocalyptica
Apocalyptica
Apocalyptica is a band from Helsinki, Finland, formed in 1993. The band is composed of classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso and drummer Mikko Sirén...
. Accompanying the release of the album was an eight-page comic strip based on Norse mythology which was released by magazines in Europe. Twilight of the Thunder God which is considered their breakthrough album, reached #50 in the US, #6 in Germany, #10 in Finland, #11 in Sweden, #14 in Austria, #21 in Switzerland. It ended up at the #7 position in Revolver Magazine’s Top 20 Albums that year.
Amon Amarth embarked on a North American headlining tour in October 2008, with support from Ensiferum
Ensiferum
Ensiferum is a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki. The members of the band label themselves as "heroic folk metal." Since their formation, Ensiferum has released four full-length albums, one EP, one compilation, three singles, and three demo albums and one unreleased album.-Musical...
, Belphegor
Belphegor (band)
Belphegor is a blackened death metal band from Salzburg, Austria. They originally formed in 1991 under the name Betrayer before changing their name in 1993. They are named after the demon Belphegor.-Early years :...
, and The Absence
The Absence
The Absence is an American death metal band from Tampa, Florida. Their style has been described as aggressive thrash metal with Scandinavian metal influences. They are currently signed to Metal Blade Records...
. In 2009 the band returned to the States for another successful series of dates with Goatwhore
Goatwhore
Goatwhore is an American blackened death metal band, formed in 1997 in New Orleans, Louisiana.- Biography :Goatwhore was formed by singer/guitarist Sammy Duet following the breakup of his previous band, Acid Bath. Soilent Green singer L...
, Skeleton Witch and Lazarus AD and later in 2010 with Holy Grail
Holy Grail
The Holy Grail is a sacred object figuring in literature and certain Christian traditions, most often identified with the dish, plate, or cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper and said to possess miraculous powers...
and Eluveitie
Eluveitie
Eluveitie is a folk metal band from Winterthur, Switzerland. The band formed in 2002 and their first EP, Vên came out in 2003. The band then released a full-length album, Spirit in June 2006. In November 2007, Eluveitie was signed by Nuclear Blast....
. In between, Amon Amarth were named Best Breakthrough Act at Metal Hammer’s prestigious Golden Gods Awards. The band also supported Slayer in their Unholy Alliance Chapter III
The Unholy Alliance (tour)
The Unholy Alliance Tour is a biennial heavy metal concert tour of Europe and North America, with the tag-line "Preaching to the Perverted". The tour is headlined by the thrash metal band Slayer, and featured Trivium, Amon Amarth and Mastodon in its latest edition.-Europe 2004:The 2004 European...
European tour. Amon Amarth played their first show in India, headlining the Deccan Rock Festival in Bangalore on 5 December 2009.
On November 30, 2010, Amon Amarth confirmed their next album entitled Surtur Rising
Surtur Rising
Surtur Rising is the eighth studio album by the Swedish melodic death metal band Amon Amarth. The album was released on March 29, 2011.On June 27, 2011, the band released a music video, with footage taken a live performance in Philadelphia, PA and directed by David Brodsky, for the third track on...
will be released in Spring 2011. The drums have been recorded at Park Studios, while bass and guitars have been recorded at Fascination Street Studios. According to the band's website, a release date has been set for March 29 in the U.S. They will also be embarking on a 4 month world tour with Children Of Bodom
Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom is a Finnish heavy metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho , Roope Latvala , Janne Wirman , Henkka Seppälä , and Jaska Raatikainen...
and Ensiferum
Ensiferum
Ensiferum is a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki. The members of the band label themselves as "heroic folk metal." Since their formation, Ensiferum has released four full-length albums, one EP, one compilation, three singles, and three demo albums and one unreleased album.-Musical...
, among others in March - June 2011.
On January 27, 2011, Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
released the first single off of the new album entitled "War of the Gods" on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
. On March 29, 2011, Surtur Rising
Surtur Rising
Surtur Rising is the eighth studio album by the Swedish melodic death metal band Amon Amarth. The album was released on March 29, 2011.On June 27, 2011, the band released a music video, with footage taken a live performance in Philadelphia, PA and directed by David Brodsky, for the third track on...
was released in North America.
Amon Amarth also appeared in the movie Rap Sucks which was released in 2011.
Musical style and lyrical themes
The band bases most of their songs on Norse mythologyNorse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
, the Viking Age
Viking Age
Viking Age is the term for the period in European history, especially Northern European and Scandinavian history, spanning the late 8th to 11th centuries. Scandinavian Vikings explored Europe by its oceans and rivers through trade and warfare. The Vikings also reached Iceland, Greenland,...
, and the pre-Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
world. This mythology is an element that originally emerged as an ideological off-shoot of black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
in a genre known as Viking metal
Viking metal
Viking metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its galloping pace, keyboard-rich anthemic sound, bleakness and dramatic emphasis on lyrical themes of Norse mythology, Norse paganism, and the Viking Age...
in the early 1990s, made popular by such bands as Bathory
Bathory (band)
Bathory was a Swedish heavy metal band, formed by Quorthon in 1983. They are regarded as pioneers of both black metal and viking metal. Quorthon remained the main songwriter and member of Bathory for more than two decades. Bathory was permanently ended after Quorthon's death in 2004...
and Enslaved
Enslaved (band)
Enslaved is a progressive black metal band formed in June 1991 in Sveio, Norway, and currently based out of Bergen, Norway.-History:Enslaved was formed in June 1991 by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson when they were 13 and 17 years old, respectively. The band name was inspired by an Immortal demo...
. The band, however, does not classify itself as a viking metal band.
When asked to comment on the band's genre, vocalist Johan Hegg remarked:
Hegg spoke of the band's unwillingness to be labeled and insisted that they've never called themselves Viking metal. "In our mind
Hegg has also addressed the band's relationship to the pagan metal
Pagan metal
Pagan metal is an umbrella term for heavy metal music which fuses extreme metal with "the pre-Christian traditions of a specific culture or region through thematic concept, rustic melodies, unusual instruments or archaic languages", usually referring to folk metal or black metal. The Norwegian band...
phenomenon and their choice of subject matter:
Studio Albums
- Sorrow Throughout the Nine WorldsSorrow Throughout the Nine WorldsSorrow Throughout the Nine Worlds is the debut EP by death metal band Amon Amarth, released in April 1996 by Pulverised Records. It was originally released as a digipak limited to 1500 copies and later re-pressed as a normal MCD in two different versions of 1500 and 1000 copies. The MCD was...
(1996) - Once Sent from the Golden HallOnce Sent from the Golden HallOnce Sent from the Golden Hall is the first full-length studio album released by the death metal band Amon Amarth, released by Metal Blade Records. The album was originally limited and only 1000 copies were sold on CD and LP versions. Later the album was re-released by Metal Blade in 2005 on...
(1998) - The AvengerThe Avenger (album)The Avenger is the second full-length studio album by the Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth, released by Metal Blade Records on September 2, 1999. It was also released as a digipak version, containing a bonus track "Thor Arise", a re-recording of the title track from their first demo, Thor...
(1999) - The CrusherThe Crusher (album)The Crusher is the third full-length studio album by Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth. It was released on May 8, 2001 through Metal Blade Records. The album was also released on the Double LP and Picture LP versions on June 29, 2007 which were hand-counted and limited to only 500 copies...
(2001) - Versus the World (2002)
- Fate of NornsFate of NornsFate of Norns is the fifth full-length studio album by the Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth. It was released on September 6, 2004 through Metal Blade Records. This album continued their slower, heavier sound which started on the previous album Versus the World...
(2004) - With Oden on Our SideWith Oden on our SideWith Oden on Our Side is the sixth full-length studio album by the Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth, and their first album to enter the Billboard charts, the Top Heatseekers and the Independent Albums chart, peaking at number 15 and number 26 respectively.It was recorded in May and June 2006...
(2006) - Twilight of the Thunder GodTwilight of the Thunder GodTwilight of the Thunder God is the seventh studio album by the Swedish melodic death metal band Amon Amarth. Twilight of the Thunder God was released in September 2008.-Pre-release and production:...
(2008) - Surtur RisingSurtur RisingSurtur Rising is the eighth studio album by the Swedish melodic death metal band Amon Amarth. The album was released on March 29, 2011.On June 27, 2011, the band released a music video, with footage taken a live performance in Philadelphia, PA and directed by David Brodsky, for the third track on...
(2011)
Compilations
- Hymns To The Rising Sun (2010) Greatest hits album, released in Japan on September 8, 2010.
Track listing
- "Twilight of the Thunder God" − 4:08
- "Guardians of Asgaard" − 4:23
- "Live for the Kill" − 4:09
- "Varyags of Miklagaard" - 4:18
- "Runes to My Memory" - 4:32
- "Cry of the Black Birds" - 3:49
- "Hermod's Ride to Hel" - 4:40
- "Asator" - 3:04
- "Pursuit of Vikings" - 4:30
- "Fate of Norns" - 5:57
- "Death in Fire" - 4:54
- "Where Silent Gods Stand Guard" - 5:56
- "Victorious March" - 7:55
- "Children of the Grave" (Black Sabbath cover) - 5:21
Demos
Demo 1Demo 1 is a demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
self-released in 1991. It is extremely rare and only a few copies exist. The demo was released under the band's first name, Scum, as a grindcore
Grindcore
Grindcore is an extreme genre of music that started in the early- to mid-1980s. It draws inspiration from some of the most abrasive music genres – including death metal, industrial music, noise and the more extreme varieties of hardcore punk....
band.
Track listing
- "Warriors of the Past" − 6:13
- "Epitaph" − 4:02
- "Light of Death" − 4:20
Credits
- Niko K. − drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Olli M. − guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Vesa M. − guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Petri T. − bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Puppe M. - Vocals
Thor Arise
Thor Arise is a demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
recorded in 1993. The album was never initially released due to its low production standards. The album features "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", a cover of the Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
song. The song "Thor Arise" was re-recorded as a bonus track on the Digipak
Digipak
Digipak is a patented style of CD, DVD or BD packaging, and is a registered trademark of AGI World Ltd., an Atlas Holdings company.-Features:...
version of The Avenger
The Avenger (album)
The Avenger is the second full-length studio album by the Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth, released by Metal Blade Records on September 2, 1999. It was also released as a digipak version, containing a bonus track "Thor Arise", a re-recording of the title track from their first demo, Thor...
. "Risen from the Sea" was re-recorded on The Crusher
The Crusher (album)
The Crusher is the third full-length studio album by Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth. It was released on May 8, 2001 through Metal Blade Records. The album was also released on the Double LP and Picture LP versions on June 29, 2007 which were hand-counted and limited to only 500 copies...
. The entire album was re-released with the "Viking Edition" of Versus the World.
Track listing
- "Risen from the Sea" − 5:43
- "Atrocious Humanity" − 5:54
- "Army of Darkness" − 5:26
- "Thor Arise" − 6:30
- "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" − 4:22 (Black SabbathBlack SabbathBlack Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
cover)
Credits
- Nico Kaukinen − drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Olavi Mikkonen − guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Anders Hansson − guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Ted Lundström − bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
The Arrival of the Fimbul Winter
The Arrival of the Fimbul Winter is a demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
self-released in 1994. Its original release was limited and consisted of 1000 copies. The demo was released on three different colour tapes with different styles. The "labels" for the demo are not professionally-made, and were created by the band for the release of the demo.
Track listing
- "Burning Creation" − 4:48
- "The Arrival of the Fimbul Winter" − 4:38
- "Without Fear" − 4:42
Credits
- Nico Kaukinen − drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Olavi Mikkonen − guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Johan Hegg − vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Anders HanssonAnders HanssonAnders Hansson, born in 1976, is a Swedish politician of the Moderate Party. He has been a member of the Riksdag since 2006.- External links :*...
− guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker... - Ted Lundström − bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Videography
Video albums| Year | Video details | Peak chart positions | Certifications Music recording sales certification Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,... (sales thresholds) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWE | GER | |||
| 2006 | Wrath of the Norsemen Wrath of the Norsemen Wrath of the Norsemen is a live DVD released by the melodic death metal band Amon Amarth. It features live footage of the band playing their music. It also contains interviews and behind the scenes footage...
|
2 | 91 | US Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States... & CAN Cria A cria is the name for a baby camelid such as a llama, alpaca, vicuña, or guanaco. It comes from the Spanish word cría, meaning "baby". Its false cognate in English, crya , was coined by British sailors who explored Chile in the 18th century and were quick to describe the camelids onomatopoeically... : Gold |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | "Death in Fire" | |
| 2004 | "The Pursuit of Vikings" | Heiko Tippelt, Phillip Hirsch |
| 2006 | "Runes to My Memory" | Bill Schacht |
| 2007 | "Cry of the Black Birds" | |
| 2008 | "Twilight of the Thunder God" | Dariusz Szermanowicz |
| 2009 | "Guardians of Asgaard" | Dariusz Szermanowicz, Pawel Krawczyk |
| 2011 | "Destroyer of the Universe" | David Brodsky |
Members
Current- Johan Hegg − lead vocals (1992–Present)
- Johan Söderberg − guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(1998–Present) - Olavi Mikkonen − guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(1988–Present) - Ted Lundström − bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1988–Present) - Fredrik Andersson − drums (1998–Present)
Former
- Paul "Themgoroth" Mäkitalo − vocals (1988–1991)
- Anders Hansson − guitar (1989–1998)
- Nico Kaukinen − drums (1989–1996)
- Martin LopezMartin LopezMartin Lopez is a drummer, known best for his nine years with the Swedish progressive death metal band Opeth.Lopez was born in Sweden to Uruguayan settler parents, later moving to Uruguay, then back to Sweden.-With Soen :...
− drums (1996–1998)
External links
- Official website
- 9-part interview with Johan Hegg
- "AMON AMARTH Interview with Frederik Andersson", Xplosive Metal, July 2011, Jacob Laginski