Berserker- Amon Amarth’s Triumphant Album |

As the viking ship landed, Amon Amarth rushed out of it bringing hammering thunder, and melodies to our ears; soon after their long American tour the band delivered yet another incredible battle requiem. Amon Amarth, the gods of melodic death metal will unleash their 11th full length album, Berserker, on May 3rd via Metal Blade Records. Along with their intense touring all of 2018, and planning their return to America the vikings have been busy, with their upcoming release of Berserker, the vikings have solidified their footprint in the metal community for over 20 years.

The known name for a killing machine in the viking world is a Berserker, an unstoppable destructive force- this is the precise definition of the new record by Amon Amarth, Berserker. A true form of story telling has evolved to this, Amon Amarth’s thunderous sounds, eliciting each observer and pulling them in to a world of battle, beheadings, and epic tales. However, it is not simply focused on the context, but rather the emitted sound waves that will fill your body with energy and rage as they prepare you to pick up your shield and sword to enter the battle arena. The very first track titled, “Fafner’s Gold” starts with a classical guitar introduction, blending into a distorted melody followed by a sensational striking drum hammering (Jocke Wallgren) to create a powerful coherent track. Followed by the second single during their promotion campaign, “Crack The Sky”, sounds like a mellowed out Amon Amarth, a catchy track which talks about Thor delivering his oh so powerful lightning strikes. This track is definitely a hook, perhaps a chance to enamor those who have never heard of Amon Amarth, which at this point is probably a rare sighting. Nonetheless, this track has elements that show Amon Amarth as a capable band to deliver a sonic wave in a lower frequency and still sound like the gods of viking melodic death metal.

Those who have witnessed the dramatic tunes by Amon Amarth will sure be satisfied as they move on to track three, titled “Mjolner, Hammer of Thor”, with those bridges (Johan Soderberg, Olavi Mikkonen ) prior to the melodic solos, each note is played with precision, as the cannons erupt behind the drums. The vocals by Johan Hegg are undeniably some of the best in the metal world, with melody, growls and depth he adds the stories more ambiance and gore.

This twelve track comprised album has a distinctive track, one that will carry one for centuries to come that is the titled track Valkyria, A melodic and heavy track with both aspects impacting your sense and making your skin crawl as you envision the band playing live. The track’s main riff will suck you in, as the drums and bass (Ted Ludstrom) in the background smash your body relentlessly- the emotion Johan Hegg conveys in this track is infectious and instills melancholia, rage and energy all combined. This track is definitely a soothing track, with the heavy metal elements and growls it leaves you no room to breath. The track ends with a whimsical melody which goes from electrifying to soothing on a piano. The following track, is one of their released singles titled “Raven’s Flight” a classical Amon Amarth display of gore, with all their mighty and epic riffs, this track goes back to their rooted elements. Another track to keep an eye on is “Ironside”, this track strikes form the get go, depicting the tale of a man in an epic style; viking metal. The elements that tell this story are fast drums, heavy riffs and classic choruses mid track. The record has twelve melodic tracks, a common signature sound by Amon Amarth, filled with hooks, dramatic story telling and amazing musicianship. Amon Amarth have delivered an epic cohesive battle hymn for the mosh pit. Those who have followed Amon Amarth in this journey can agree, that this is the album that will set them on that billboard as one of the heaviest melodic viking metal bands, if not the only one. Tantalizing!

By: Jose Barrientos

Berserker track-listing
1. Fafner’s Gold
2. Crack the Sky
3. Mjölner, Hammer of Thor
4. Shield Wall
5. Valkyria
6. Raven’s Flight
7. Ironside
8. The Berserker at Stamford Bridge
9. When Once Again We Can Set Our Sails
10. Skoll and Hati
11. Wings of Eagle

12. Into the Dark

Slayer “Leg Five: North America” tour dates
w/Lamb of God, Amon Amarth, Cannibal Corpse
May 2 – Ak-Chin Amphitheatre – Phoenix, AZ
May 3 – Isleta Amphitheatre – Albuquerque, NM
May 5 – UTEP/Don Haskins Center – El Paso, TX
May 7 – Bert Ogden Arena – Edinburg, TX
May 8 – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory – Dallas, TX
May 10 – MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre – Tampa, FL
May 11 – Coral Sky Amphitheatre – West Palm Beach, FL
May 13 – Big Sandy Superstore Arena – Huntington, WV
May 14 – Merriweasther Post Pavilion – Columbia, MD
May 16 – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center – Noblesville, IN
May 17 – Providence Medical Center Amphitheatre – Bonner Springs, KS
May 19 – DTE Energy Music Center – Clarkston, MI
May 20 – Covel Centre – Youngstown, OH
May 22 – Canadian Tire Centre – Ottawa, ON
May 24 – BB&T Pavilion – Camdel, NJ
May 25 – Xfinity Center – Mansfield, MA

This September heavy metal overlords Amon Amarth will descend from the land of ice and snow to headline a history-making charge across North America with fellow Swedish warlords and carnage is on the menu.

Berserker World Tour – Raid Of North American Dates
w/Arch Enemy, At The Gates, and Grand Magus
September 26 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SODO
September 27 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
September, 28 – Vancouver, BC – PNE Forum
September 30 – Edmonton, AB – Edmonton Convention Centre
October 1 – Calgary, AB – Grey Eagle
October 3 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
October 4 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
October 6 – Minneapolis, MN – Skyway Theater
October 7 – Chicago, IL – The Riviera Theater
October 9 – Toronto, ON – Rebel
October 10 – Montreal, QC – M Telus
October 12 – New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom
October 15 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore
October 16 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
October 18 – New Orleans, LA – The Fillmore
October 19 – Houston, TX – House Of Blues
October 20 – San Antonio, TX – The Aztec Theatre
October 23 – Las Vegas, NV – House Of Blues
October 25 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
October 26 – Los Angeles, CA – The Palladium