Rockfreaks.net

Amon Amarth

Deceiver Of The Gods

Written by: PP on 02/12/2013 23:44:20

If there's one band that has fully mastered and brought the style of Viking metal into near mainstream recognition, it is Amon Amarth. They've been churning out excellent albums that dabble a fine line between melodic death metal and folk metal about every two years for a decade and a half now, and since it's been two years since "Surtur Rising", it's no surprise to find another anthemic metal record on our plate with a title as dramatic as usual with this band: "Deceiver Of The Gods". Yet, because the thematics and imagery of Vikings sailing the stormy high seas, pillaging villages, and sending echoing roars abound while they all skål with drinking horns is so well established in Amon Amarth that it's easy to know what to expect from the album, so it's safe to say that if you were a fan of "Surtur Rising" or especially "Twilight Of The Thunder God" before that, there'll be plenty to like here, arguably even more than on "Surtur Rising", actually.

Why's that, you ask? If we skip the standard issue answer that there's little doubt songs like "As Loke Falls" and "Warriors Of The North" would fall in favour with Thor and Odin, or that it's almost a certainty that "Shape Shifter" and "Hel" are exactly what Vikings would've been entertaining themselves with had electric guitars and amplification existed back in the day, then there's one key reason: the riffs. Amon Amarth are synonymous with thunderous riffs, but here they are truly epic, dominating the soundscape in their melodic, rollicking glory, while of course Johan Hegg's roar is as authentic Viking war cry as they come. Together the interplay results into exceptionally catchy, convincing soundscapes that defy their otherwise heavy, crushing nature. But that is yet another strength of Amon Amarth that has propelled them into festival headliners over the years; "Deceiver Of The Gods" simply reminds us they're still here, roaring at the mythological Norse gods even as us mere mortals mind our own business.

Not a groundbreaking album by any means, but it's exactly what we expected (and wanted?) from Amon Amarth all along. More of the same rumbling viking metal as before.

Download: Deceiver Of The Gods, Warriors Of The North, As Loke Falls
For the fans of: Unleashed, Kataklysm, Evocation, God Dethroned
Listen: Facebook

Release date 25.06.2013
Metal Blade