Amon Amarth – Surtur Rising

Amon Amarth has already 19 years to their name with the 20 year mark not that far away. Whilst it's been three years since their last release "Twilight of the Thunder God" (2008) this eighth wonder of the world shouldn’t be any different? Well it just so happens that it is different   very different because of the matter that it's filled with sword-wielding, fist-pumping battle anthems that would make the Surtur leader himself cry in vain. Named in tribute to Surtur, leader of the fire giants of Muspelheim (“flame land”) and the oldest being in the nine worlds of Norse mythology, this release consists of 10 tracks all of which portray a crushing quality sound that lies between the lines of "Twilight of the Thunder God" and "Fate of Norns" (2004).

Frontman Johan Hegg states - “We’ve never called ourselves Viking metal and like most musicians, we just don’t like to put labels on ourselves. In our mind, it’s very much associated with bands that come out of Norway who are playing a very black metal oriented music and that are 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. To somebody who’s never heard us but has maybe heard Enslaved or Borknagar or Einherjer, they will expect something very different than what we do.”

"Surtur Rising", opens up with its leading track "War Of The Gods", is heavily intense never misleading the fact that this is indeed Amon Amarth but strengthen it if that makes sense. "Töck’s Taunt – Loke’s Treachery Part II", is the sequel track to "Hermod's Ride to Hel - Lokes Treachery Part 1", released on 2006's "With Oden On Our Side" album. This more aggressive yet very mellow driven tune has its melodic sense of being consisting of a dramatic effect if you will. "Slaves of Fear", remains at that same pace as "Töck’s Taunt – Loke’s Treachery Part II", had done having it be yet another mellow dramatic tune that keeps a calm yet steady beat. Now "Victory or Death", contains a very mild tempo beat that we're quite familiar with hearing from Amon Amarth. This track in-particular really captures the essence that is known by them from the past and reliving it yet again makes it that more enjoyable.

"Surtur Rising" uses everything that Amon Amarth is known for except perhaps enlightens it just a bit.