Review Summary: Who’s the goat?
When it comes to Amon Amarth we could argue they’re the safest metal band in existence. In shaping their musical identity oh so loosely around J.R.R. Tolkeins
The Lord of The Rings and their contextual formula less loosely around Norse mythology and heritage. Hailing from Tumba, Sweden, these locals have since charted a path across many seas and become name stays in metal collections everywhere.
The Great Heathen Army, the band’s literal twelfth chapter moves on from a lore on the lone
Berserker to a jaunt relaying the exports of those vikings who dared to challenge the seas en masse. Saxons be damned. As such,
The Great Heathen Army is the band’s best since
Deceiver of The Gods,
Jomsviking or
Twilight of The Thunder God...okay, so they’re keeping an expected, consistent course while staying true to the melodic death metal homage that’s carried them from hall to hall for thirty years.
That’s not a gripe. Most fans know Amon Amarth’s place isn’t on the tippy top of the utmost out of reach shelf. No, Amon Amarth’s albums are routinely used as happy-go-lucky anthems for the masses who enjoy solid riffs, the battering growl of one Johan Hegg and references to viking-lore that will outlast us all. In typical fashion,
The Great Heathen Army stays in arm’s reach, at eye level, adorned in the atypical Amon Amarth artwork—awaiting the grubby little fingers of heathens everywhere. While “Get in The Ring” opens this newest chapter quite predictably, there’s something to be said for the invoking title track and even catchier “Heidrun”. The latter is full of the typical Amon Amarth bombast riffing, earworm invoking choruses that stick like gore splatter on a tree while “Heidrun” takes those earworm riffs and ties them into a lyrical bonanza describing the magical goat who provides alcoholic beverages at all the viking dinner parties. Yep, you read that right. Thor never mentioned he drinks his share of mead straight from the tit. Heidrun is famed for eating leaves from the sacred tea, fermenting the vegetation in her belly before her udders release a “gift from the gods”. “Heidrun” itself is a jovial, bouncy affair that only adds to the light-hearted nature of the track. While listeners might not help comparisons to Alestorm’s tendency to be upbeat and completely non serious, Amon Amarth have at least done a better job bringing this near-comical context into the fray. It’s a broad comparison, but it more than translates here.
Deeper cuts like “Find a Way or Make One” and “Dawn of Norsemen” continue stepping on the burly path completely familiar for long standing fans of the group. The tale continues; questing and treasure as a result of a war with the Saxon people, but more notable is the dual vocal efforts found on “Saxons and Vikings”. Biff Byford, the most famous of Saxons to have ever Saxon’ed, front man of premier vintage rock and metal act Saxon (did I get enough Saxon’s in there?) guest appears on the most ironic and well named track of the year. I mean it’s only fair, since Hegg featured on Saxon’s 2018 album, this was a match made in Heaven…or Asgaard if you will. Either way, the song is memorable for the feature, for the context (each portraying their respective vocal characters well) and for the romper room of riffs that bellow from the speaker.
Chances are
The Great Heathen Army isn’t going to convert those who aren’t already a fan of the Amon Amarth shtick, nor is it going to dissuade the long time fans that love soaking in a melodic death metal history lesson. This album is chock full of the typical sensibilities Amon Amarth are known for, but it also doesn’t ascend to the glorious, lofty heights the jaded metal communities adore. Amon Amarth themselves may not set out to climb mountains, but sure as Hel they’re ready to cross vast oceans for yet another conquest.
