Amon Amarth “The Great Heathen Army”
Rustbelt Rock Reviews
By: Z.M. Delgado
Zackolantern.com
Volume #26: Amon Amarth “The Great Heathen Army”
Release Date: 8/5/2022
Metal Blade
Hello, Rustbelt and welcome to another edition of the Rustbelt Rock Review. Today I have the pleasure of reviewing one of my all time favorite acts, the mighty Amon Amarth. “The Great Heathen Army” is the 12thstudio release from the Swedish powerhouse and an album that I have been anxiously anticipating. It is also one I was concerned about. Amon Amarth is in my top five favorites and I knew I absolutely had to review this record. My concern was this: What if I hated it? While I did enjoy their prior effort 2019’s “Berserker,” I found it to be a weaker entry to the catalogue. The five albums preceding “Berserker” are essentially flawless masterpieces of Melodic Death Metal. So how would “The Great Heathen Army” measure up? Would it be another “Berserker,” which I place more in line with their early work (1999-2004). Or would it hearken more towards the glory and fame these Vikings earned with their “Big 5” (2006-2016)? Let’s dig into this beast and find out.
The album opens with “Get in the Ring,” a song about settling your problems with good old fashioned violence. The hero of the song has had his honor insulted, and has challenged his foe to a fight to the death in the ring. Beginning with a slower riff, it then jumps into Amon’s trademark pounding rhythm. The lyrics are very aggressive, with Johan issuing his ultimatum to his enemy. While it may not be the strongest album opener in the bands repertoire, it is a very good track and it sets the bar high for the remainder of the collection.
Up next is the album’s title track, “The Great Heathen Army.” This song is equal parts history lesson and bad ass metal song. As it turns out, “T.G.H.A.” is more than just a catchy album title, it was a real thing. (Look it up!) One of the things I love about this band is that every song is a lesson on Vikings. Whether it is religious lore, historical events or fictional drama, Amon Amarth immerses the listener into Norse culture in each and every song.
Speaking of lore, song number three certainly falls into that category. “Heidrun” is a song about an enchanted goat that lives on Oden’s roof and makes mead for his warriors. I read up on the subject, and more or less the lyrics are in line with the legends. This song is one of the catchiest metal songs I have ever heard. I had it stuck in my head for three days after I got the album. It has that jaunty, drunken sing along feeling that we got previously on “Raise Your Horns.” It also has some call and response parts that will undoubtedly kill at the live show.
“Oden Owns You All,” is next and there is nothing jaunty or fun here. This song is straight for the throat, “With Oden on Our Side” era, bad-assery. It also features some excellent guitar work, the melodic solos standing in stark contrast to the verse riff… which reminds of an ax falling.
“Find a Way or Make One” is my favorite song in this collection. This song sold me on this album on the first listen. The rhythm is so driving, the lyrics so empowering, and the vocals so passionate. This is Amon at their best. I love the message of perseverance. It gets me fired up, every time I hear it. The solo is really impressive, as is the drum work. The fill Jocke lays out at about a minute and a half in, has me playing air drums every damn time. It’s really great stuff.
“Dawn of the Norseman” has the feel of early era song… but like, a really, really good early era song. It has that heavier death metal vocal delivery, but still manages to work in a lot of the more modern era melodies. The real surprise track for me was “Saxons or Vikings” featuring Biff Byford of Saxon. This song fittingly depicts the war for supremacy in England between warring factions. With Johan and Biff representing the two sides of the conflict, you get an amazing dynamic. Hegg’s growls; Byford’s soaring notes; back and forth they challenge and taunt each other. Hurling insults and promises of death; the two vocalists have managed to create one of the best duets I have heard in a long time.
“Skagul Rides With Me” opens with another classic Amon riff and throws you into the fray once again with a tale of a warrior seeking fame and glory in combat. This song is pulse pounding, and would fit nicely into the track list of their now legendary concept album “Jomsviking.” The album closes with the over 6 minute surreal journey down “The Serpents Trail.” This is the tale of a warrior’s descent into the underworld to meet the Goddess Hel. This is an epic track in the same vein as the former album closers “Embrace of the Endless Ocean” and “Back on Northern Shores.” “The Serpents Trail” truly makes you feel like you are walking alongside the protagonist as he navigates the perilous path. The album ends with the warrior ascending again from the darkness and the guitar fading out. And just like that, there is silence.
So now we come down to it: How do I feel about “The Great Heathen Army?” Well I have to say, I love it. From front to back it is as solid an album as the band has ever produced. In fact there are no true weaknesses in the tracklist. When you are dealing with a band that has produced such consistent quality for its entire career it is almost taken for granted. “T.G.H.A.” is a very solid addition to Amon Amarth’s catalogue. I feel it far surpasses the early era work, while drawing from its overall heavy vibe. It is much closer to the “Big 5” albums I mentioned, but not quite as spectacular. Amon Amarth doesn’t write bad songs. They write good songs and great songs. So what differentiates their albums is essentially the number great songs they have, and how great those songs are. I feel “T.G.H.A.” outranks the early material and comes very close to entering the top tier. While it fails to unseat any of those albums, it sits just below them. In their now 12 album catalogue, I place “T.G.H.A.” respectably at the number 6 spot. Not among the best of all time, but better than most and a big step forward from the prior effort. I really enjoy this album, and it will be on heavy rotation in my home from now until Ragnarok.
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt!
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
Zackolantern.com
8/15/2022
(Amon Amarth – “The Great Heathen Army:” An excellent album which exhibits exactly how Amon Amarth has climbed to the top of the Metal world and why they are likely to stay there. Raise your horns WAY up to the sky for The Great Heathen Army! Highly recommend. )
