Released by: Metal Blade Records
Release Date: June 25th, 2013
Genre: Viking Metal
Links: http://amonamarth.com/
Line Up:
Vocals – Johan Hegg
Bass – Ted Lundström
Guitar – Johan Söderberg
Guitar – Olavi Mikkonen
Drums – Fredrik Andersson
Tracklist:
01. ‘Deceiver of the Gods’
02. ‘As Loke Falls’
03. ‘Father of the Wolf’
04. ‘Shape Shifter’
05. ‘Under Siege’
06. ‘Blood Eagle’
07. ‘We Shall Destroy’
08. ‘Hel’
09. ‘Coming of the Tide’
10. ‘Warriors of the North’
Viking Metal- a mix of death metal and black metal performing songs about Vikings and Norse mythology. Amon Amarth- one of the best bands of this genre, despite the fact they don’t consider themselves a Viking Metal band. Genre labeling aside, Amon Amarth has built up a reputation as one of the most solid metal bands on the planet. Amassing ravenous fans worldwide through touring/festival appearances and the release of 8 very strong albums, they’re back with their 9th and latest Deceiver of the Gods.
As one of only a handful of bands that consistently put out top notch metal albums after so many years of doing it Deceiver of the Gods is by far their best album yet. From the opening strains of its title track to the magnificent closer “Warriors of the North” they have constructed one of the most thoroughly brutal, well-written, badass albums of the year so far. Having never been a close follower of Amon, this album took me by absolute surprise. Sure, I admit I enjoyed their music to a certain degree, but it never really grabbed me like this new one has. From a brutality perspective alone the album is a winner, but unlike other bands that possess the level of heaviness found here, the songs contained on this album are more than just a heavy metal sledge hammer slamming the listener in the gut. The songs are melodic without losing an ounce of abrasive anger. Odin would be proud with such monster tracks as “Father of the Wolf, “We Shall Destroy,” “Shape Shifter,” and my personal favorite “Hel” featuring the legendary former Candlemass singer Messiah Marcolin.
Extreme metal fans prepare to have your face melted off by the metallic brilliance of this record. Amon Amarth Deceiver of the Gods is an early contender for album of the year already. I don’t toss that statement out lightly either. So take notice bands planning on releasing new music throughout the rest of the year. The bar has been set high with this one!
Written by Chris Martin
Ratings Chris 10/10
