Project Description

Amon Amarth

‘Berserker’

(Album Review)

Reviewer: Sarah Sykes

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“Yes it is true, Amon Amarth have delivered a masterpiece with Berserker.” – Heavy Magazine

“The emergence of a darker, more complex and emotionally charged side of Amon Amarth is powerfully executed on Berserker.” – Hysteria Magazine, 9/10

“Berserker is pure unadulterated Amon Amarth, 12 blood-soaked songs of fire, fury with the odd history lesson thrown in. I can’t find fault, f#ck it – perfect score!” – Wall Of Sound,10/10

“Battle-ready anthems bustling with riffs weightier than a busload of sumo wrestlers.” themusic.com.au

“With Berserker, Amon Amarth deliver what they promise: a melodic death metal take on the era of the Vikings which creates a dramatic atmosphere and transports their listeners straight to the battlefield.” – Spotlight Report, 4.5/5

“Amon Amarth tried something different with Berserker, and have successfully proven that they aren’t one-trick ponies, but many-legged Sleipnirs.” – Metal Wani

“Bottom line is that the production on ‘Berserker’ is incredible. Huge sounding tone, fat bottom end, and the vocals are absolutely elite in delivery which is to be expected from a seasoned monster like Johan Hegg.” – Forte Magazine, 4/5

“Packed with galloping riffs of primal war music, atmospherically Amon Amarth have the ability to tap into the innate side of raging masculinity where the heart of a warrior lies when called to battle.” – Everblack Media

“Berserker is designed to get heads banging and fists in the air.” – Stack Magazine

“Berserker is a great album from start to finish.” – Silver Tiger Media

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Beserker is the 11th studio album from Swedish melodic death metal band Amon Amarth. Coming in at a lengthy 56 minutes, it is a brutal, but epic collection of metal anthems that showcase why Amon Amarth have remained titans of the genre for so long.

Fafner’s Gold is a worthy beginning, mixing perfectly a melodic intro with Amon Amarth’s traditional brutal style for which they are so well known. Taking inspiration from an old viking tale, Fafner’s Gold is also a reminder of why Amon Amarth have been characterised as a viking metal band for so very long. Followed by Crack the Sky and Mjolner, Hammer of Thor, Amon Amarth continue to reach into familiar thematic territory. There’s a major reason Amon Amarth’s music has had such longevity though, and that is their riffs. They create distorted walls of sound that compete with clean, high pitched leads, creates an enchanting mix that is as engaging and memorable as it is heavy. Berserker is no disappointment when it comes to riffs and the first half of the album proves that.

Raven’s Flight marks a switch in the album, where the tracks begin to delve deeper into melody and emotion. The Berserker at Stamford Bridge follows, an epic piece that builds slowly on the guitar melody. An unusually slow piece for Amon Amarth, The Berserker at Stamford Bridge could almost be considered a viking ballad. Skoll and Hati and Wings of Eagles are two dark and heavy tracks, which are memorable and should translate well live in the midst of a fiery and aggressive performance.

The album ends on a sombre note with Into the Dark, beginning with a tumultuous piece of piano work before breaking into a more progressive guitar solo. While Amon Amarth do not often delve away from their usual historical themes, Into the Dark is a powerful exception. Focused on the journey of a protagonist, they lament: ‘from the dark, into the light, I must fight this darkness all alone’. This is a much deeper and more emotional ending to the album, something that sticks out as rather unfamiliar within Amon Amarth’s discography. It is however a fittingly epic ending, to a well thought out and exceptionally produced collection of songs.

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Berserker
is available now from
Sony Music Australia
or on Spotify.

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BUY BERSERKER HERE

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Berserker
tracklisting:

01. Fafner’s Gold
02. Crack the Sky
03. Mjölner, Hammer of Thor
04. Shield Wall
05. Valkyria
06. Raven’s Flight
07. Ironside
08. The Berserker at Stamford Bridge
09. When Once Again We Can Set Our Sails
10. Skoll and Hati
11. Wings of Eagles
12. Into the Dark

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“For me, this is Amon Amarth 2.0,” vocalist Johan Hegg declares. “I think what we’ve done here is give ourselves the space to explore other parts of our musicality and who we are as a band. If you’re content with where you’re at, what’s the point of continuing? We always want to come up with new ideas and find new ways of doing things and to create bigger and better shows and really try to improve every aspect of what the band is. We want to try to keep growing and to do this for as long as we have the possibility to do so, because this is the best fucking job in the world.”

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Follow AMON AMARTH
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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