02. Töck's Taunt – Loke's
Treachery Part II
03. Destroyer of the Universe
04. Slaves of Fear
05. Live Without Regrets
06. The Last Stand of Frej
07. For Victory or Death
08. Wrath of the Norsemen
09. A Beast Am I
10. Doom Over Dead Man
Word from Asgard is that
Surtur is among the most
ancient of Norse deities. He is
the leader of the fire giants
who plays a major role in
Ragnarok — the Armageddon-
like series of events that sees
the demise of Odin, Thor, Loki
and many others — before
eventually bringing forth the
flames that will engulf the
planet. In other words, dude is
a total bad-ass. No, not even
the great warlock Charlie
Sheen could hold up against
the might of Surtur's flaming
sword. So as the ancient one
ascends from below to reduce
us all to char and ashes, we
might as well sit back and
enjoy a kick-ass metal album
while the temperature rises.
Oh wait, here's one…
The eighth studio release from
Swedish Viking lords AMON
AMARTH is quite possibly the
most battle-ready and
aggressive collection of tunes
to ever carry the Viking metal
label. The beauty part is that
the band hasn't shifted their
game plan an iota, they've just
fought harder and fiercer than
anyone else out there. In true
AMON AMARTH fashion, the
disc gets off to a fiery start
with the absolutely crushing
"War Of The Gods". Powerful
and thrashing riffs, triumphant
melodies and thundering war
drums combine for one hell of
an opening salvo. Let the
arrows fly! "Destroyer Of The
Universe" is another rager
that shall one day echo
through the halls of Vallhalla.
Led by frontman Johann
Hegg's wolf-like growl, this is
the sort of tune that drags the
listener in by the ears before
crushing his skull. Equally
infectious is "Slaves Of Fear",
thanks to some masterclass
riffing from guitarists Olavi
Mikkonen and Johan
Söderberg and the song's
evolved structure. More than
any other point in the album,
"Slaves Of Fear" really shows
just how far AMON AMARTH
has progressed as
songwriters.
As you've probably figured
out, "Surtur Rising" is ripe
with offerings of crushing, yet
catchy Viking metal. This is
just one of those albums that
give little reason to stop
pumping your fist in triumph.
Legions will march to the tune
of "The Last Stand Of Frej".
Cities will topple while the
measured pummel of "Wrath
Of The Norsemen" screams
down from the mountain. "For
Victory Or Death" shall be the
battle cry and when the dust
settles (or when final seconds
of closer "Doom Over Dead
Man" fade out of existence)
AMON AMARTH will stand tall
amongst the broken bones
and rubble.
Innovators and now masters of
Norse folklore-inspired
melodeath, AMON AMARTH
have paved the streets of
Gothenburg with the thinly-
sliced flesh of their imitators
this time out. "Surtur Rising"
is like being bludgeoned by
your favorite warhammer.
Definitely a contender for this
year's best.
- Ryan Ogle
