Amon Amarth - Twilight of the Thunder God (Metal Blade Records) - Back
Sweden's very heavy hitters Amon Amarth's new album "Twilight of the Thunder God" is another installment in a line of albums that still stay true to heavy metal roots. The opinion for a long time people would say that their albums, while decent, were outstripped by their live reputation. Now I’ll be honest here… I’ve never been a really big fan of Amon Amarth, but after seeing them live and listening to the amazing ‘Twilight of the Thunder God’ I have certainly changed my tune! Anyone like myself who witnessed Amon Amarth live earlier this year would agree that this band, like most death metal bands is better appreciated once seen live. Amon Amarth is upping the intensity of their lusty Viking anthems and creating now full on stadium anthems full of hooks, grit and martial melodrama. "Twilight of the Thunder God" is all about gruff vocals, tasty guitar melodies, and the kinds of songs that, for the most part, could be given minor tweaks and used to fire up any sporting franchise on game day. It might not be as lyrically intense as their last offering 'With Oden on Our Side', but the band certainly haven’t steered too far off their musical path! The faster songs, with more urgent picking and galloping rhythms, work the best on "Twilight of the Thunder God", creating a stirring atmosphere and rallying the hordes with their enthusiastic aggression which gets your fist pumping.

Johan Hegg's voice is so powerful and demanding and it shines through on tracks such as ‘Free Will Sacrifice’ and ‘Varyags of Miklagaard’. One of my favorite tracks was ‘Guardians of Asgaard’, with its electric chant that I was singing along with instantly, to sing along and the head-down 4/4 mid-tempo rock stompers, which have emphasis on catchiness and simplicity, with an undeniable groove. Amon Amarth is considered to be modern legends, because of their own sound. Long time fans of Amon Amarth will not be disappointed; every song on this album delivers everything you have all come to love and enjoy from the band. Besides the amazing work of all the band’s members ‘Twilight of the Thunder God’ has some very special guest appearances which includes Lars Göran Petrov of Entombed, Roope Latvala of Children of Bodom, and the cello metal band Apocalyptica. While it could be argued that Unleashed have been doing this whole thing longer, and better, Amon Amarth are carving out their own niche in the sodden tundra. Their approach is more melodic and expansive, and — in a good way — adding a little more rock-and-roll in the right places. "Twilight of the Thunder God" mixes _plenty of ancient vibe and black metal tradition into an accessible melodic death metal brew, there's really no fault to be found here, Amon Amarth is delivering the goods with an ear for what works, and what translates to the back rows of those muddy summer festivals, keeping their loud and proud melodic death metal sound intact and the end result rocks like hell.

Twilight of the Thunder God
Free Will Sacrifice
Guardians of Asgaard
Where Is Your God?
Varyags of Miklagaard
Tattered Banners and Bloody Flags
No Fear for the Setting Sun
The Hero
Live for the Kill
Embrace the Endless Ocean

Rating: 90

Reviewed By: Cameron Edney - http://www.myspace.com/insideout666ints