Album/EP

Amon Amarth - Jomsviking (Album Review)

Walladmin

Heavy Metal Wordsmith

/10

Apr 18, 2016

7 min read

AMON AMARTH – Jomsviking

Released: March 25^th 2016

Amon Amarth Line Up

Johan Hegg - Vocals

Olavi Mikkonen - Guitar

Ted Lundström - Bass

Johan Söderberg - Guitar

Jocke Wallgren - Drums (Live)

Amon Amarth, the tyrants of melodic death metal have a huge reputation for having a very distinct style that captures the perfect sound for the Viking tales told through each song. This time around with Jomsviking they tell a brutal story of love, revenge and despair throughout an entire album, making this their first concept album.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw5G6fF-wqQ&w=640&h=360]

Instantly any Amon Amarth fan will feel right at home listening to this album. The opening track “First Kill” starts with a brilliant build up that leads straight into that in your face Nordic metal Amon Amarth are known for. Though after the build up it sounds like they’ve recycled riffs from one of their old songs “Twilight of the Thunder God” which left me rather disappointed. Unfortunately this wasn’t the only time I was disappointed while listening to Jomsviking.

I’ve been a huge fan of Amon Amarth for a long time and though I’ve listened through this album quite a few times now to become adjusted to it I can’t help but feel let down every time. Not only because they’re reusing riffs but there isn’t a single song that is truly great the entire way through. Don’t get me wrong there are great moments; catchy choruses, beautiful melodies and brutal riffs but personally I don’t think this album compares to any of their previous 5 albums, which have all featured multiple tracks that are incredible from start to finish.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGfgf-AmXfw&w=640&h=360]

On a more positive note; “First Kill” and “Raise Your Horns” are by far my favourite tracks off the album and both for the same reason. The choruses are catchy as fuck. Seriously I challenge anyone to listen to these songs and hold back to urge to slay nords on Skyrim with a battle axe or break into some whack folk dance. They have always had a heavy folk element to their sound but it is definitely more prominent in this album.

Overall I’d say this is decent album. Though I am disappointed with it, it is a pretty consistent album which for some is more important than having stand alone songs that blow your mind. If you are a fan of the band I would definitely recommend purchasing this album. Even if they’re a recent discovery for you I’d say buy this album, but check out some of their previous albums as well.

Rating: 6.5/10

Review by Jackson Calcutt