It seems that even after ten albums, Amon Amarth do not know how to neither surprise nor disappoint. If someone said to their super fans that they are going to release a classic album that is going to be conceptual and have Vikings as the main theme, I believe many of them would have wet dreams.
Boys lead by Johan Hegg are trying to escape from the Viking metal label because Vikings did not have death metal and then they decide to release an album that could easily be on the cover of Viking metal encyclopedia.
What might be startling on Jomsviking is that there is a sparkle of traditional metal and the new drummer. They say the metal has always been there, but it wasn’t until now that they have decided to show its heavy and power facet. There is even a guest appearance by the metal goddess Doro on a song titled A Dream That Cannot Be. A litany here and there, either at the beginning or at the end of the song adds up to the whole theater narrative about the young, unfortunately-in-love Viking who accidentally kills someone and runs away.
I am sure Vikings would drink beer while listening to these songs. I am curious to find out how are they going to perform the song Raise Your Horns due to its glorious lyrics that serve as a perfect manifestation of everything Vikings and hardcore metal dudes are.
Raise your horns
Raise them up to the sky
We will drink to glory tonight
Raise your horns for brave fallen friends
We will meet where the beer never ends
Take that, underage alcoholics! If they don’t play this song on their tour, they need to check their brains. Maybe they have been drinking too much beer.
First Kill is my favorite from the album.
I am an outcast
All alone
I’m a nomad without home
I am an outlaw I’m disowned
And I am no man’s son
What is also good is that it takes you 2 seconds to recognize the band on the tracks called On a Sea of Blood and One Thousand Burning Arrows.
The closing track Back On Northern Shores only confirms what we already know – there is still fire, strength and Vikings. These boys believe in what they sing about.
