Amon Amarth are set to release their ninth studio album to the world on Tuesday 25 June and let me be the first to tell you (yes I know I am not the first) that it is a fantastic album that fits perfectly into the nice little niche that this band has made for itself in melodic death metal arena. The quintet from Sweden have once again created an album full of melody, blistering drums and a vocal performance only Johan Hegg can pull off. Of course this isn’t your ordinary melodic death metal album, no, this is an album steeped in Norse mythology with the main antagonist being Loki this time around. I am not going to go into the history of the Norse mythology or even who Loki is and why he is important to the story of Deceiver of the Gods because if you are a fan of this band then you know the story already and me recounting it is not necessary. If by chance this is the first time you have ever heard of Amon Amarth and their legacy of writing melodic death using the backdrop of Norse mythology then go to their back catalogue and catch up, it is all there for the education. But take it from me, if you are new to Amon Amarth there would be no better place to start than this album, it is a blistering example of how melodic death should be done!
Amon Amarth have done nothing different with this album, as stated the themes are the same, the songwriting is as tight as it ever was and the production is superb. The band somehow has achieved a level of consistency that will be hard to top and that is a testament to a band that has been playing strong since their very inception. The brilliance of bringing in Andy Sneap for the production of the album was another stroke of genius as he has created a mix that allows every single one of the members of this band to shine. The drums and bass are not subject to the back of the mix but every part is produced so well that at times the rhythm section is made to lead the song through the battlefield of the Gods of the North. Sure, the band didn’t take too many chances on this album or sway very far from their formula but that’s ok because what they did do is enhance and build on what we as fans love about their music. Being consistent is not a bad thing, becoming stale is bad and by no means has Amon Amarth become stale after nine significant albums. Deceiver of the Gods is just another in a string of well crafted melodic death albums from this band. I sometimes wish more bands would be as consistent as this band is on every record, I don’t need change from record to record, what I need is consistency and a well crafted album and that is what I get from this band. It also doesn’t hurt that there is a more accessible sound to Deceiver of the Gods as the band is about to embark on the popular Mayhem Festival Tour here in the United States.
I can tell you that when that slow melodic (and short) intro to the title song starts and builds into the signature pounding of the drums and the wail of the guitars all the way to the primal Johan Hegg scream it is evident that Amon Amarth are gifted at what they do as anyone in metal today. The song 'Father of the Wolf' is indicative of what Amon Amarth do so extremely well, with the thrash influenced rhythm and pummeling beat the song drives the themes with a sonic muscle that will make your head move and your fist pump in savage honor to Odin. Additionally, the brilliant song 'Hel' delivers a surprise in the addition of the great Messiah Marcolin (Candelmass) as a guest vocalist and the addition of his more clean vocals as a contrast to Hegg’s gruff vocals is nothing short of spectacular. The first time I heard this song I must have replayed it ten times as I think it is one of the more daring moves that this band has made in a long time.
Overall, you can’t take away the brilliance and consistency of Amon Amarth. They have been releasing solid album after solid album for nine releases now and Deceiver of the Gods is the best that has been offered by them to date. Is it a safe album? Maybe, but most bands wish they could put out an album of this magnitude and have it considered “safe”. So, go up to your bedroom and pull out those cod pieces, battle axes, shields and helmets, put on Deceiver of the Gods and defend Asgard, for the glory of Odin!
Until later, Peace!
