Five Swedish vikings collectively known as Amon Amarth stroke with their fifth full length album back in 2004. Familiar looking cover artwork style promised something trustworthy, but what happened?

During 12 years of existence, Amon Amarth have polished their viking craft more than one might expect in a hurried observation. On 'Fate of Norns' many confronted their fear which originated from the previous album, 'Versus the World' (2002); the band had slowed down and become considerably melodic. But I think that this point of view about this album is a hurried observation, even though partly valid. Still, Amon Amarth are warriors after all, and that can be perceived during the pillaging songs such as 'An Ancient Sign of Coming Storm', 'The Pursuit of Vikings, 'Valkyries Ride' and 'Once Sealed in Blood'. On these songs, one can smell fresh, running blood. Rotting corpses reek on eerie 'Where Death Seems to Dwell' and salty tears taste on 'The Fate of Norns' and 'Arson' (almost a plodding song, but listen to that climax). 'The Beheading of a King' should cause battle frenzy, but doesn't manage to do that. Thankfully, it is the shortest song on the album, so no much harm caused, because there's so many bull's-eyes here: Tracks 1, 3, 4 and 8 alone make this worth of any metal music collection. The duration of 40 minutes is still an issue, methinks, especially with weaker 'Beheading..' stealing some minutes.

The rhythm section rumble like a horde of mounted troops, the guitars sweep like the angry wind and the dry throat growl, yet emotionally broad, vocals sound like of life experienced. The sound of the band is unique, and because of bigger emotional scale and increasing of the melodiousness, even more so than ever before. This also sounds warmer than anything previously. This is due to the raw, organic production job by Berno Paulsson (e.g. Deranged, The Haunted). The band's performance isn't note-perfect, but therefore it smells of sweat and sounds totally soulful. You can hear fingers moving on the fretboards... Beautiful! Intelligent and small use of sound effects raise the atmosphere even further.

Lyricswise this pictures historical viking life. From real life things such as "working" (being a warrior, that is!) to historical events and beliefs. Whereas 'Valkyries Ride' is full of barbarity and 'The Pursuit of Vikings' full of defiance, 'The Fate of Norns' is an incredibly emotional song about a man losing his young son to death. Norns? Yes, demigods weaving the web of all life, past, present and future together. There's quite a lot of this mythology thing, of course.

About the bonus DVD: 'Amon Amarth Vs Iceland'... Yes, people headbang one meter away from the band and Mr. Hegg has to push some sad bastard off the stage. So the band wins, hehe. The "Grand Rokk" venue is probably the same size as my 30 square meter flat! Filmed with about 5 cameras, 2 of them on-stage. Stereo-only sound, probably audience recording and while everything's audible enough, same goes to audience: even some audience talking is heard, but thankfully not much. No light show, just damned orange and blue lights. There's some mixing problems, but that's the live spirit. Anyways, this gig was intense and I think better than the worst 'Wrath of the Norsemen' DVD material. Actually, better than some official band DVDs sold with a high price. Surprisingly, no preview of any 'Fate of Norns' material is heard, even though this was filmed March 5th 2004. Anyways, a very tasty setlist, suitably ending with anthemic 'Victorious March'. A good extra for a fan, surely.

'Fate of Norns' is a junction for the band, where their past, present and future are weaved together. Some of the fans of the old material tumbled off, many new ones came onboard and some remained steadily seated on the benches of this steadfast dragonship. Lift up your drinking horns or bugger off!!!

Rating: 8½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
10/19/2007 10:41