Amon Amarth — Twilight Of The Thunder God

You'd think Amon Amarth would have run out of ideas for songs after seven albums of Viking-inspired metal tunes. But don't underestimate the Swedish quintet's encyclopedic knowledge of their ancestry.

For example, did you know "Miklagaard" is the Viking word for the Roman capital of Constantinople, the city now known as Istanbul, Turkey? "Varyags" were the Viking bodyguards of the Byzantine ruler of Constantinople. Both of these facts provide the basis of "Varyags Of Miklagaard."

Besides encouraging research into old Norse mythology, Amon Amarth also give a lesson in Swedish death metal with some of their catchiest riffs and solos, along with the band's most varied songs. "Where Is Your God?" is a pummeling track perfect for when you're racing your long boat down the Baltic Sea, while the rocking introduction for "Live For The Kill" is well-suited for the celebration after a hard-fought battle.

All Viking joking aside, Twilight Of The Thunder God ranks Amon Amarth highly alongside some of the genre's pioneers when it comes to Swedish melodic death metal bands.

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