Amon Amarth “Fate of Norns”

Mythology has always inspired Art which, in turn, has made possible to portray a more realistic scenario of what lies in the higher and lower levels. In this case, the Scandinavian mythology has always been a part of this band that no one certainly doubts to have achieved cult status. For years, they have tread the path of centuries ago, rediscovering the signs of torment and glory left by their Viking ancestors, the braveness of those which feared nothing but their gods, the respect they induced in others that saw them as demons…
This is their most recent release and, without a doubt, another blazing sun for the underground… The line – up still marches onwards with a fierce and ravishing sound that, although isn’t known for being brutally fast, still portrays a wide range of emotions, a freezing down the spine.
This is Melodic Death – Metal at its very best, a superb follow – up to “Versus the World”, although this last one is a bit more in your face and seems to be more capable to guide us to a vicious headbanging. Nevertheless, “Fate of the Norns” has deeper mourning tunes that still flow through your head a long time after you listen to it. It is easy to understand why it was named “Fate of Norns” as it seems that each song engraves our soul with a more depressive and highly emotional tragedy. At a lyrical level I could put it as Johan’s very best as he tends to draw us into the pits of a saddened environment that is known as Death. A curse that gathers all our hopes and shivers our eyes…
In my humble opinion, this is even better than the previous ones although in terms of song-writing they follow the same structure, delivering us, almost the time, such melodic urges at a mid-tempo basis. Being recorded at Berno studios, it is surely one more guaranty of sound quality, although the production could be a bit better this time…
I don’t usually dissect the songs as I prefer to give a more overall look… and won’t do now either but I wouldn’t find this review complete if I didn’t mention those fiery portraits that stroked me deep within.
I gather as sheer brilliance “Where Death seems to dwell”, “The pursuit of vikings”, “The beheading of a king”, “Arson”, “Once sealed in blood”, but the ultimate nail in a just yet feeble heart is the title track “Fate of Norns” which, as I heard and read the lyrics at the same time, made me almost cry. Never did I thought a Death – metal song would make me feel like that but this is not only about power and evilness but also about loss and emotions for they always have a large account on music… and on our souls… Hell, this is a Cd that contains the perfect ingredients for a heavy night of pure headbanging!!!
The limited edition of this release contains a Dvd of their gig at the 'Grand Rokk' in Reykjawijk, Iceland, recorded on March 5 2004. In spite of the audio quality not being the best they don’t fail to present us with a vast repertoire spanning some of their cds.
There are few bands that approach the borders of geniality and probably you have some on your mind. Amon Amarth has been one of mine for quite a long time and their most recent release doesn’t let them fall from their status!!!