Viking Metal

Distinguished chiefly by its lyrical or conceptual content, viking metal originated in Scandinavia in the late 1980s. Musically, it may be more more accurate to describe much of viking metal as melodic death metal or power metal but, as its lineage indicates, viking metal has been greatly influenced by black metal as well. Whatever. It's heavy as all get out and it's about viking stuff - the loss of a treasured son in battle, prayers for Odin's blessing, conquest of foreign lands, etc. Although bands such as Bathory and Enslaved are often credited with inventing this sub genre, Amon Amarth might be considered today's leading practitioners and have a history longer than their recent success would suggest. The band, named for a volcano in Tolkien's Middle Earth, has been around since 1992, very near the infant cries of Viking Metal. Their latest release, Twilight of the Thunder God, has been met so well by fans that the band claims to have finally been able to quit their day jobs. The album taps guest musicians from the bands Entombed, Apocalyptica, and Children of Bodom. If you borrow this record from us, the set includes a special bonus - a DVD of Amon Amarth live at Summer Breeze 2007. It's a rousing performance complete with fortress walls and staged battles. Lead vocalist Johan Hegg frequently growls from the bow of a viking ship at center stage! If you like what you see, you're in luck. The band is touring the U.S. as we speak and will be as close as Louisville and Cleveland later this month.

-- Steve, Main Library