Written by Rob Botten TRACK LISTING Fafner’s Gold Crack The Sky Mjölner, Hammer Of Thor Shield Wall Valkyria Raven’s Flight Ironside The Berserker At Stamford Bridge When Once We Can Set Our Sails Skoll & Hati Wings Of Eagles Into The Dark Release Date: May 3, 2019 Label: Metal Blade Records / Sony Music Website: www.amonamarth.com |
Johan Hegg - Vocals / Olavi Mikkonen - Lead Guitar / Ted Lundstörm - Bass
Johan Söderberg - Rhythm Guitar / Jocke Wallgren - Drums
Upon starting up Berserker’s first song “Fafner’s Gold”, you’ll be treated with a calming yet eerie melodic intro, only to get blasted by a full dose of this album’s pure raw energy. Things are only just getting started, as the next few tracks take on a whole new level of that addictive Amon Amarth sound that just makes you want to get up and move. Song to song, this album just refuses to hold back, even with the slower of songs “The Beserker At Stamford Bridge.” As for Johan Hegg’s vocals, they are sounding better than ever. You know you are listening to a good album when your hair begins to stand on end, and this album does just that exceptionally well. One thing that made me truly like this album is the variation each song has. There are some albums where the songs begin to sound the same, and all bands can be guilty of producing an album like this. Although any song you hear off this album is recognizable to Berserker, you will not get bored listening to the whole album.
I'll be honest right now by saying that I've had a hard time truly enjoying Amon Amarth’s work since Twilight Of The Thunder God. There is something about that album that will pump me up no matter what mood I’m in. The albums in between that one and this new one aren’t bad albums by any means, but in comparison to their 2008 release, they just don’t match up. Well, I can happily say Berserker is just as good. What Berserker does have is that raw, brutal, Amon Amarth sound with some of their best yet production quality, guitar work and drumming I’ve heard. I will be honest; before I started up the album for the first time I did not have the highest of expectations. However, with the first song alone, I was very impressed with what I was hearing. Many songs are already on my workout playlist and I can see myself not getting tired of hearing them any time soon either. This is one you just cannot miss – whether you are into viking death metal or not.
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