I agree, Hel is awesome.
I'd love a Johan-only version though.
As for the influence songs... not a fan, at all. Too weak. Drums are too low, and the guitars are sounding waaaay too weak for my taste.
Warriors of the north gave me such a case of goosebumps that even the beard bristles on my cheek stood at attention. I think I felt a tear as well. Bloody awesome album closer.
OMG - to me HEL is Amon Amarth's worst song ever.
What is that????
Never thought Valkyries Ride could ever lose its last places in my personal ranking.
Looks like Hel is going to be one of those songs people really like or really hate. No gray area. I don't think anyone likes Valkyrie's Ride so, by default, Hel is better.
I agree, Hel is awesome.
I'd love a Johan-only version though.
As for the influence songs... not a fan, at all. Too weak. Drums are too low, and the guitars are sounding waaaay too weak for my taste.
I've listened to them all now, and I think they're hilarious! They sound EXACTLY like the bands they are imitating. Not amazing songs or anything, but a very funny gimmick
For those who don't know, that's Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Motorhead and Judas Priest. Makes me wish they had done something with Iron Maiden!
Exactly! Cliche filled, tongue-in-cheek, not to be taken seriously, old school metal! They nailed it perfectly. Those who weren't around in the 70s or 80s probably don't appreciate it as much. Sure, you can listen to the songs from that time period, but living in the culture was something else. Good times. Good times.
Loving this album, Surtur Rising was just "so-so" by AA standards (especially (fixed) considering how awesome the 2 previous albums where). But I think this album will rank among my favorites, really loving "As Loke Falls", "Under Siege", "We Shall Destroy" and "Warriors Of The North".
"Surtur Rising", to me, was fucking awesome. I should point out that I do not own the other Amon Amarth CDs. I happened to stumble upon them (Amon Amarth) two weeks back, and I had to get the Surtur Rising CD after I had heard "Slaves of Fear", which, due to my fierce Atheism, just fell inlove with. - However one song doesn't make one album, but the album overall was fucking awesome. It is well thought-through, well composed, and the storytelling is top-notch. Saying that Surtur Rising was "so-so" is to shoot... I'll use a different expression... - is to AXE oneself in the chest, HARD.
Sure, we all have different tastes, as can clearly be noticed when discussing "HEL", but to call Surtur Rising a "so-so" album is to either a; have a severe hearing problem. Or b: Actively trying to not like the album. ...Or C: The album actually IS "so-so", in comparison to the other albums, which means... that I have most definitely missed out on a lot of good music.
"HEL" made me read the Gylfaginning by Snorre Sturluson, to give myself more background into the story that was being told. And after doing so, I came to not just love the song itself, but also love the story. - Do yourselves a favor and read this while listening through "HEL" a few times.
Here's something one can check up. Click & Click
Here's a snippet:
High says that Odin sent the gods to gather the children and bring them to him. Upon their arrival, Odin threw Jörmungandr into "that deep sea that lies round all lands," Odin threw Hel into Niflheim, and bestowed upon her authority over nine worlds, in that she must "administer board and lodging to those sent to her, and that is those who die of sickness or old age." High details that in this realm Hel has "great Mansions" with extremely high walls and immense gates, a hall called Éljúðnir, a dish called "Hunger," a knife called "Famine," the servant Ganglati (Old Norse "lazy walker"[7]), the serving-maid Ganglöt (also "lazy walker"[7]), the entrance threshold "Stumbling-block," the bed "Sick-bed," and the curtains "Gleaming-bale." High describes Hel as "half black and half flesh-coloured," adding that this makes her easily recognizable, and furthermore that Hel is "rather downcast and fierce-looking."[8]
I also ended up writing a lengthy review for "Deceiver Of The Gods".
I ended up scoring the new CD fairly high.
It is a damn shame that Amon Amarth aren't that popular here in Sweden.
First, welcome to the world of Amon Amarth. When you listen to the AA haters out there you are usually listening to people who are just looking for new riffs and could care less about lyrics, storytelling, history, mythology, etc. True Amon Amarth fans, like you'll find on this forum, do very much care about all facets of the music and storytelling.
As far as the song Hel is concerned it does not fit into the typical AA style and, therefore, has drawn mixed reactions. I too like it for the story. Johan Hegg writes great lyrics. Here are a few of my favorite AA songs that tell a wonderful tale.
Hermod's Ride to Hel: Loke's Treachery Part I, Tock's Taunt: Loke's Treachery Part II, Fate of Norns, Across the Rainbow Bridge, Embrace of the Endless Ocean, Thousand Years of Oppression, Amon Amarth, The Last Stand of Frej, Victorious March, Twilight of the Thundergod, etc.