Amon Amarth - The Great Heathen Army (Album Interview)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ส.ค. 2022
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Johan Hegg: Vocals
Olavi Mikkonen: Guitar
Johan Söderberg: Guitar
Ted Lundström: Bass
Jocke Wallgren: Drums
From pole to pole and sea to sea, AMON AMARTH are undisputed kings of Viking heavy metal. Formed in Tumba, Sweden, in 1992, they have forged an extraordinary legacy over three decades of thunderous, anthemic metal, all rich in the magical imagery of Viking history, folklore and culture.
From their underground smash debut Once Sent From The Golden Hall (1998) onwards, Amon Amarth have been an unstoppable creative force. With a unique and unmistakable sound that combines the best of several epic strains of metal, the quintet have become renowned for their ageless anthems and explosive, theatrical live shows. Albums like 2008's widely acclaimed Twilight Of The Thunder God and 2016's conceptual triumph Jomsviking, the Swedes have been consistent standard bearers for heavy metal as a life-affirming and communal experience, armed with a seemingly endless stream of instant classic songs.
Now reaping the rewards of all those years of hard work, Amon Amarth are now regarded as one of the metal world's most vital and imperious live acts. From headlining festivals across Europe to claiming a place on Slayer's final tour of the US in 2019, they have honoured the adventurous ethos of their Viking forebears by taking their music anywhere and everywhere.
Unfortunately, as the world ground to a halt early in 2020, Amon Amarth were in the midst of a wildly successful world tour in support of their most recent album, Berserker. Disappointed but unbowed, the band decided instead to forge a new creative path, resulting in their most crushing and heroic full-length album to date, The Great Heathen Army.
"Basically, we were in South America when the shit hit the fan, so we had to cancel the last couple of shows and head home," recalls vocalist Johan Hegg. "At first we thought we'd just see how it played out, and maybe book a couple of tours, but fairly soon we realised it was going to be a long hiatus. When it was getting close to being a year, we thought, fuck it, there's no point in going back out on the road with an old album, so let's just start working on new stuff instead. So that's what we did."
One of the best-loved metal bands in the world, Amon Amarth are firmly dedicated to aiming high when they hit the studio. Recorded with esteemed studio guru Andy Sneap at the controls, The Great Heathen Army represents another bold leap forward for the band, as their trademark sound undergoes yet another skilful, evolutionary overhaul, both lyrically and musically. From the noisily rabble-rousing Find A Way Or Make One and the pummelling, pugilistic Get In The Ring, to the evocative fury of Saxons & Vikings and the cinematic squall of the title track, The Great Heathen Army encapsulates the essence of this legendary band, while still allowing acres of space for new ideas.
"Again, The Great Heathen Army is not a concept album like Jomsviking, but I'm taking inspiration from some of the same historical elements," says Hegg. "There were also some really cool and different ideas I wanted to explore, and they came very much from my wife, Maria, who has been tapping into the more esoteric aspects of Viking lifestyle and culture. Musically, I would say there are a couple of surprises on there, a little bit of uncharted territory for Amon Amarth. Overall it's one of the heavier albums we've made. There are some dark and heavy songs that are really powerful and in-your-face, but we obviously have some trademark Amon Amarth songs on there as well, and a few surprises. It's a really well-balanced album. It sounds great. Andy Sneap is awesome. It was great to be able to work with him again."
Buoyed by the most dynamic and destructive set of songs Amon Amarth have written in a long time, The Great Heathen Army is an album fuelled by inspirational stories. While still rooted in times past, these tales of bravery, brutality and dogged determination have very obvious resonances amid the troubled times we live in today.
"That's kind of what the song Find A Way Or Make One is about," Hegg notes. "You might be facing obstacles, whether it's the pandemic or something else, and there are no ways around it, so you have to make a way. That's what the Vikings did. You can't stop fighting just because there is something in your way. I often use mythology and history as a backdrop for other things I want to discuss. I've always done that. The Great Heathen Army is about when the invading Viking fleet arrived in England in 865 AD. The Vikings had been raiding England for a long time, but this army was something else. It was an invasion army and deadly effective against the British. It's a massive historical event. It's fascinating. Somehow, the English won and they defeated the heathen army, so anything is possible!" - เพลง
Everything about Amon Amarth is perfection. Period.
Ja, like a medium rare steak w/ a side of potatoes and onions
This has been on repeat for the last several days . One of the best AA albums yet. I can’t get enough of that guitar tone…very creative writing overall.
I know A.A. since 1999 .Sorrow Throughout The Nine Worlds was my first A.A CD (And i still have today) One of the best Swedish Metal bands ever! And they're never sold out!!! FULL RESPECT!!!
Saw them twice last year, getting ready to see them on the other side of the country this year! One of the best bands to ever do it! 🔥
So happy I got to see them live this December was the best experience of live concerts I’ve seen. They’re my favorite Melodic death metal band🤘🏼 😍🔥🤘🏼 they need more recognition, they are amazing!!
I knew these guys were good, but until recently I didn't quite realize HOW good.
F'ing amazing!
Throwing up the horns for Amon Amarth!
Kinda bums me out how tough things are for metal music these days, there’s no reason a band as well known as Amon amarth only has 130k views on TH-cam album stream.
This! For us Amon Amarth is one of those headliner bands, that any Metallistener knows, or at least has heard of. For some they are even „too popular“…. but outside of the metal world noone knows bands like this. It bums you out for good reason.
My man is wearing a Death shirt. Niiiice.
I love this band. See you in November fellas.
just found these guys a few weeks back. fricken badassery.
Amazing band. Not one song is bad on any of their CDs. All are great. The quality has been maintained after all these years. Almost no band can say that. To me their music is feel good music. I feel great and uplifted after listening to them. Pumped and stoked. I grew up in the 70s on the original heavy metal groups. The band is up there with the best. The guitars and drums are incredible. Glad Johan sings like a man. They also speak better English than I do and I'm American. LOL. If there is a perfect band out there these are the guys. Keep up the great work.
They crushed it again 🔥
Killer album🤘🏼Love Heidrun🤘🏼
This is a really good video🤘
I don't understand how people cannot like the album art I thought it was awesome
Weak people fear the image they represent
Love the album. They can’t do wrong in my opinion.
See you September 23 in Oslo🤘🏼
See you guys in December! SEATTLE!! 🤘🤘
Get Udo to sing on your next album please please please that would be perfect
RIP Olavi's father
11:30 nice
Best band ever
he's one of cutest guys in metal.
The new album is great! In my opinion it is on the same level as Twilight and Deceiver. It is a dark and heavy and non-popular album, not like Jomsviking and Berserker were. Although my absolute favorite album is still Surtur rising.
What? Dark? Lol. Get into the ring. Saxon. Heidrun
I fuckin’ love vikings
Prego mescuzi el brutal
My question is this...Why are the members of Amon speaking better English than most of my fellow americans?
Public speaking and interviews helps vs everyday banter
Make Vikings and Saxons please they make a video music video please
I've been a fan my whole life. I like this new album but it seems melody and lore was left out compared to prior albums and it makes for a fairly generic album.
That might be right
There are two venomous snakes in England fyi
I'm bored by the new album for its cartoonist quality tbh. It feels shallower than the others. It feels 'commercial on purpose'. The intro song is just crap.
I'm very sorry about your father. I lost my father back in. 2011.