This came on whilst I was in an Atlas just now... https://soundcloud.com/flybugofficial/flybug-groundshaker
A few weeks ago Amon Amarth released their 10th studio album, Jomsviking. It's also their first concept album, and I fucking love it. I've been a huge fan of Amon Amarth for years, but I have to admit that the last couple of albums they released, while not bad, left me wanting more. They felt pretty similar, and I just thought that the band could push themselves more than they were. Jomsviking is everything I could have wanted and more. Musically it features those anthemic sounds that you would expect from Amon Amarth, with frequent, powerful, choruses throughout. They also do a nice job at mixing the feel of the rousing speeds you would expect from them with some more deliberate and mournful elements throughout the album. Memorable lyrics abound amidst Hegg's grave-growls, and you've got some amazing solos like in Way of the Vikings. Story wise, for being their first concept album, they knock it out of the park. Jomsviking tells the tale of a young man who is in love with a woman. Unfortunately for him, she becomes betrothed to the Earl's right hand man. In drunken anger, brought about by this turn of events, one night our character kills the Earl's man. Subsequently disowned by his family and forced to flee the Earl's men that seek him out, he runs away swearing an oath to return to exact vengeance and take his love away. In time he comes to join the Jomsviking and travels among them for years, ravaging the countryside for whichever parties would pay the most. Spoiler: How his tale ends He returns after years of selling his sword to reclaim his love and exact his vengeance. On the eve of his awaited battle he finds her. In the many passing years, however, she has put their young love behind her, and wants nothing to do with him. Despite his impassioned argument, she rejects him- putting a knife to his throat to ward him off. Rejected and dismayed, he reflects on his squandered life as he rows through fog to the culmination of years' planning. Rowing to battle against the Earl's men, his warband is taken by surprise by a fleet far larger than they anticipated. Only death or victory lie before them, and they invoke the name of Thor as the two fleets crash upon one another. From the mists the Earl's great ship emerges, and, amidst the singing of weapons and the sting of arrows fall around them, they board. The odds quickly turn against them, however, and they look to be overcome. Just out of reach our man sees the Earl as the enemies close in about them. So close to his revenge, he is struck down and falls into the waves below. The currents carry him back to the cold Northern shores where it all began. As icy waves crash over him Freja descends to guide him through the great hall. Have a couple of samples:
THIS ALBUM IS SO FUCKING GOOD. What an absolute ride that was. The entire thing doesn't let up one bit. 10/10.
I think it's one of those albums that needs to be enjoyed on a whole, each time... Black Crown Initiate's EP is like that.
