AmON AmARTH chart their rise with an epic documentary.
The Pursuit Of Vikings MUSIC FOR NATIONS Epic Swedes chronicle their own saga
FeW Who have witnessed Amon Amarth’s epic shows over the past decade leave feeling less than triumphant, yet from an objective viewpoint it’s still a mystery how a bunch of burly
Swedes playing melodic yet gruff death metal purely about Viking history and mythology have now found themselves in the exclusive festival headliner bracket. This passionate documentary subtitled ‘25 Years In The Eye Of The Storm’ asks the question of how that happened, charting Amon
Amarth’s false starts in their first decade before the turning point when Versus The World and Fate Of Norns took them from part-time raiders to fully fledged conquerors. The band themselves are amiable and honest as they chart their history, while interviews with their fans and those who have helped guide the ship reveal how all the factors that have set them on this course are ultimately down to hard work and a peerless devotion to the craft – though a fair bit of tongue-incheek deprecation comes in handy, too. The concerts themselves cover two sets at 2017’s Summer Breeze festival in Germany, with the full bells and whistles
(and flames, armour-clad warriors, inflatable serpent etc) headline performance on the main stage, as well as a special set of mostly deep cuts on the T Stage. That was named after the late Metal Blade Europe label manager Michael Trengert, who was crucial to not just the festival’s ascent but played a vital role in turning Amon Amarth from a formidable live band to world-conquering headliners. The footage of them in full flight, even without the colossal stage budget, is superbly captured, while the audio alone reveals how tight the band are and a reminder of their ability to write consistently brilliant anthems in the shape of Cry Of The Blackbirds, War Of The Gods and At Dawn’s First Light.
FOR FANS OF: Insomnium, Arch Enemy, Ensiferum
ADAM REES