Death metal from Sweden has always triggered storms of enthusiasm among the followers of this music genre - in the case of Amon Amarth, quite rightly so. Since the founding of their melodic death metal band, the five boys have won countless national and international awards. Amon Amarth's live shows also regularly cause a sensation at relevant festivals.
The career path of Amon Amarth starts in 1992 in Tumba, a suburb of the Swedish capital Stockholm. In that year, the band changes their previous name Scum - under which they have been fruitlessly trying to release a death metal demo since 1988 - to Amon Amarth. The incentive for the change to the successful track was, among other things, the band affiliation of singer Johan Hegg.
A Singaporean record company discovers Amon Amarth's potential
By signing a cooperation agreement with a Singaporean record company in 1994, the band set the course for their success. Two years later, the formation releases its first mini-CD entitled "Sorrow Throughout The Nine Worlds". In the same year, Amon Amarth switch to Metal Blade Records - a successful metal label from Los Angeles.
In February 1998, the band released their first studio album: "One Sent From The Golden Hall" marked the start of Amon Amarth's numerous tours around the globe. Several line-up changes follow, but they don't stand in the way of the quintet's breakthrough.
Tickets for Amon Amarth, whether for single concerts or festival shows, have been in hot demand ever since. With their songs from the album "The Avenger" the band brought the famous Wacken Open Air to a boil for the first time in 1999.
But tours through Europe and the USA also ensure that the following of the melodic death metal combo grows steadily. The studio albums, which are released at regular intervals, do the rest to enthuse old and new fans alike.
Viking metal with melody and message
Amon Amarth combine typical death metal heaviness with melodic accents. As many song titles already suggest, the lyrics of Johan Hegg and his boys thematise Nordic myths and the ancient Vikings.
The Norsemen from Sweden also process profound thoughts in their songs and address social grievances. The band also takes a clear stance against the appropriation of Nordic symbols by right-wing groups. The guitar, bass and drums are all the band needs for the musical accompaniment to their lyrics.
The name of the band is based on J. R. R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings". In the literary and cinematic masterpiece, Amon Amarth is one of the names for the famous "Mount Doom" where the ring is to be destroyed. However, the name does not have a deeper meaning for Johan Hegg and Co. According to him, the name simply fits perfectly to a - respectively his - death metal formation.
Amon Amarth's chart successes
After initial difficulties in the immediate aftermath of the founding of Amon Amarth, the combo has built up an impressive chart record over the years. Among their most successful albums are:
- "Fate Of Norns"
- "With Oden On Our Side"
- "Twilight Of The Thunder God"
- "Surtur Rising"
- "Deceiver Of The Gods"
- "Jomsviking"
- "Berserker"
.
The albums "Jomsviking" and "Berserker" even make it to number 1 in the German charts for several weeks. Amon Amarth also perform gloriously in Austria, Switzerland and of course in the band's home country. The band also has a considerable fan base in the United States.
At live performances, Amon Amarth prove that they have more than earned their success: Spectacular backdrops, pyro shows and unbridled energy make a concert by the death metal combo a rousing, unforgettable experience.
