Customer Reviews

The Avenger

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It does not come often that I award 5 stars to an album, and when I do it means that I have found something truly special! Although initially averted from the sound, I gave these Swedes a chance and was thoroughly rewarded with one of the best metal recordings I have found in a long time.

At first listen, Amon Amarth's music may sound like a buch of noise (I originally made this mistake). But when one listens to the works, it is evident that a lot of intelligent composition has been drawn upon to write these great pieces. Instead of relying on a lead guitarist and synths for melody (as in the great Children of Bodom), Amon Amarth form complex melodies via the clever use of chords. And these are not your grandfather's chords either! The progressions are lenghty and quite melodical. Amon Amarth have definitely one of the deepest and fullest sounds in the Euro metal scene today...

'The Avenger' is Amon Amarth's sophomore release and continues to build on the great debut 'Once Sent From the Golden Halls.' Now, I will refrain from basing my review on the core beliefs of the band's members as they really do not have anything to do with the music (vocals are another matter- intelligent discourse on Pagan beliefs, frustrations, mythology, etc).

I am currently listening to "North Sea Storm" and cannot help but smile at the beauty of brutality! The song has about three or four different movements and a handful of melodic paces. "Bleed for Ancient Gods", "The Last With Pagan Blood", "God, His Son and Holy Whore" are other songs that stand the test of time. The only song I don't have much attachment to, though, is the title track "Avenger."

I pride myself on being one to go out and give countless unheard metal talent a chance in case of finding hidden treasures! This album is definitely a motherload of great music and I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a great new band... and Amon Amarth have not even reached their peak yet!

My God, Amon Amarth simply cannot go wrong. They have a certain formula that is utterly untouchable by others. Im a fan of the old saying "If it aint broke, then dont try to fix it" I hope their next album utilizes the sam formula. And just for the record, the vocals are harsh, growling and shrieking. If you can't take, then go to the Korn and Limp Bizkit pages and buy that crap. Get out of the extreme pages, because chances are,you are a trendy kornalike or you are too old. Back to the album now. The songs Bleed for Ancient Gods and Last with Pagan Blood are simply masterpieces. Metalwrath describes how there are bands out there that simply suck(Korn, Limp Bizkit, Staind, Sevendust, Slipknot, Spineshank). Needless to say, these bands should here this song. North Sea Storm is also classic brutal death metal with a little hint of melody. This cd is not for the faint of heart, but if you like it brutal, violent, and with no influence from money or record labels or MTV, then this is for you. Worth the price of admission for Last with Pagan Blood alone. Perfect.

Fine death metal with a psuedo-atmosphereic and even black edge to it. The beautiful guitar melodies and harmonies are great. The drumming is tight as hell. The vocalist is quite versatile, his voice rangind to a low growl to a higher shriek. The listening experience creates a mideavil milleu that brought me back the dark ages. When reading along in the liner notes(the vocals are great, but uncomprehendable), the music tells stories of battle and such. As for the vocal converation(check the previous reviews), there are few points to be made. Yes, if you don't like screechs and grows, then maybe this isn't for you. But, this doesn't mean you must abandon metal. Bruce Dickenson(you should know who this is!) may possibly be the greatest metal vocalist ever.

this cd is easily the equal of once sent from the golden hall. It's probably the best viking metal cd released to date. My only complaint is the length. the cd is only 36 minutes long. The songs contained within these 36 minutes however are terrific. I've never heard something so heavy yet so melodic. the only thing which comes close is Opeth or in flames. The new drummer more than adequatley fills in for Martin lopez and the band is now actually a full quintet. I reccomend this cd for anyone who likes metal especially those who like WAR

I love amon amarths form of death/viking metal, but once sent was far superior to the avenger. A little longer, a little more technical, and a little more melodically interesting, all these things once sent from the golden hall was. With drummer martin lopez gone for opeth, the technicality of the music definatley suffers. The sound quality sounds somewhat weaker, the lyrics a little more uninteresting and the guitar riffs less eoically melodic. Still a very good cd, especially the 1st 3 tracks, but the title track is worthless, and all around, it is definatley a step in the wrong direction for amon amarth.

Perfect all the way through. No filler. Put it on and get a full CD's worth of awesome. If you like metal as hard as it comes, and don't mind harmony, buy this today. Unless, as stated in other reviews, you are old and or dumb.

Heard it over in Germany(for the first time). These guys have music down. Totally mean yet melodic riffs that pump you up. The best track on the album is most definitely Last with Pagan Blood-- it even challenges Without Fear from Once Sent. Not much one can say besides "Pick it the f..k up!"

Amon Amarth once again proves their worth with "The Avenger". AA is definitely among my favorite metal bands, and the melodic, catchy riffs and excellent, brutal, yet clear vocals that once made me interested in the band are still very much alive on "The Avenger". The sound is slightly different than on their last effort, but not much. The music is pretty much the same, but there is a change in the tonal quality. A bit, I don't know, lighter? Evil? It is neither better nor worse, mind. It may be a different production, is all.

It took me a couple of times listening to the album to really get to grips with the songs, but they are really, really good. You'll be humming the main riff from the title song before you know it. I didn't really care for the live versions though. They are probably a very good live band, but on a CD their live performance is far too close to the studio version to be of any interest. I would've rather had two or three more songs and no live bonus.

All in all, a really good album. Good riff based songs with properly good vocals. And it's all about vikings, what's there not to like?

The cool thing about Amon Amarth is that they can continue the same sound without sounding old or like they are regurgitating a previous album. This album follows up "Once Sent From the Golden Hall" and delivers a platter of metal that leaves you wanting more. The production here is a bit raw, at least compared to more modern recordings. Though probably not necessary, I would like for it to get remastered like its predecessor.

Whether you buy this album or not, is up to you, its a good album but there is only one song thats really incredible and that is metalwrath.