Customer Reviews

Fate of Norns

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I seem to be on the same page with most reviewers on this one. 'Fate of Norns' is Amon Amarth's best record to date, hands down. While 'Vs. the World' showed some progression from previous recordings, this album brings the band full circle showing real maturity. I know that sounds cliche, but after one listen this album had me absolutely hooked and wanting more. The standard thrashing but melodic riffing backed by the signiture pounding beats and guttural but well-enunciated vocals growling out tales of Viking fuedalism are all still present. But this record shows something far more developed than previous albums, SONGS! Yup, the songwriting has grown leaps and bounds since the last record. The structures have been stripped down to a more simplified approach, with tighter arrangements and greater emphasis on hooks and melodious, intricate guitar work. The lyrical content has shown some of the most obvious growth. Having laid to rest shock songs about eating the eyeballs of your slain foes and the like, the new material concentrates on a much more vivid type of lyrical storytelling. Weaving stories of battle and conquest in the pre-medieval Norse world, tracks like 'Arson' and 'Pursuit of Vikings' tell their tales with the poignancy of an Icelandic saga. This will all be a disappointment to some so-called "troo" fans who will undoubtedly claim this record is too polished and commercial, but there is more to death-metal than staying entrenched in a rut for the sake of a few self-styled die-hards. If one could assemble all of these so-called elites at some kind of extreme metal seminar it would probably resemble a Midwestern American swap-meet in black t-shirts with a smattering of cheesy corpse-paint, so consider the source when reading or hearing the words of the more closed-minded sects of a fan-base. Such people are far more in the minority than they would have you believe. Anyway, back to the record; while the ambience of some songs like the atmospheric 'Where Death Seems to Dwell' and the sorrowful title track are more like mood-setters than anything these boys have done before, other songs like the vengeful 'Once Sealed in Blood', and the ferocious fist-pumper 'Valkeries Ride' show that this band still has an ample reserve of face-ripping potential. In my opinion, the more rudimentary arrangemnents and catchy moments lend these songs a more elemental and primal energy which only add to the band's natural voracity, while the moodier moments add a colorful contrast which brings out the nastiness of the slashing parts that much more. This record is simply brilliant in its dynamics. Listen and decide for yourself, but anyone dismayed by this album's newfound diversity is simply missing the point. I have faith that most metal enthusiasts know a great record when they hear it, so I'm sure the vast majority of fans will welcome 'Fate of Norns' with open arms and give it the respect it truly deserves. This record is worthy of a hero's praise, if not a God-like reverence. RAISE YOUR SWORDS!

As a big Amon Amarth fan, I eagerly anticipated this cd. And, now that I have it, I've gotta say, I am seriously impressed. It has a toned-down feel overall, yes, but it replaces some of the lost aggression with songs that carry a 'feel' to them thats impossible to ignore. Its hard to explain, it just HAS to be experienced. This is to date the best cd they've released and a contender for album of the year in my opinion. The bottom line is, I simply CANT stop listening to the thing! An amazing album full of aggression and speed, but so much melody as well.

Great album, a BIT slower paced, but still VERY good.

Standout tracks are

"The Fate of Norns"
"Arson" - my personal fav, sick solo at 4:52
"Once Sealed in Blood"

Arson + Once Sealed in Blood is a 2 part story.

Get this album if you're a fan of AA, metal or Britney Spears

At first, I was of the typical opinion that "Versus the World" was the better album. Even still, I think Amon Amarth made some of their best work on that album. But, after having both cd's for a while, I find that I turn to "Fate of Norns" more often. It has a more consistent pace and all the songs flow together. But the big thing about this album is Johan's lyrics. Whereas the songs on "Vs" seemed to be retellings of specific viking tales, on this album most of the songs turn into epic stories that Johan creates. Of course, he still draws on folklore and mythology to write the songs, but they seem to have more depth and thought put into them. Once you have a grasp on the lyrics, the songs become epic and meaningful. "The Fate of Norns," "Arson," and "The Beheading of a King" are stellar Amon Amarth songs. I like how "Once Sealed in Blood" is a continuation of "Arson," But the repetitive corus makes it one of my least favorite Amon Amarth songs ever. I can understand how many people like this album less, but if you are into Amon Amarth and are debating on purchasing this cd, you should definitely get it. I would also recommend Aeturnus "...And So the Night Became," and anything by Bolt Thrower.

I'm a huge fan of Amon Amarth's music and i find Fate of Norns very enjoyable. It's not as intense as their stuff up 'till The Avenger; i'd say it's an evolution of Versus the World's sound. The songs all seem slower, but definately still wicked heavy.
The track Fate of Norns has a sick beat, and the emotion in the lyrics really pulls at the heart-strings (seriously. a totally different subject matter from the usual stuff, i feel like lying down on a pyre myself whenever i hear it). It's by far my favorite song on the album, and maybe even my favorite AA song so far (MAYBE).
I would rate it just under Versus The World, tho it's kindof nice to see something less gloomy than VtW (what am i saying!?!?). It's pulled in the highest chart rankings in metal blade history according to their site, which is saying something. It might be more easy-listening than The Crusher or Avenger, but it's still very good. I'm glad i bought it. It's worth the money if your an AA fan, and if you're just interested in them it'd probably inspire you to explore their other releases.

I dont know alot of Viking Death metal bands but thats what i loove about this band, they sing about something different. I honestly dont kno what it is about this band that kicks ass, the riffs are just so catchy and almost unexplainable........its......Viking!! Every aspect of this band is viking, hell, even the singer looks like a viking. Is that not kick ass?!?! I really dont kno how to explain this band, but just take my word for it and buy this cd. To me viking metal is right in between Metal and death metal. Its a perfect combination.

For those of you not familiar with Amon Amarth, they basically spew out epic death metal with Norse mythology flavored lyrics (as evidenced from song titles like "Valkyries Ride" and a viking horn blow to start off "Arson"). That's where the clichés stop though (well not quite, one band member is wearing a suit of chain mail armor in a photo insert). Unlike a lot of their contemporaries, Amon Amarth rely less on complex guitar work played as fast as possible and more on a bludgeoning wall of sound that is extremely heavy while retaining a big dose of melody.

To that end, "Fate Of Norns" fully explores the slower, more menacing style they've only been hinting at in the past few efforts. The sense of an impending viking raid and all the chaos therein still permeates their music but songs like "Where Death Seems To Dwell" and the title track "Fate Of Norns" showcase a more measured, darker approach than previous efforts. There's still more double bass than you can shake a stick at but it's used more judiciously than in the past. It typically plays a big part in the more triumphant sounding parts of many songs but a larger part of almost every song is devoted to a slower, more brooding sound highlighted above. I think it's most successfully realized on the closing cut "Once Sealed In Blood". Here the slower paced bass-heavy riffs keep a heightened sense of tension leading to the inevitable payoff in the form of a properly crushing chorus.

As to whether this is better than past efforts, I have to say I'm a bigger fan of their earlier work. When the bulk of the songs have a slower bent to them, like they do here, it's hard not to miss the ferocity and aggression of albums like "The Avenger" and "The Crusher". That's not to say this album is not worth picking up. These guys still blow away 99% of death metal bands out there even on an arguably non-death metal album like "Fate Of Norns". I think the big question is will they continue to slow their sound down as they have on each successive new album? If they do, how long will listeners still care to hear about villages being slaughtered at dawn if the music doesn't communicate that level of savagery?

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Amon Amarth's Viking Death Metal career has been an unwavering path of destruction ever since Once Sent From The Golden Hall. With probably the best guitar sound to ever hit metal, Amon Amarth are essential to any death metal fan.

Fate of Norns is, just like every other Amon Amarth album, superb. "Beheading of a King", and "Once Sealed In Blood" are extremely good songs, and "Pursuit of Vikings" is one of my favourite death metal songs.

I'd say the vocals on this album are pretty much the best they've ever been, and the writing and mixing is also at a highpoint.

My only complaint would be that its too short!

Recommended for death metal fans, especially Hypocrisy fans.

This album is a tribute to the Viking Metal genera. The story telling woven with the simple yet heart pounding riffs is enough to make you want to down a horn of mead grab a sword and jump on a longboat. This is a worthy work of art. Anyone interested in Metal should give this one a chance. If you'r into Viking Metal it is an insult to Odin not to get this album!

I eagerly awaited this one to come out. I had only started getting into Amon Amrth when I first heard "Death In Fire" off Vs. The World. That CD is great. I feel this one is a little more melodic but still great and has their Viking feel to it. This CD is very listenable from Ancient Signs to Once Sealed with my favorites being The Fate Of Norns and Pursuit Of Vikings. I cannot get enough of this disc!