Asian Invasion here and today I've got a real treat for any metal fan abound. These boys have been a superb melodic death metal act out of Sweden for many years. They've released many a great album and their newest effort, Deceiver Of The Gods, is no different. This is Amon Amarth. THIS IS METAL!
The title track, which is the first track, is an all out assault. It's tempo, fluidity and fantastic vocals harken back to great opening songs such as Twilight Of The Thunder God. I've had it stuck in my head for a week now and it's not going away any time soon.
"As Loke Falls" pipes in some of the absolute best melodies I've ever heard in an Amon song up to this point. It just sets an amazing tone for the rest of the disc. It never lets up on the brutality, which is something everyone recognizes with each passing record. Johan Hegg is delivering some of his fiercest growls ever and the overall construct of the album never fades. Hegg even has a wonderful duet track with none other than ex-Candlemass frontman Messiah Marcolin on the song "Hel". It proves to be a standout in an entire album full of standouts.
The closing track, "Warriors of The North" is a great way to close this masterpiece with almost Iron Maiden or Judas Priest-like riffage. This is exactly what final tracks on albums should sound like. They never took their fingers off the intensity button and it's thick layered guitars and drums are refreshing all the way through.
Andy Sneap lent his talented hands to the production of this record and it shows. He's worked with the proverbial who's who of metal bands the likes of Testament, Opeth, Accept etc. His ability is so apparent and you can easily tell it's a Sneap album, which is a very good thing.
Hell, even the album cover is just as epic as the music on the disc. The band themselves had this to say about it. "The Cover depicts the last battle between the Gods and Loki who arrives at Vigridr field accompanied by the army of the dead during Ragnarok, the end of the world. We hope you enjoy it."
I enjoyed EVERYTHING about the cover and album that I want to go out and fight the gods myself! It pumps me up to no end and you're not a true metal fan if you don't dig this band and this new effort, ready to hit store shelves on June 25th.
Hit up your local retailer online or in person the second this drops and plunk down your hard earned cash because this album is worth it's weight in gold.
Asian Invasion signing out. Stay metal! Stay Amon Amarth!
