Berserker
Amon Amarth · 2019
56 min · 12 tracks · melodic death metal
Epic melodic death metal intertwines Norse mythology with thunderous riffs and commanding vocals, creating an immersive sonic journey.
Top tracks — play these first
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Fafner’s Gold — The opening track sets a powerful tone with its driving riffs and thematic focus on mythological treasures, capturing the album's essence right from the start.
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Mjölner, Hammer of Thor — This track showcases anthemic choruses combined with ferocious instrumentation, embodying the band's ability to blend mythology with heavy metal intensity.
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Shield Wall — Focusing on themes of unity and battle, this track features a compelling narrative that resonates deeply within Amon Amarth's discography.
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The Berserker at Stamford Bridge — This song tells a vivid story of historical conflict, illustrating the band's strength in songwriting and their unique approach to storytelling through music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Berserker combines powerful riffs with Norse themes, showcasing solid craftsmanship but not breaking new ground in its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a thunderous riff in 'Fafner’s Gold' that sets a high-energy tone, which is maintained through the first half of the record.
- Each track features intricate guitar harmonies and layered vocals, often alternating between melodic singing and harsh growls.
- Several tracks incorporate orchestral elements, such as strings and choirs, particularly in 'Crack the Sky' and 'Mjölner, Hammer of Thor', enhancing the epic feel.
- The last three tracks slow down slightly in tempo, allowing for a more reflective atmosphere before concluding with 'Into the Dark'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo anthemic energy
- epic themes of mythology
- fierce instrumentation for empowerment
- sing-along choruses with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek delicate, soft melodies
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Achieved highest chart position, marking a notable milestone in their career.
- Career context
- By the time Amon Amarth released 'Berserker' in 2019, they were well-established in the melodic death metal scene, having released nine studio albums prior. This album marked a continuation of their thematic exploration of Norse mythology, following their previous successful record 'Jomsviking' from 2016, and showcased their evolving sound while retaining their signature style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Arch Enemy· Children of Bodom· In Flames
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Fafner’s Gold 5:00
- 2 Crack the Sky 3:49
- 3 Mjölner, Hammer of Thor 4:42
- 4 Shield Wall 3:46
- 5 Valkyria 4:43
- 6 Raven’s Flight 5:20
- 7 Ironside 4:30
- 8 The Berserker at Stamford Bridge 5:13
- 9 When Once Again We Can Set Our Sails 4:24
- 10 Skoll and Hati 4:27
- 11 Wings of Eagles 4:03
- 12 Into the Dark 6:48
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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