Hymns to the Rising Sun
Amon Amarth · 2010
67 min · 14 tracks · melodic death metal
Amon Amarth's melodic death metal blends Norse mythology with thunderous riffs and epic storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Twilight of the Thunder God — This track serves as a powerful opener, encapsulating the band's signature sound with its intense riffs and narrative based on Norse mythology.
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Guardians of Asgaard — Featuring lyrical themes that celebrate Viking heritage, this song's anthemic chorus exemplifies Amon Amarth's ability to blend aggression with melody.
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Cry of the Black Birds — This track showcases emotional depth through its haunting melodies and lyrics about loss and revenge, highlighting the band's range beyond sheer brutality.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production, with a cohesive sound that reflects the band's thematic focus.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of melodic guitar harmonies layered over aggressive drumming, creating a dense soundscape.
- Each track typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with an emphasis on storytelling through lyrics that draw from Norse mythology.
- Several songs incorporate tempo changes, alternating between fast-paced sections and slower, more atmospheric passages.
- 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
- epic soundscapes for adventure
- dynamic journey with peaks
- anthemic riffs for empowerment
- wave-like pacing for immersion
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek relaxed listening experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Debuted at number 22 on Billboard 200, marking significant U.S. recognition.
- Career context
- Released on September 8, 2010, 'Hymns to the Rising Sun' is Amon Amarth's sixth studio album, following their successful 'Twilight of the Thunder God'. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their reputation in the melodic death metal scene, building on a decade of releases that showcased their unique blend of heavy music and mythological themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Arch Enemy· Children of Bodom· In Flames
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Twilight of the Thunder God 4:08
- 2 Guardians of Asgaard 4:23
- 3 Live for the Kill 4:09
- 4 Varyags of Miklagaard 4:18
- 5 Runes to My Memory 4:32
- 6 Cry of the Black Birds 3:49
- 7 Hermod's Ride to Hel 4:40
- 8 Asator 3:04
- 9 Pursuit of Vikings 4:30
- 10 Fate of Norns 5:57
- 11 Death in Fire 4:54
- 12 Where Silent Gods Stand Guard 5:46
- 13 Victorious March 7:55
- 14 Children of the Grave 5:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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