The Great Heathen Army
Amon Amarth · 2022
43 min · 9 tracks · melodic death metal
Melodic death metal riffs intertwine with epic narratives, evoking the ferocity and mythology of Viking lore.
Top tracks — play these first
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Get in the Ring — This track opens the album with intense energy and sets the tone for a fierce battle cry against adversaries, embodying Amon Amarth's signature blend of aggression and melody.
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The Great Heathen Army — Serving as the title track, it encapsulates the album's overarching themes of conflict and valor while featuring anthemic choruses that invite participation from listeners.
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Saxons and Vikings — This track highlights a historical narrative through its detailed lyricism, reflecting Amon Amarth’s unique ability to weave history into their music while maintaining powerful melodic hooks.
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Oden Owns You All — With its driving rhythm and mythological references, this song showcases the band's lyrical prowess and commitment to exploring Norse mythology within their sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines strong melodic elements with thematic depth, making it engaging for fans of the genre.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of double bass drumming throughout, driving the tempo and energy of each track.
- Each song incorporates melodic guitar riffs that often harmonize, creating a rich texture typical of the genre.
- Lyrical themes are heavily influenced by Norse mythology, with narratives that unfold across multiple tracks, enhancing the album's storytelling aspect.
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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 battle anthems
- epic themes of viking lore
- immersive storytelling through music
- cathartic release during workouts
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike thematic cohesion
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Continues the band's strong presence with cohesive sound and thematic depth.
- Career context
- Released in 2022, The Great Heathen Army is Amon Amarth's twelfth studio album, coming on the heels of their successful 2019 release, Berserker. By this point, the band had solidified their status as prominent figures in the melodic death metal scene, showcasing their signature blend of heavy instrumentation and Norse mythology-inspired themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Arch Enemy· Children of Bodom· In Flames
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Get in the Ring 4:24
- 2 The Great Heathen Army 4:04
- 3 Heidrun 4:42
- 4 Oden Owns You All 4:17
- 5 Find a Way or Make One 4:30
- 6 Dawn of Norsemen 5:32
- 7 Saxons and Vikings 4:55
- 8 Skagul Rides With Me 4:34
- 9 The Serpent’s Trail 6:01
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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