Amon Amarth — Surtur Rising

Limited Edition Picture Disc Vinyl LP The band’s eighth album follows their breakthrough disc, 2008’s Twilight Of The Thunder God. Thankfully, they haven’t fallen short of the mark they set for themselves three years earlier. The album’s 10 songs are typical anthemic Amon Amarth tracks, built for headbanging and chanting along with the powerful, warrior’s-code choruses. Some, like “Destroyers Of The Universe,” “War Of The Gods” and “A Beast Am I” are among the fastest songs the group has ever recorded, while others are slow, even brooding … They’re one of the most consistent bands in metal, and this is a terrific example of them playing to their strengths. ~Phil Freeman