In many quarters, the rise of Amon Amarth to festival headliners remains something of a mystery. Thirteen albums and over 30 years under their belt, the band that burst out of Sweden in 1992 and plays a repetitive style of melodic Death Metal. They still mystify me with some of their music.
Amon Amarth – The Allfather Awakens
Release Date: 2 October 2026
Words: Paul Hutchings
It is almost a parody, a laughable pastiche and a topic that is surely wearing thin. But no, there is still ample in the tank, and the lake of Odin and Norse mythology continues to provide lyrical content aplenty.
Underneath it all, the twin guitar attack, melodious Death Metal and hammering rhythm section that underpin Johann Hegg’s gravel-throated roar still appeal. Stand in a crowd of thousands in front of these Swedish Vikings, and it is almost impossible to refrain from punching the air, banging that head or, dare I say it, joining in on the rowing which has become traditional at their shows.
I will freely admit that their last few albums have merely grazed me as they passed by. Shield Wall on 2019’s Berserker is one of the few tracks I could name.
But such is their catalogue between their origins on Once Sent From The Golden Hall through to Twilight Of The Thunder Gods that it does not really matter.
Album 13 then, The Allfather Awakens has arrived, and as the band prepare to set sail on another tour (three paltry UK dates is disappointing), it is time to explore what the Swedes have to offer this time round.
There is a god-awful elephant in the room which needs euthanising immediately. Upphaf is a stanza from the poem Völuspá, and the band’s first attempt at an acoustic offering. It is truly dreadful and highlights Hegg’s vocal limitations even more than their dreadful cover of Aerials many years ago.
Upphaf is a stinker of a song, and a reminder that there are times when you should really stay in lane. It is sandwiched between the anthemic if ropey We Rule The Waves and Die With A War Cry, something that will no doubt get the muscle-clad fans punching the sky in homage.
The latter is more distinctive Amon Amarth and the drumming is intense. Kudos to Jocke Wallgren, who hammers with anvils, not sticks!
Opener Gjallarhorn is another epic tale and sure to be the song that starts each night on their tour. There is a massive riff that kicks things off with assured power, and although the initial singalong is a bit cheesy, once the song gets moving, it is one of the best on the album. A truly pounding track, Hegg is in his best form here as he roars his lyrics.
It had taken two sets of recording sessions to create The Allfather Awakens, stretching across Spring 2025 and then March 2026. You can hear the effort that has been poured into the album.
“We worked on one song at a time and made each song as good as possible,” says guitarist Olavi Mikkonen. “Then we recorded one song at a time until each track was totally finished, drums, guitars, and vocals. Only then did we start on the next one.”
I will be honest, there are times when Amon Amarth’s style blends into one. The songs have a similarity that is both expected and predictable. We Rule The Waves could sit on any of their last five or six albums. The bounce, the tempo and the melody are recycled from a million other songs.
Perhaps that is part of their charm. Rehash the same song time and again, slight tweaks and then it’s another Viking anthem to sing along to. Tell me that you have not heard Raven God before and I think your honesty needs checking.
34 years since the band emerged from their Swedish home Tumba, it is unlikely that you would want them to change. In fact, the one effort to switch style is so bad that you demand they resort to thick riffs and bronchial rasps.
If you like Amon Amarth, then The Allfather Awakens will please you. Big thumping anthems include the chugging title track and the second song, Eight Legs Of Thunder, which will get the drinking horns raised high in the air. The artwork by Tom Thiel grabs the attention, another piece of quality from the band’s trusty artist.
It certainly was an album I was comfortable listening to several times in preparation for this review, even if my sinews overall remained unmoved and my urge to order it on vinyl was diminished.
Amon Amarth do what Amon Amarth do. They have carved a Viking-sized niche in the Metal world and remain atop that spot. Little will change. And in a world of constant change, that may be okay.
Amon Amarth release The Allfather Awakens on 2 October 2026 via Metal Blade Records. Available in a host of variants, visit lnk.to/TheAllfatherAwakens for more details.
