Amon Amarth - With Oden On Our Side (2006) CD-Rip

Yep, this is one of those albums that never leaves your CD player, you know all the words to all the songs, sings about Vikings, has the most badass front man in the world, and becomes an instant classic. This is also the perfect example of a masterpiece album late in a band's career, which is possibly the best they've ever recorded. Amon Amarth have been one of the longest, most respected and repeatedly successful death metal bands out there and with this 2006 full length release, With Oden On Our Side, they have proved all the naysayers of the Fate of Norns album wrong, all the naysayers that said it's impossible to release another good album for them, and proved that the Vikings still got it.

Everything about Amon Amarth's career; the musicians, the songwriting and previous records all culminate to this record. This is the hard work of roughly a decade into this album. Of course Amon Amarth is far from calling it quits, but I think that they wanted to pull all the stops and make this the best damn Viking themed death metal album out there, and they did. With Oden On Our Side is by far one of the greatest accomplishments they've ever achieved, making an album full of so many classic songs, great musicianship and everything put together - all done with great enthusiasm and vigor.

Beautifully bearded band leader Johan Hegg forces his way to victory singing about battle, dying and Norse mythology with the power of 10 men. He has such force in his voice that it is possibly the highlight of the album, his growling is top notch and probably the best he's ever done, he's on top of the game making a memorable performance with such classic parts in songs like Runes to My Memory where his growls are so melodic and emotional it hits home, or like in Astator where you almost feel his rage and fury. I think this is the most accessible his vocals have ever been on an Amon Amarth album. The guitars are the perfect blend of melody and still keeping the semi-raw and brutal feel of death metal and allowing for such great riffs (Runes to My Memory, Valhall Awaits Me, Gods of War Arise) and solos (Astator). Also on Runes to My Memory it contains possibly one the greatest most melodic yet pounding riffs I've ever heard. Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Soderberg know what they are doing and easily represent the death metal scene with the short but fast as hell solo in Astator and the riffing that will break you neck.

Ted Lundstrom on bass does a great job on this record, easily complimenting the guitars well with many moments of notoriety. Frederik Andersson behind the kit is the perfect man for Amon Amarth with much double bass godliness and showing such variety that many others don't rely on. Straight from the get go on the opener Valhall Awaits Me he makes a straight shot for death metal blasting away. He really shines on the fast and furious songs like Astator and shows much his style perfectly on Gods of War Arise and Cry of the Black Birds where it varies from fast to mid-tempo.

The individual songs on here are simply spectacular. From the opener to the closer there is not a single filler, single bad song, or single non-headbanger. I find myself constantly coming back and listening to this album all the time, not just one individual song but the entire song all the way through because every song is amazing here. Several here are instantly turned to concert staples to be played at every Amon Amarth show for eternity, such as Valhall Awaits Me, Runes to My Memory, Hermod's Ride to Hel, Astator, and Cry of the Blackbirds. I swear every time I listen to this album I have all the words to all the songs flying through my head at once they are all so catchy and all can be sung along with making this one of the catchiest albums I've ever heard.

With Oden On Our Side is a testament to Amon Amarth's ability to create good music, I still have yet to be disappointed by the Vikings. Quality music by quality musicians, this is the perfect blend of all that is great in death metal with great melody and easily accessible growled vocals. Whether headbanging until your neck snaps or singing along until your throat is bleeding, this is one of the greatest albums you'll find in melodic death metal, maybe in all of metal.