Hammers are important in metal. That much should be obvious from the name of this magazine. For Amon Amarth, the hammer is a symbol of utmost importance, and no live show would be complete without the sight of frontman Johan Hegg brandishing a hefty replica of Thor’s own weapon of war.
This occurs at the start of Twilight Of The Thunder God, the opening and title track of Amon Amarth’s seventh album, released in 2008. These days, Amon Amarth are ubiquitous and beloved in the metal scene, but prior to their global conquest the Swedes spent a solid decade touring relentlessly, honing their sound and building upon their trademark Viking imagery. Twilight… may have been the eventual breakthrough that the band deserved, but the real transitional moment came one album earlier.
