Album Review: Amon Amarth - Berserker

Take a gander at that cover. Go on, we'll wait. Utterly ludicrous, yet it captures Berserker's conviction perfectly. After 27 years of their melodic death-tipped Viking swords striking directly at the heart of heavy metal’s essence, one shouldn't expect otherwise from Amon Amarth.

These Swedes rarely stray far from a well-worn template, but have created some of their most epic and melodramatic music in recent years. Fans can thrust drinking horns skywards, as Amon Amarth have unleashed further battle-ready anthems bustling with riffs weightier than a busload of sumo wrestlers and Johan Hegg's troop-rallying roar. Single Raven’s Flight ticks all the boxes for devotees – twin guitar leads, a galloping rhythm and memorable chorus – while Mjolner, Hammer Of Thor feels akin to the NWOBHM on steroids.

Previous LP Jomsviking, explored concept album territory, and Berserker (the titular figure has been described as “the most badass warrior you can think of”) furthers the group's goal of crafting cinematic, atmospheric music. Recently issued videos only enhance the effect, as do acoustic flourishes and strings. Hegg's tendency at times to enunciate more clearly than many growlers, such as on the Maiden-ised When Once Again We Can Set Our Sails, does afford their bruising sound a sliver of added accessibility too. There's even a brief spurt of clean singing on otherwise furious Ironside.

2008's Twilight Of The Thunder God possessed the X-factor – not to mention killer hooks – that elevated the underground heroes to major metal players. Berserker won't detract from their continued ascension.