Album Review: Amon Amarth - Deceiver Of The Gods

When Swedish Viking nerds Amon Amarth made the switch to producer Jens Bogren for 2006's superlative With Odin On Our Side, the move was widely seen as one that re-invigorated a tired death metal workhorse. Now, seven years later the band have again caught a second wind, this time abandoning Bogren in the wake of the bland and relatively disappointing Surtur Rising. Where that LP was lacking in memorable songs and real sonic punch, Deceiver Of The Gods, with Andy Sneap (ex Sabbat) behind the boards, brings back the gorgeous melodic flourishes that made Twilight Of The Thunder God such a monster.

Over the course of ten tracks, Amon Amarth take you to Valhalla and back. The key to Deceiver's success lies in two factors. The first is the mighty melodic riffs once again front and centre. Shape Shifter, We Shall Destroy and Coming Of The Tide (to name a few) all boast gargantuan riffs that are as heavy as they are melodic. Suffice to say your head will bang upon contact with these monsters. The second factor is Sneap's production. Under his watchful gaze the band's strengths (Johan Hegg's unmistakable vocals, rhythms that mirror a Viking fleet rowing off to war and the razor sharp riffs of guitar twins Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Soderburg) are emphasised with a crystal clear mix.

While some death metal bands revel in murk, Amnon Amarth isn't one of them, and Sneap's decision to go the hi-def route pays off in spades. Overall Deceiver Of The Gods proves that Surtur Rising was an aberration – Amon Amarth continue to deliver the goods.