LIVE REVIEW: Amon Amarth & Darkest Era - From The Viking Pit

MIGHTY Odin may have gazed with his one eye upon Belfast's Limelight1 on August 12th when the echoes of the heroic warriors spirits from Valhalla resounded like Loki's steed hooves flying across the roof of the world and Thor splitting the leaden skies with storms of metal.

The Celtic metal warriors who are Darkest Era opened up for the mighty Viking horde that are Amon Amarth - both with whirlwinds of riffs and unapologetic heavy metal.

And, what is there to apologise for when songs are so mighty, so deeply steeped in ancient oral traditions with allegorical undertows ripping the unwary from their comfort zone.

The last time I saw Darkest Era was when they opened for Wintersun and they left quite an impression then. Now, they are even coming through stronger, cohesive and cracking skulls with their pure take on the classic rock/metal of Maiden and Lizzy with melodic death metal twists.

Krum leads from the front, powering through releases new and old.  'An Ancient Fire Burns', 'The Morrigan' and 'Sorrow's Boundless Realm' all stamping all over the gathering crowd with tunefulness and rolling thunder from Cameron Ashlund-Glass' drums and Daniel O'Toole's bass.

Ade Mulgrew and Sarah Weighall lay down a superb set of inter-twined solos and rhythm parts - more evidence of why Darkest Era deserve to adorn many, many more metal fans collections.



With a relatively quick turnaround the stage was transformed to an homage to Amon Amarth's mythical landscape - replete with jagged 'rocks' and rune filled mini-monoliths.

From the opener 'Father of the Wolf' to closer 'Pursuit of Vikings' the Swedish five-piece proved that they are amongst the most exciting live bands.

It only takes a moment to suspend disbelief, plunge into the pit and soak up their tumultuous songs.

This was my first experience of being pummelled by Amarth - and I'd gladly succumb again.

It's not just that they put on a phenomenal live performance; it's not just because Johan Hegg is an engaging frontman; nor is it because they are tremendous musicians; rather it is because the sum of the parts comes together in one ominously glorious moment in time.

As a unit Amon Amarth are solid, tight and well-rounded, each playing their part. Mikkonen and Soderberg are linked by an ethereal bond as they use their six-string weapons to soar through solos, rip through rhythmic melodies and tear down any remaining inhibitions in the Limelight1

'Deceiver of Gods' and 'Cry of the Blackbirds' are majestic as Anderson (drums) and Lundstrom (bass) leaden the night as 'Guardians of Asgard' delivers as if Mjölnir had been wielded to split landscapes of Northern Ireland.

'Blood Eagle' saw the venue bathed - literally and metaphorically - in the life force of Vikings, while 'Embrace of the Endless Ocean' brought the narrative of the ocean bondsman and sailor to life.

By the time the encore of 'Twilight of The Thunder God' and 'Pursuit of Vikings' ended the crowd had responded to every exhortation of Hegg...and the very All-Father himself raised a toast to Amon Amarth and Belfast.

 

Review by Zakk
Sub-editing and additional reporting by Jonny

Photos courtesy of Darren @ Metalplanet

All rights and copyright of contributors reserved - reproduction of text and/or photographs by permission only

Amon Amarth comp reminder

A WHILE back we announced a competition to win a pair of tickets to see Amon Amarth lay waste to the Limelight on August 12th. This is just a reminder that the clock is ticking towards entries closing.

If you want to enter click here to find out how to enter and read a review of the latest Amon Amarth album.

In the meantime here's a few videos of the mighty Swedish Viking melodic death metallers. Enjoy and enter!

Win tickets to see Amon Amarth in Belfast this August

THEY'RE the Viking monsters whose nine albums of melodic death metal that have seen them grow from Swedish contenders to giants in the metal community...and now thanks to our good friends at The Limelight you can win a pair of tickets to witness Amon Amarth play Belfast on August 12th.

Yes - those generous folks at The Limelight have provided Belfastmetalheadsreunited and RockRadioNI with the prize for this competition.

Now, if you've not see Amon Amarth live then you are missing a real metallic treat. On album they are an awesome double guitar attack, but live they are a raiding unit intent on plunder and pillage.

Check out our review of their most recent Metal Blade release here to get a flavour of how highly we rate this band.

Now, we expect most of you to have already purchased your tickets, but if you've not got them in your greasy mitts yet, here's how to win a pair of these gateways to Valhalla's earthly battalions descent on the Limelight:

Answer this (incredibly) simple question: What is the title of Amon Amarth's most recent album?

Email your answers here, before April 12th.

Usual rules apply, the principal one being...if you're not in you can't win!