Amon Amarth, the Swedish juggernauts of melodic death metal, have descended upon North America with their Metal Crushes All tour, bringing their epic tales of Norse mythology to the masses. With a career spanning over three decades, Amon Amarth has established themselves as one of the most formidable forces in the metal scene, captivating audiences with their ferocious sound and larger-than-life stage presence. As they embark on their largest North American tour to date, which includes prestigious venues like Red Rocks and several stadium stops with their full stage show, anticipation reached a fever pitch for the inaugural show in Albuquerque, New Mexico and a night of the best of viking metal.

Kicking off the night was Texas-based death metal band Frozen Soul, whose bone-chilling riffs and relentless aggression set the stage for an evening of unbridled chaos. With gutteral vocals and commanding stage presence, Frozen Soul know how to make an impression. Their pure, unadulterated brutality was the perfect start not just to the night but to the entire tour.

Following Frozen Soul’s onslaught, the stage was overtaken by the legendary death metal pioneers, Obituary. With a career spanning nearly four decades, they unleashed a relentless barrage of pulverizing riffs and face-melting vocals, sending shockwaves through the crowd with classics such as “Redneck Stomp” and “Slow Death.” The set also included several equally heavy songs from their 2023 album “Dying of Everything,” which blends seemlessly with the rest of their immense discography. Obituary’s relentless energy and uncompromising brutality served as a reminder of their enduring legacy in the realm of extreme music.

As the night progressed, the stage was engulfed in darkness as the iconic death metal veterans, Cannibal Corpse, took their place in the spotlight. With a reputation for pushing the boundaries of extreme music, Cannibal Corpse delivered a performance that was as relentless as it was uncompromising. From the frenetic blast beats to the ungodly growls of frontman George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher, Cannibal Corpse left nothing to the imagination as they unleashed a sonic onslaught that left everyone in awe of their unbridled intensity. From the frenzied onslaught of “Hammer Smashed Face” to the savage brutality of “I Cum Blood” and even a few tracks from their 2023 album “Chaos Horrific,” Cannibal Corpse delivered a performance that left fans battered and bruised and ravenous for more.

Amidst the chaos and carnage, Amon Amarth emerged as the undisputed champions of the night, unleashing a spectacle of epic proportions that left the crowd in a state of euphoric frenzy. With a setlist comprised of fan favorites and epic anthems, Amon Amarth transported the audience to the mythical realms of Norse mythology, where gods clashed and battles raged amidst a backdrop of thunderous riffs and soaring melodies.

Led by the charismatic frontman Johan Hegg, Amon Amarth commanded the stage with an unwavering presence, backed by the thunderous rhythms of drummer Jocke Wallgren and bassist Ted Lundström, and the searing guitar solos of Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg. From the triumphant chants of “Raise Your Horns” to the thunderous roar of “Guardians of Asgaard,” each song served as a visceral reminder of Amon Amarth’s unrivaled mastery of their craft.

Matching the true viking metal sounds, the stage was an immaculate display of viking power. From two towering viking warriors bookending the drum riser set up as a horned helm to a backdrop featuring everything from viking warriors to a longship on turbulent seas, it was as if the venue was transported back to times of old. And Amon Amarth took things further with an incredibly impressive performance alongside their heavy riffs. From sword fights between warriors to Hegg battling Loke himself, it was complete immersion from the second the show began.

As the final notes echoed through the venue and the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers, it was clear that Amon Amarth had once again proven why they reign supreme in the world of melodic death metal. With the Metal Crushes All tour now in full swing, one thing remains abundantly clear: Amon Amarth’s epic saga shows no signs of ending anytime soon, leaving fans eagerly awaiting their next conquest.

April 21st, 2024