If extreme metal existed back in the days of Vikings, Sweden's
Amon Amarth
would undoubtedly be the musical choice of vessels sailing rough and treacherous seas. And on the seventh full-length studio effort overall by the quintet,
sticks closely to the same sound and approach that got them this far in the first place. But unlike their prior studio efforts, several renowned names within the metal community drop by to lend a heavy hand, including
Entombed
vocalist
Lars-Goeran Petrov
on
"Guardians of Asgaard."
Children of Bodom
guitarist
Roope Latvala
provides a guitar solo on the title track, while
Apocalyptica
is heard on
"Live for the Kill."
As evidenced by such ditties as
"Varyags of Miklagaard"
and
"Tattered Banners and Bloody Flags"
(how's that for two snappy song titles?!), technically demanding musicality, Godzilla-like growls, and rhythms/tempos compared to horses galloping into war are all proudly on display throughout
Twilight of the Thunder God
. [A CD/DVD was also released.] ~ Greg Prato