Album of the Week
The Allfather Awakens
Amon Amarth
Released Oct 02, 2026 • Metal Blade
Thunderous riffs, epic melodies, and Viking fury unleashed.
⭐
8/10
Melodic Death Metal
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starting results
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Tracklist
- 1 Gjallarhorn ⭐
2 Eight Legs of Thunder ⭐
3 Kvasir's Blood
4 We Rule the Waves
5 Upphaf ⭐
6 Die With a War Cry
7 Raven God
8 The Allfather Awakes
9 Oden's Hunt
10 Ascending Like an Eagle
Editor's Picks
For Fans Of:
Ensiferum, Unleashed, Insomnium
⭐ Standout Tracks:
"Gjallarhorn", "Eight Legs of Thunder", "Upphaf"
THE REVIEW
Swedish Viking metallers Amon Amarth have spent nearly three decades combining Norse mythology with Melodic Death Metal. Their thirteenth album, ‘The Allfather Awakens’, finds them sticking to familiar territory. Johan Hegg’s unmistakable growls remain the perfect soundtrack to Ragnarök, while the twin guitars of Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg, backed by Ted Lundström’s bass and Jocke Wallgren’s drums, deliver the crushing riffs fans expect.
There’s no radical reinvention here, but why fix something that isn’t broken? Written while touring, the album retains the band’s muscular sound while making room for an unexpected change of pace. The familiar formula still has plenty of life in it.
THE SONGS
‘Gjallarhorn’ opens with Odin’s quest for wisdom, before ‘Eight Legs Of Thunder’ gallops along in the wake of his eight-legged steed, Sleipnir. ‘Kvasir’s Blood’ adds a Thrash Metal edge, making for a blistering opening trio.
‘We Rule The Waves’ maintains the momentum, but ‘Upphaf’ provides the surprise. Inspired by the prophetic Norse poem Völuspá, this acoustic offering strips things back, providing welcome breathing space amid the carnage.
‘Die With A War Cry’, ‘Raven God’ and the title track restore the familiar heaviness, while ‘Oden’s Hunt’ brings further bruising intensity before ‘Ascending Like An Eagle’ closes the ten-track set.
‘Kvasir’s Blood’ is my personal highlight, its Thrash-influenced riffs adding extra bite, while ‘Upphaf’ proves the band can ease off the accelerator without losing their identity.
THE VERDICT
‘The Allfather Awakens’ may not match ‘Twilight Of The Thunder God’ or ‘Jomsviking’ for me, but it’s another enjoyable slab of Viking Metal. ‘Upphaf’ offers an intriguing detour, while ‘Kvasir’s Blood’ delivers a welcome Thrash Metal punch.
Amon Amarth remain firmly in their element, with an album that sounds tailor-made for the live stage. If you can’t make their UK shows, pour yourself a horn of mead and let the Vikings invade your living room instead.
