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There are Viking-metal bands — and then there is Amon Amarth, a Swedish horde that lives and breaths the culture, attitude and mythology that endlessly inspire their pummeling, majestic death metal. We asked you to pick the band's single greatest song, and you came back with an armory of battle-ready anthems. See your top five selections below.
5. "Shield Wall"
The formation of a "shield wall," or "skjaldborg" in Old Norse, is a go-to military tactic of the Pre-Early Modern warfare age. Amon Amarth bring it life — and death — on this Berserker standout, which arrived with a painstakingly historically accurate music video.
4. "Death in Fire"
2002's Versus the World marked a shift in direction for Amon Amarth, away from the faster attack of earlier works and toward a darker, heavier and more majestic sound. "Death in Fire" typifies that move, and the band haven't looked back.
3. "Twilight of the Thunder God"
The title cut off Amon Amarth's 2008 concept album about Thor's slaying of the serpent Jörmungandr, "Twilight of the Thunder God" perfectly captures the apocalyptic vibes and preternatural epicness of a battle on the edge of Ragnarök, a.k.a. the end of the world as we know it. A guest guitar solo from Children of Bodom's Roope Latvala only adds to the song's scope.
2. "Runes to My Memory"
Leaning into the more melancholic side of Amon Amarth's horns-raising exploration of Norse culture, "Runes to My Memory" channels the thoughts of a Viking warrior eyeing mortality. "When I am dead/Lay me in a mound," Johan Hegg intones. "Raise a stone for all to see/Runes carved to my memory."
1. "Pursuit of Vikings"
If ever Amon Amarth recorded a singular mission statement, this Fate of the Norns favorite would be it. No wonder the song lent its name to the Viking horde's the-career-spanning 25th anniversary documentary — and no wonder you voted it to the No. 1 spot here.
