Of all the sub-genres that seem to grow by the day, the one that seems the most fictitious and improbable of all would arguably be Viking metal. Because after all, what exactly is Viking metal?
Songs strictly about vikings? Imagery on stage of vikings? Sure, that might all accompany a mostly viking-themed performance. But what does Viking metal sound like? In that sense, a more apropos label, if those even matter in heavy metal, might be Swedish metal. At least for one particular tour that made its mark last Sunday night at the Aztec Theatre.
Playing drums aboard oversized viking horns, drinking alcohol (presumably) out of viking horns, performing at times amidst two sword-dueling vikings and backed by a creature with green eyes that, you guessed it, was viking-like in stature, Amon Amarth brought its Berserker tour and three bands from its native homeland as part of a Swedish invasion including Arch Enemy, At The Gates and Grand Magus (132-photo slideshow with setlists & videos below).
Led as always by vocalist Johan Hegg, Amon Amarth had no problems ensuring its Texas faithful indeed went berserk. They mixed three new tracks, including “Fafner’s Gold” and “Crack the Sky” (ATM Facebook Live footage here) with the anthemic “Shield Wall” and a slew of old favorites such as “Deceiver of the Gods,” and finale “Twilight of the Thunder God” in which the album cover’s dragon came to life (ATM Facebook Live footage here).
Headliners in their own right more often than not, Arch Enemy intensely shook the Aztec to its core behind the growling vocals of Alissa White-Gluz, band leaders in guitarist MIchael Amott and bassist Sharlee D’Angelo, Seattle native and former Nevermore and Sanctuary guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Daniel Erlandsson. Unfortunately, Arch Enemy was limited to approximately 45 minutes but made the most of it on “My Apocalypse,” “First Day in Hell” (ATM Facebook Live footage here) and “As the Pages Burn” and “Nemesis” (videos below).
Arch Enemy, whose members discussed with a small handful of reporters including ATM the world premiere of their LIve at Wacken DVD “As the Stages Burn” aboard the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise in 2017 (coverage here and here), even showcased their generosity in multiple ways. Not only did White-Gluz find time to literally reach out to a young female fan in the front row while in the midst of her searing vocals, but Erlandsson allowed At The Gates to utilize his drum kit for their set, which included “Cold” (ATM Facebook Live clip here).
The international flair and flavor of the four Swedish acts proved to be more than an entertaining night of hearing non-English, non-Espanol accents speak to an Aztec Theatre crowd for a rare occasion. It even resulted in more than a glimpse into viking lore. More importantly, it yielded an evening of metal that was brutal in both heaviness and bang for the buck. By viking, Swedish or any other moniker you choose to label it.
