Style
With Oden on Our Side takes on a heavier approach compared to their previous album Fate of Norns; according to vocalist Johan Hegg, in an interview with Dutch metal magazine Aardschok, the album would go back to their roots such as their debut, Once Sent from the Golden Hall. When asked about the meaning of the album's title, Hegg remarked:
“ |
Well, it kind of has several meanings to it. Oden is of course the highest god in Scandinavian mythology, and he's the god of warfare, wisdom, poetry and artistry. The reason we chose the title is that it suited the lyrical concepts of the album and signified the feeling we had during the writing and recording of the album. We literally felt as if we had the Gods on our side. |
” |
— PyroMusic interview with Johan Hegg |
Cover art
The album cover art features the Norse God Odin riding on his fabled octopedal horse Sleipnir in a depiction borrowed from the Tjängvide image stone. The background depicts the Valknut, a symbol whose meaning is uncertain, though archeological evidence suggests it to be associated with Odin. Letters of the Runic alphabet can be seen on the edges of the triangles forming the Valknut. The Runes on top spell out "With Oden on our Side", whereas the bottom right runes spell "Amon Amarth" using characters from the Elder Futhark.
Reception
Since its release, With Oden on Our Side has received favorable reviews. Greg Prato of AllMusic gave the album three and a half stars naming it a competent example of the melodic death metal genre, stating that Johan Hegg's vocals compliment the Iron Maiden-esque guitar riffing from Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg.[2] Blabbermouth.net gave With Oden on Our Side a score of 8 out of 10 comparing its quality to that of Versus the World and Fate of Norns.[3]
Accolades
Publication |
Country |
Accolade |
Year |
Rank |
Loudwire[4] |
US |
Top 100 Hard Rock + Metal Albums of the 21st Century |
2016 |
63 |
Track listing
All tracks written by Amon Amarth.
|
1. | "Valhall Awaits Me" | 4:44 |
2. | "Runes to My Memory" | 4:33 |
3. | "Asator" | 3:04 |
4. | "Hermod's Ride to Hel - Lokes Treachery Part 1" | 4:41 |
5. | "Gods of War Arise" | 6:03 |
6. | "With Oden on Our Side" | 4:35 |
7. | "Cry of the Black Birds" | 3:50 |
8. | "Under the Northern Star" | 4:17 |
9. | "Prediction of Warfare" | 6:37 |
Total length: | 42:17 |
|
|
1. | "Where Silent Gods Stand Guard" (live) | 6:11 |
2. | "Death in Fire" (live) | 4:55 |
3. | "With Oden on Our Side" (demo) | 4:32 |
4. | "Hermod's Ride to Hel - Lokes Treachery Part 1" (demo) | 4:49 |
5. | "Once Sent from the Golden Hall" (Sunlight Recording) | 4:03 |
6. | "Return of the Gods" (Sunlight Recording) | 3:34 |
Total length: | 28:04 |
Credits
Personnel
Amon Amarth
- Johan Hegg − vocals
- Olavi Mikkonen − guitar
- Johan Söderberg − guitar
- Ted Lundström − bass
- Fredrik Andersson − drums
Production
- Jens Bogren – production, engineering, mixing
- Anders "Shadow" Ström – additional recording
- Thomas Eberger – mastering
Studios
- Fascination Street studios, Örebro, Sweden
- Cutting Room, Stockholm – mastering
- Amon Amarth's rehearsal studio – recording (2006 demos)
- Sunlight Studio – recording (1997 demos)
External links
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- Olavi Mikkonen
- Johan Hegg
- Ted Lundström
- Johan Söderberg
- Jocke Wallgren
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Studio albums | |
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EPs | |
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Videos | |
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Related | |
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