Sorrow Throughout the Nine Worlds

Behold, the first chapter of what many consider to be a band incapable of failure. Words can't really express how much I love this album. If I was not already a fan when I heard it, "Sorrow..." would have certainly made me one. I'll try something new for this review though; a track by track review from start to finish. I feel a recording of this caliber deserves nothing less than the most in-depth description.

Before I get to that, I'd like to make one statement. I often have problems with EPs containing more filler (Samples, speech from band members etc) than actual music. And when they do have actual music, there are usually at least two half-assed studio outtake cover songs with a very poor sound. Let us commend Amon Amarth for not only releasing an EP of wholly original (which I mean in the very literal sense of the word, they sound like no one else!) and what's more, absolutely awe-inspiring material.

And now, on to the real review...

The first song, Sorrow Throughout The Nine Worlds is an instantly catchy, rifftastic tale of the wayward viking Baldur who speaks to Odin in his dreams (Don't hold me to that, my knowledge of norse muthology is a little flaky). It does exactly what the first track of any disc is supposed to do; set the tone for the rest of the album and get your attention. It does a fine job of that as it doesn't really let up until the last second. This particular song also happens to have one of the most lethal bridge riffs ever penned by this band. The post chorus 'solo' is also of note.

On to the next, The Arrival of The Fimbul Winter. This song continues in the fashion demonstrated by track 1; fast and furious, but takes you through an unexpected meandering melodic mid-paced interlude after about a minute of death/thrashy goodness. Then, it picks back up and slaps you around like any good Amon Amarth tune should. Not the greatest on the album, but very solid nonetheless.

Track 3, Burning Creation seems to be the real bruiser here. The song is fast paced and intensely melodic. This song seems to have laid the foundation for later tunes such as "Friends of The Suncross" and "Bastards of a Lying Breed". I love it.

Ok, here is where things REALLY start to get good. The Mighty Doors of The Speargod's Hall is without doubt one of my favorite songs on this release, perhaps even of all of them. It opens with some galloping horses and then a nice pounding drum intro courtesy of Nico. It then kicks it up a notch with an ascending tremolo picked verse riff, which then becomes a completely crushing bridge riff at which point you are thinking "Can this possibly get any better?!" The answer is a resounding YES. These guys know no limits. The chorus is simply the most emotive and well rendered piece of music ever to come from a melodic Death Metal band. It conjures images of hordes of Viking warriors traversing some frozen plain returning home victorious from battle. Simply GOD-LIKE.

And, good lord.....Finally the crowning jewel of Amon Amarth's discography...UNDER THE GREYCLOUDED WINTER SKY. This just has to be heard to be believed. I just don't know what else to say. It's THAT good.

If I had one qualm with this album, it would be a very slightly muddy production courtesy of an inexperienced Peter Tagtgren. But I don't give two shits about that. When music is this good, that supercedes everything else. And that's really what it's all about at the end of the day, isn't it?

Buy, download, steal, beat up your grandmother, rape, murder, pillage....Do whatever it takes to get your hands on this absolute masterpiece.