Charlotte metalheads were called to raise their horns Wednesday night as the Swedish melodic death metal band Amon Amarth sailed into The Fillmore on the Jomsviking Tour. In support of their tenth studio album “Jomsviking,” the Swedes came to lay waste to the Queen City in full Viking metal fashion.
The crowd was eager with anticipation with chants of “Amon! Amon!” as the crew peeled back the curtains to reveal the spectacular set that Amon Amarth is using this time out. The main attraction was the huge Viking helmet complete with horns that centered the stage with a massive drum kit atop and stairs coming down each side of the helmet. The front of the helmet glowed red giving the appearance of eyes and there was a huge backdrop that changed as the night progressed. The first to take the stage was drummer Jocke Wallgren, who was recruited for the tour after last year’s departure of long time drummer Fredrik Andersson. The rest of the band stormed the stage with frontman Johan Hegg coming down the stairs, metal horns in the air, as they tore into “The Pursuit of Vikings.” Newer songs, “First Kill” and “At Dawn’s First Light,” fit comfortably into the setlist as Hegg worked the crowd at a frenetic pace. Guitarists Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Soderberg were on fire as they ripped through riff after punishing riff and bassist Ted Lundstrom pushed the driving pace. Drummer Wallgren was solid behind the kit appearing only briefly to the crowd when introduced by Hegg. Viking warriors made an appearance at each end of the stage with shields and flags during “Thousand Years of Oppression,” and later with bows and arrows for “One Thousand Burning Arrows” adding their menacing look to the already incredible set. The mood of the crowd was as intense as the metal and the circle pits began to open up later in the evening as the band closed out with “War of the Gods” and “Victorious March.”
After a brief break, Amon Amarth returned for a three song encore as Hegg shouted to the crowd, “You didn’t think we were done yet did you?” He then thanked a local brewery for providing the night’s libations as the band raised their Viking horns in the air and saluted the crowd with a drink before ripping into their newest tune “Raise Your Horns.” “Guardians of Asgaard” was next up before Hegg brought the hammer down both literally and figuratively. The lights were dark with a spotlight on Hegg as he hit the stage with a huge Viking hammer to set off the lights and start the final number of the evening, “Twilight of the Thundergod.”
What a night! Amon Amarth blew the roof off The Fillmore with a brain melting show. Much like the Viking legends alluded to in their lyrics, they are larger than life. Their musicianship is second to none and their brutal brand of metal is a true assault to the senses. With an epic and monumental stage show and legendary songs, the Jomsviking Tour should not be missed. Check them out and see if you can withstand the onslaught as they take siege on a city near you!
Set List:
The Pursuit of Vikings
As Loke Falls
First Kill
The Way of Vikings
At Dawn’s First Light
Deceiver of the Gods
Cry of the Blackbirds
One Against All
Thousand Years of Oppression
Destroyer of the niverse
Death in Fire
Runes To My Memory
One Thousand Burning Arrows
Father of the Wolf
War of the Gods
Victorious March
Encore:
Raise Your Horns
Guardians of Asgaard
Twilight of the Thundergod
We would like to thank Liz Ciavarella-Brenner from Earsplit PR for the credentials to review the show.
