One of the most appealing qualities of heavy metal has always been its defiance of popular trends. While other genres of music groveled for 'crossover appeal' and mainstream acceptance, heavy metal has always been unapologetic about what it is. In the 1990's, the plague of 'nu metal' struck. 'Nu Metal' fused watered down heavy metal riffs with mopey, introspective lyrics more commonly associated with bad 'adult contemporary' artists.

One of the most appealing qualities of heavy metal has always been its defiance of popular trends. While other genres of music groveled for 'crossover appeal' and mainstream acceptance, heavy metal has always been unapologetic about what it is. In the 1990's, the plague of 'nu metal' struck. 'Nu Metal' fused watered down heavy metal riffs with mopey, introspective lyrics more commonly associated with bad 'adult contemporary' artists.

Fortunately, the cancerous tumor in the body of heavy metal is now in remission and the tide is turning back. Mopey lyrics and wimpy riffs are giving way to thundering power chords and lyrical brutality. Among the bands bringing forth a 'nu metal' backlash is Swedish Viking metal band Amon Amarth. As the name implies, bands from the Viking metal genre sing about subjects of interest to vikings such as sailing, lusting for adventure and conquest, furious winds and treacherous seas.

Amon Amarth took their name from a location in J.R.R. Tolkiens Middle Earth, and their name means Mount Doom in the Elvish language of Sindarin. Mount Doom would have been a decent name in itself, but its roots in Tolkiens sword and sorcery classic makes it all the better. Their first demo release, The Arrival of the Fimbul Winter, set the thematic tone for their work to come. Drawing musical inspiration from bands such as Bolt Thrower and their Viking metal predecessors Bathory and Enslaved, who in turn took their cue from the great American band Manowar, Amon Amarth plays their own unique style of melodic death metal. While they are hesitant to claim the Viking metal mantle for their own, they take most of their lyrical content from Viking history and Norse mythology.

The band signed with Metal Blade Records in 1998 and their popularity has skyrocketed worldwide. 2006s With Oden On Our Side earned the band headliner status in North American and has made them one of the most popular metal acts in the US.

Amon Amarth recently extended their deal with Metal Blade records, and released their latest album 'Twilight of the Thunder God' in September 2008. The album quickly became the best selling release of their career, and was met with critical acclaim from the heavy metal media worldwide.

Heavy metal is gaining strength and resuming its powerful greatness under the marauding sound of Amon Amarth. The band tours constantly, so dont miss their brutal onslaught when they come to a town near you.