Amon Amarth

Amon Amarth formed in Sweden in 1992, with childhood friends Johan Hegg and Olavi Mikkonen at the core. They started as a heavy metal band, eventually solidifying a lineup that included Ted Lundström on guitar, Anders Hansson on drums, and Fredrik Andersson on bass. Their early years were spent playing local shows and working on their sound, which gradually took shape as a blend of melodic death metal with lyrics drawn from Viking history and mythology.

Their 1998 album 'Once Sent from the Golden Hall' marked a turning point, bringing their Viking-themed metal to a wider audience. The band built on that foundation over the next decade, releasing albums like 'With Oden on Our Side' in 2006. Their 2008 album 'Twilight of the Thunder God' became particularly well-known, featuring tracks like 'The Pursuit Of Vikings' and the title track 'Twilight Of The Thunder God' that have remained staples in their live sets.

Songs like 'Guardians Of Asgaard,' 'Raise Your Horns,' and 'Mjölnir, Hammer Of Thor' continue the band's focus on Norse themes, delivered with Hegg's distinctive growling vocals and the group's driving, melodic guitar work. Their lineup has seen changes over time, with Johan Söderberg now on bass and Jocke Wallgren on drums alongside the founding members. They've maintained a steady pace of recording and touring, releasing albums like 'Berserker' in 2019.