Destroyers of the universe

Amon Amarth’s new album “Surtur Rising” is only as awesome as its cover art. The art features a picture of a giant wielding a flaming sword taking on an army of Vikings in front of a volcano, so it’s pretty awesome.

The Viking-themed melodic death metal band plays directly to its strengths, creating a familiar sound while still managing to feel fun and new. Its usual tales of Viking lore and mythology are all present and accounted for, but they also take the time to briefly touch on the real world. “Slaves of Fear” is a rage-fueled indictment of organized religion and is one of the album’s standout tracks.

The brutality of songs such as “Destroyer of the Universe” and “War of the Gods,” which are both catchier than any death metal song should rightly be, blend seamlessly with soaring anthems such as “Doom Over Dead Man.” All of these could be considered trademarks of the Amon Amarth oeuvre, but it is done with absolute precision and expertise. Make no mistake: This is one of the band’s best albums to date.