Show: Amon Amarth
Date: April 30, 2011
Venue: House of Blues
City: West Hollywood, CA
Amon Amarth
Photos by Nicolas Bates
Written by Nicolas Bates
On April 24, 2011, black metal fans from all over southern California (and probably beyond) gathered at the House of Blues on Sunset in West Hollywood for what was to be a night of epic black metal: Amon Amarth.
Amon Amarth tour often and have hit the House of Blues on Sunset previously. What was different about this night was there was to be no opening act. Only Amon Amarth playing their newest album, Surtur Rising, in its entirety, then taking a break and coming back out to play another full set of back metal classics. Something told me the sold-out crowd wouldn’t mind the lack of a supporting act. I was right.
The crowd, of course, was quite antsy before Amon Amarth hit the stage. But when they did, the crowd erupted with a decibel level probably more suitable for a sold-out Staples Center show, rather than a packed House of Blues show. Amon Amarth broke in to “War of the Gods,” and from then on, IT WAS ON!
The pit did not stop, save for a moment here and there, and was intense and chaotic. If a fight had broken out, it would have gone completely unnoticed. Every third to fourth person donned a ripped shirt it seemed.
Amon Amarth continued to play through their Surtur Rising set with tracks like: “Slaves of Fear,” “The Last Stand of Frej” and “For Victory or Death.” No matter what the song, at the end the crowd gave standing ovation-like cheers and applause. Lead vocalist Johan Hegg made it very clear to the crowd that they were not only happy to be playing, but extremely grateful to be able to as well.
Amon Amarth showcase their magic with almost continuous movement. Perhaps only drummer Fredrik Andersson was the only one not to have his head in “full-twirl” at any given moment. After close to 20 years, I understand how one’s brain might be accustomed to this. But still, I questioned how vertigo wouldn’t take over. Vocalist Johan Hegg pumped his fist throughout their set, and the fans followed along like it was their destiny.
After Amon Amarth wrapped up their Surtur Rising set (and took a short break), they returned to play a plethora of crowd favorites. Starting out with “Twilight of the Thunder Gods,” the crowd joined in during the chorus with such a roar, you would’ve thought they were Norsemen on a ship themselves.
Amon Amarth’s second set consisted of well-known tracks: “Masters of War,” “Guardians of Asgaard,” “Thousand Years of Oppression,” and “Without Fear.” As if two full sets were not enough, Amon Amarth finished up their set with an encore! Songs “Runes to My Memory,” and “The Pursuit of Vikings” were included.
Amon Amarth is definitely a force to be reckoned with live. They assault the listener’s ear with rock-solid, melodic metal; amazing rhythm and lead guitars, great breakdowns and solid, solo bass parts accompanied with harsh, black metal-style vocals. No adequate amount of writing can explain the greatness that was, not only the loyalty showed by adoring fans, but the amazing performance put on by Amon Amarth that night at the House of Blues on Sunset.