'With Oden On Our Side' is the sixth full length release from the Swedish metallers Amon Amarth and continues in a broadly similar vein to their previous work. Lyrically the band are still drawing inspiration mainly from Viking heritage and history and provided you can get over the incredulity of someone growling lines such as "I smile when the bastard screams, when I twist my sword" or "son of thunder, thor arise, son of thunder" (from "Valahalla Awaits Me" and "Asator" respectively) in 2006 then you will find much to enjoy here.

Lyrics aside there's some stirring music to be found on this album. Previous fans won't be disappointed as there's all of the trademarks of their earlier work to be found within the grooves of 'Oden'. Epic riffing, thunderous drumming and growled vocals are all present and correct. Opening track "valhalla Awaits Me" sets the tone perfectly where these are concerned. However there's also a developing sense of melody to be found. The guitars combining some deeply heavy chorded riffs with harmonies that wouldn't be out of place on an Iron Maiden or a Trivium album.

But its the relentless double bass drum work of Fredrik Andersson that makes this album for me. It completely underpins the whole sound and combines with Ted Lundstroms bass so effectively that even when the guitars are playing melody lines the overall effect is still crushingly heavy. The outro of "Gods Of War Arise" or the bridge section in "Prediction Of Warfare" are perfect examples of this.

'With Oden On Our Side' is an album that is easily recommend to fans of other Scandanavian death metal bands without reservation. Anyone who enjoys the likes of Dark Tranquility or Norther will find much to appreciate here. However I would also urge anyone who is a fan of Iron Maiden in their more bombastic moments, or Metallica circa "Ride The Lightning" (and almost by that definition Trivium!) to give this a try, I've a feeling you might just like it!

Let us know your views on 'With Oden On Our Side'

Track List

Valhall Awaits Me
Runes To My Memory
Asator
Hermod's Ride To Hel - Lokes Treachery Part 1
Gods Of War Arise
With Oden On Our Side
Cry Of The Black Birds
Under The Northern Star
Prediction Of Warfare

Line Up

Ted Lundstrom - Bass
Johan Hegg - Vocals
Johan Soderberg - Guitar
Olli Mikkonen - Guitar
Fredrik Andersson - Drums