Single/Video Review: Amon Amarth "We Rule the Waves" (Metal Blade) by Dave Wolff

Band: Amon Amarth

Location: Stokholm

Country: Sweden

Genre: Melodic death metal

Single/video: We Rule the Waves

Format: Digital, streaming

Label: Metal Blade

Release date: July 17, 2025

Amon Amarth, long time spokesmen for Swedish Viking metal, releases "We Rule the Waves", a new promotional video directed by Pavel Trebukhin and shot in Riga, Latvia, in conjunction with their recently launched US tour with Pantera, King Parrot, Snafu, Shock Narcotic, and Flesh Hoarder.

Amon Amarth’s new single and video is noticeably more polished as a result of Trebukhin's previous work with the band, having directed their promotional videos for "Saxons & Vikings", "Heidrun" and "The Great Heathen Army", all beautifully shot mini-films in their own right, as well as producer/mixer Jacob Hansen's long history of working with Arch Enemy, The Black Dahlia Murder, Katatonia, Primal Fear and Epica. Hansen also founded the technical thrash metal band Invocator back in the late 80s and has done guitar and bass for Pyramaze (Denmark) since 2011.

The short film accompanying "We Rule the Waves" is designed to represent the band's traditional Viking aesthetic and their concept of conquering external obstacles and one’s inner restraints. They gained loyal followers demanding nothing less than theatrical sublimity by adhering to their metaphor of sailing longboats to faraway places. Again the historical authenticity of the locations, costumes, and props appears to be spot on and the band is still tightening their music as they heighten its effect.

The music is more clearly layered, easier to swallow even if you don't usually listen to Viking metal and capable of adhering to your memory. Naturally, their music's contemporary style donesn't make you feel that you've been thrust back in time by centuries. Still, the set dressings and the natural depiction of life in the Viking era (at least from their perspective) is convincing and has a way of making you feel you’re part of that age, just as much as any History Channel special would. –Dave Wolff

Lineup:

Johan Hegg: Vocals

Olavi Mikkonen: Guitar

Johan Söderberg: Guitar

Ted Lundström: Bass

Jocke Wallgren: Drums