Ah, Amon Amarth... how I love thee! Before I get into this review, I feel the need to say that I have some kind of “review credibility” – Amon Amarth is definitely in my top 10 favorite bands, but just because they float my boat, I’m not going to give them a ridiculously awesome rating. Which I didn’t, and I’ll explain why I put 6.5… I had the great opportunity to see them in Boston, Massachusetts last month, and I got to see a 2 hour set. One set they played ‘Surtur Rising’ in its entirety and the other was a complete set of their hits. So I will say, that this album was definitely more enjoyable live than it was presented on the album.

     So why did I give this album a 6.5? I’ll tell you why. I feel this album was released too soon within the time they released their recent gem “Twilight of the Thunder God”. I know, I know… I’m going to receive complaint/hate-mail saying… “You shouldn’t compare those two albums!” – Yes. I understand, and I normally would agree… But it’s hard for me to listen to this album and not think of TotTG. Why? Because it sounds like a recycled TotTG! They open with almost the same exact riff with “War of the Gods”… It sounds just like the intro to TotTG! – and don’t even tell me I’m wrong on that one. Other than the recycled riffs, there are some pretty good songs. I personally think they put waay more effort into songwriting with TotTG than in SG. I still haven’t heard one of those memorable riffs or catchy choruses like they did with TotTG.

    Okay, so other than this album being a letdown compared to its previous album, in my humble and fair opinion - it’s really not bad if you’re a die-hard fan. If you’re in the mood of just shuffling through Amon Amarth songs, then you will be pleased to hear something from this album every now and then. And you know what? Listening to SR isn’t just an album to just listen to all willy-nilly. I believe this - that not all albums are listened to the same like others. If you want “commercially” catchy stuff – listen to TotTG. If you want classic Amon Amarth, then no doubt you’ll listen to “With Oden on Our Side” because it’ll make you want to jump onto a drakkar with your Viking comrades and sail on an epic journey. Read the lyrics, appreciate them for what they are – because the members of this band know their Norse culture and mythology – and let the words and the music take you to wherever it leads to.