AMON AMARTH return with “Eight Legs Of Thunder“, a steamrolling new anthem inspired by Sleipnir, the legendary eight-legged steed of Oden. Driven by a galloping main riff and a powerful, sing-along chorus, the track charges headlong through Norse mythology while its accompanying video transports the tale into an unexpected new world: a gritty, modern American Western of cowboys, pickup trucks and open roads, with the mythical Sleipnir himself emerging in a surreal dream sequence.
Director Dariusz Szermanowicz enthuses:
“With ‘Eight Legs Of Thunder’, together with the band, we wanted to break the traditional metal music video mold once again. We fused the raw, dusty vibe of a modern western with the epic, dark mythology of Odin’s eight-legged steed. It’s a high-octane, cinematic ride packed with cowboy tension, raw action, and a touch of dark humor. We didn’t just want to make a music video – we wanted to deliver a visual knockout.”
“Eight Legs Of Thunder” is the final preview ahead of their forthcoming album The Allfather Awakens which sees its release 2nd October via Metal Blade Records. The ten-song masterwork marks the beginning of a new world and further cements the legacy of the Swedish metal titan’s spectacularly memorable riffs and unflinching melodic aural power.
As with AMON AMARTH’s previous records, Oden, the Norse “all father” who is a deity of war, wisdom, death, magic, and poetry, is the through-line in AMON AMARTH’s lyrics and artwork. Once again, Oden is the band’s inspiration, but The Allfather Awakens is not a concept album, rather a collection of historically inspired epic tales of conflict and sacrifice for a greater good.
Listen to the track HERE.
Pre-order The Allfather Awakens HERE.
“Eight Legs Of Thunder” follows the release of AMON AMARTH’s first-ever acoustic excursion “Upphaf‘”and epic tale of “Gjallarhorn“. Where the stripped-back “Upphaf” carried the solemnity of an oral history whispered under the shadow of the Allfather, “Gjallarhorn” arrived as a furious AMON AMARTH classic. To gain wisdom beyond mortal comprehension, Oden made the ultimate sacrifice – gouging out his own eye and casting it into the Well of Wisdom, Mímisbrunnr, in exchange for cosmic insight and foresight that would shape the fate of gods and men alike. Now, AMON AMARTH bring that ancient reckoning to life and they are extending Oden’s offer to you. Those who received the eye know what must be done. Those who did not: seek it out. Sacrifice your sight. Gain your foresight.
AMON AMARTH took a new songwriting approach for The Allfather Awakens. The album came to life across two recording sessions, months apart, at producer Jacob Hansen’s studio in Denmark. AMON AMARTH began writing songs while touring, rather than waiting until they were off the road. The writing and recording process allowed the musicians to intensely focus on each track, resulting in an album where each song was treated as a single. Guitar-wise, AMON AMARTH opted for a slightly less modern approach sonically, moving away from 5150 amps and back to Marshalls. The music was written before the lyrics, setting the tone for the words.
The Allfather Awakens is yet another step up, introducing previously untried efforts, an impressive and conscious musical and lyrical feat after three decades of band-dom.
Pre-Save / Pre-Order The Allfather Awakens Here
The Allfather Awakens Tracklist:
01. Gjallarhorn
03. Kvasir’s Blood
05. Upphaf
06. Die With A War Cry
07. Raven God
08. The Allfather Awakes
09. Oden’s Hunt
10. Ascending Like An Eagle
Format Details:
CD: Digipak with 20-page booklet (US and EU)
CD: Deluxe Edition – 2-CD with lenticular cover – includes bonus audio Live from Summer Breeze 2024, 4 art prints and patch (EU)
CD: Jewel case – includes bonus tracks “Heidrun (Live at Graspop, 2023)” “Put Your Back into the Oar (Live at Hellfest, 2023)” (JP)
CD: Talk Shop Live Edition – Digipak with 20-page booklet – includes a band signed art print (US)
LP: Standard Edition – Single LP gatefold with lyric sheet (US and EU)
LP: Blood-filled “Oden Eye” Single LP (liquid vinyl) + poster + signed art print, and vinyl sized booklet (US and EU)
LP: Talk Shop Live Edition – Single LP – color “Oden’s Hunt” – includes a band signed art print (US)
Cassette: available in the EU + Amon Amarth’s US store
Digital/Streaming: all major platforms
Vinyl Variants:
US
“Oden’s Hunt”
“Yggdrasil Burns” – Indie exclusive
“Viking Blood Runs Red” – Metal Injection Exclusive
“Golden Hall Gold” – Amon Amarth Web Store
“Demons Ascend” – Metal Blade Web Exclusive
“The Rainbow Bridge” – Metal Blade Web Exclusive
“Mead of Poetry” – Metal Blade Web Exclusive
“Oden’s Eye Sky Blue” – Spotify Fans First
“Copper Gjallarhorn” + Amon Amarth mead – Brimming Horn Meadery (D2C bundle)
EU
“Raven Black” 180g
“Oden’s Hunt Green” marble
“Wave Ruler Blue” marble
“Die With A War Cry Red” – Cultura Exclusive
“Pagan Bloodbath Splatter” – Amon Amarth Store excl.
“The Allfather’s Light” – Amazon Exclusive
“Sleipnir’s Thunder” splatter – EMP Exclusive
“Remains of The Slain” splatter – Sound Pollution Exclusive
“Golden Mead Of The Gods” – Sweden Rock Mag Exclusive
“Kvasir’s Blood” splatter – Mystic Exclusive
“Silence Of The Fallen” – HMV Exclusive (UK)
Picture Disc
For worldwide variants and more info, visit HERE and Amon Amarth’s webstore.
This autumn, The Allfather Awakens will take physical form on stage as the band unveils an entirely new production inspired by Oden’s legendary Golden Hall, transforming their iconic concert experience into a living extension of the new album. AMON AMARTH perform across the U.K. and Europe. See below for a full list of worldwide dates; visit here for tickets and more info.
THE ALLFATHER AWAKENS TOUR will raid cities across Europe later this year, featuring Sweden’s heaviest army: Amon Amarth, Orbit Culture, and Soilwork.
UK Dates:
Fri 9th Oct – ENGLAND – Manchester, O2 Apollo
Sat 10th Oct – ENGLAND – London, Eventim Apollo
Sun 11th Oct – ENGLAND – Wolverhampton, Civic Hall
EU Dates:
Tue 13th Oct – FRANCE – Paris, Zenith
Wed 14th Oct – LUXEMBOURG – Esch sur Alzette, Rockhal
Fri 16th Oct – GERMANY – Stuttgart, Schleyer-Halle
Sat 17th Oct – GERMANY – Frankfurt, Festhalle
Sun 18th Oct – BELGIUM – Antwerp, Lotto Hall
Tue 20th Oct – NETHERLANDS – Den Bosch, Mainstage
Wed 21st Oct – GERMANY – Hamburg, Sporthalle
Fri 23rd Oct – SWEDEN – Gothenburg, Scandinavium
Sat 24th Oct – SWEDEN – Stockholm, Hovet
Mon 26th Oct – FINLAND – Helsinki, Ice Hall
Tue 27th Oct – ESTONIA – Tallin, Unibet Arena
Thu 29th Oct – POLAND – Gliwice, PreZero Arena Gliwice
Fri 30th Oct – GERMANY – Leipzig, Quarterback Immobilien Arena
Sat 31st Oct – GERMANY – Oberhausen, Rudolf Weber Arena
Mon 2nd Nov – HUNGARY – Budapest, Barba Negra
Tue 3rd Nov – AUSTRIA – Vienna, Gasometer
Wed 4th Nov – GERMANY – Bamberg, Brose Arena
Fri 6th Nov – CZECH REPUBLIC – Prague, O2 Universum
Sat 7th Nov – GERMANY – Berlin, Velodrom
Sun 8th Nov – GERMANY – Munich, Zenith
Tue 10th Nov – ITALY – Milan, Alcatraz
Wed 11th Nov – SWITZERLAND – Zurich, The Hall
Fri 13th Nov – SPAIN – Barcelona, Sant Jordi Club
Sat 14th Nov – SPAIN – Madrid, Vistalegre
Sun 15th Nov – PORTUGAL – Lisbon, Sala Tejo
Get your tickets here: https://amonamarth.com/tour/.
Over 30 years later, Amon Amarth remains a band of brothers, and that loyalty and unity allow for harmony and a united front that conquers both the stage and record. Frontman Johann Hegg’s powerfully rendered lyrics on The Allfather Awakens’ on “We Rule The Waves” sum up the band’s unrelenting intent. “From cradle until the grave / As long as the sun sets in the west / We rule the waves / Our restless hearts / Have brought us far / As far as Vinland’s shores / We’ve gone further / Than any man has ever gone before.”
From Amon Amarth’s 1992 formation in Tumba, Sweden, to the worldwide fame they’ve found in the ensuing years, their lyrical, live and recorded musical legacy speaks for itself. Over the past few years the band have performed globally and alongside legendary acts such as Slayer, Iron Maiden, Slipknot, Pantera in addition to monumental takeovers of Los Angeles’ The Forum and Denver’s historic Red Rocks Amphitheatre to name a few. Across seas, Amon Amarth have headlined multiple major rock and metal fests including an epic performance at Germany’s Wacken in 2024 for 85,000. Elsewhere on UK/European soil, the Viking lords have twice headlined the UK’s storied Bloodstock festival, made four appearances at Download (2008 – 2019), and performed at Summer Breeze eight times (2003 – 2024) – six of them as headliner.
Their rapidly increasing sales and touring numbers, plus pre-release buzz to Amon Amarth’s 2026 North American tour with Dethklok and Castle Rat, has managed to garner mainstream success without sacrificing either of their constantly evolving creativity or heaviness. Audience demographics run the gamut from pre-teens to 60-somethings, an inclusive metal experience for those who appreciate epic positivity and powerfully inspirational lyrics.
Their cultural influence cannot be overstated. To wit: The Row. The consensus is that the legendary “Viking row” by audience members first began during the 2009 Amon Amarth set at Bloodstock. Fans get on the ground and, in unison, imitate rowing an invisible longship in a powerfully unifying experience. With the 2022 release of the single and video “Put Your Back Into The Oar,” Hegg said, “we thought it was a good idea to write a song about The Row! This one is for you, the fans, wherever you are–and may Oden guide you as you row to your destiny in uncharted seas!”
Over the years the phenomenon has spread to other artist’s’ concerts and global events including 2026 World Cup audiences – but thanks to video footage, it’s safe to say Amon Amarth audiences began the now-iconic trend. Last month, Hegg spoke to No
rway’s public broadcaster NRK about the The Row’s origin, read the interview here.
Amon Amarth Lineup:
Johan Hegg – Vocals
Olavi Mikkonen – Guitar
Johan Söderberg – Guitar
Ted Lundström – Bass
Jocke Wallgren – Drums
Follow Amon Amarth: http://amonamarth.com
