Twilight of the Thunder God

Untitled

Twilight of the Thunder God is the seventh studio album by the Swedish melodic death metal band Amon Amarth. Twilight of the Thunder God was released in September 2008. The album has received largely positive reviews and the best sales of the band's career.

Pre-release and production

In anticipation of this album, there was a series of studio diaries in the form of vlogs that discussed the recording process of this album in the studio. There were six vlogs recorded. The first focused on Fredrik Andersson recording the drums. The second vlog focused on Olavi Mikkonen recording the rhythm guitar position. The third blog focused on Ted Lundström recording bass guitar and band members preparing food. The fourth episode focused on Johan Hegg recording vocals. The fifth video was Johan Söderberg performing and recording guitar solos. The final vlog featured Johan Söderberg packing up the studio and a sneak peak of the album.

A series of 8-page comics were made during the production of the album, eponymously entitled "Twilight of the Thunder God", released in magazines throughout Europe.

On June 27, 2008, the title of this album was announced, it being "Twilight of the Thunder God". Twilight of the Thunder God features several high-profile guest appearances including Entombed vocalist Lars Göran Petrov on "Guardians of Asgaard", Children of Bodom guitarist Roope Latvala who contributes a solo on the track "Twilight of the Thunder God" and Finnish cello metal band Apocalyptica as a guest appearance on "Live for the Kill".

Approximately a month later on July 25 2008, the album artwork was revealed, featuring Thor, the Norse God of Thunder, in battle with Jörmungandr.

On August 27, 2008, Amon Amarth released the information that they had recently finished work on a video clip for the title track of the album. The video clip was shot in Jomsborg, Poland. The band notes that while they were there, a heavy storm came through the town, resulting in the roughest conditions the band has ever shot a music video in.

Reception

The album debuted at number 50 on the billboard 200, and debuted at number 11 on the Swedish album charts. This makes the band's first album to chart on the top 200, and also the band's highest chart debut in their native country of Sweden, debuting 10 places higher than their previous release, With Oden on Our Side.

Track listing

1. "Twilight of the Thunder God" (feat. Roope Latvala) − 4:08
2. "Free Will Sacrifice" − 4:08
3. "Guardians of Asgaard" (feat. Lars Göran Petrov) − 4:23
4. "Where Is Your God?" − 3:11
5. "Varyags of Miklagaard" − 4:18
6. "Tattered Banners and Bloody Flags" − 4:30
7. "No Fear for the Setting Sun" − 3:54
8. "The Hero" − 4:04
9. "Live for the Kill" (feat. Apocalyptica) − 4:11
10. "Embrace of the Endless Ocean" − 6:44

Bonus CD/DVD track listing

1. "Intro"
2. "Valhall Awaits Me"
3. "Runes to My Memory"
4. "Cry of the Black Birds"
5. "Asator"
6. "Pursuit of Vikings"
7. "Fate of Norns"
8. "Without Fear"
9. "With Oden on Our Side"
10. "Where Silent Gods Stand Guard"
11. "An Ancient Sign of Coming Storm"
12. "Victorious March"
13. "Death in Fire"

Personnel

Band members

• Johan Hegg − vocals
• Olavi Mikkonen − guitars
• Johan Söderberg − guitars
• Ted Lundström − bass guitar
• Fredrik Andersson − drums

Guest musicians

• Lars Göran Petrov (Entombed) − vocals on "Guardians of Asgaard"
• Roope Latvala (Children of Bodom) − guitar on "Twilight of the Thunder God"
• Apocalyptica − cellos on "Live for the Kill"

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format	Catalog
Sweden, Finland	September 17, 2008	Metal Blade	Compact Disc
Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Italy	September 19, 2008	Metal Blade	Compact Disc
The rest of Europe	September 22, 2008	Metal Blade	Compact Disc
North America	September 30, 2008	Metal Blade	Compact Disc, Enhanced CD