Today Amon Amarth released a segment from their live DVD that comes with the packaged Twilight of the Thunder God CD. The song is Asator, and it was shot at Summer Breeze 2007. The overall intensity of this clip is almost as awesome as seeing them live. Better yet, it doesn’t switch between annoying camera angles ever 2 seconds! From what I’ve heard this DVD even beats out the Wrath of the Norseman DVD, which if you’ve seen you know how awesome it is.

Also, Amon Amarth started their tour of the US again today.
From the band:
Today​ is the first​ day of our North​ Ameri​can tour and we’​re thril​led!​ Looki​ng forwa​rd to play these​ shows​ and try out some new songs​ from “​Twili​ght of the Thund​er God”​.​ We also have some surpr​ises in the setli​st,​ hopef​ully there​ will be somet​hing for every​one.​ At least​ we had fun plann​ing the set and bring​ing in some wild cards​!​ We’​re hopin​g to see every​one of you out at the shows​.​

We would​ also like to remin​d you that we will try to have a meet and greet​ at the shows​ from doors​ open until​ the first​ band goes on stage​ depen​ding on if timin​g permi​ts.​ So show up early​ and bring​ a frien​d!​

Upcom​ing North​ Ameri​can dates​:​

01.10 House​ Of Blues​,​ Anahe​im,​ CA
02.10 The Avalo​n,​ Los Angel​es,​ CA
03.10 Slim’​s,​ San Franc​isco,​ CA
04.10 Hawth​orne Theat​re,​ Portl​and,​ OR
05.10 El Coraz​on,​ Seatt​le,​ WA
06.10 Croat​ian Cultu​re Centr​e,​ Vanco​uver,​ BC
08.10 The Starl​ite Room,​ Edmon​ton,​ AB
09.10 The Wareh​ouse,​ Calga​ry,​ AB -​SOLD OUT-
10.10 Ridel​l Centr​e,​ Regin​a,​ SK
11.10 The Garri​ck Centr​e,​ Winni​peg,​ MB
12.​10 Stati​on 4, St. Paul,​ MN
13.10 House​ Of Blues​,​ Chica​go,​ IL
15.10 Phoen​ix Conce​rt Theat​re,​ Toron​to,​ ON
16.10 Le Medle​y,​ Montr​eal,​ QC
17.10 Theat​re Imper​ial,​ Quebe​c City,​ QC
18.10 The Palla​dium,​ Worce​ster,​ MA
19.10 Troca​dero,​ Phila​delph​ia,​ PA
20.10 The Fillm​ore,​ New York,​ NY
21.​10 Jaxx,​ W. Sprin​gfiel​d,​ VA

For all tour dates​ and ticke​t info click​ HERE!​

Avast, ye scallywags, this here be a Pirate Metal band! Alestorm brings us the tales of the old seas on their newest CD, Captain Morgan’s Revenge. These pirates hail from Scotland and describe their music as “True Scottish Pirate Metal”. Originally, the band was created in 2004 under the name Battleheart as a power/folk metal band. However, after a few more members were added they found home in the pirate theme.

Make sure your boot straps are fastened as Alestorm takes you on a journey over the high seas, to taverns, and after wenches and gold!

Alestorm’s popularity is steadily growing, and I’ve heard rumors of a possible US tour soon. This, however, has not been confirmed by the band, or their label.

Keep of Kalessin is an epic and melodic blend of black and thrash metal hailing from Norway, however, they have something in their music that seems to transcend beyond any type of metal yet to be heard. Today’s featured song is Crown of Kings from their album entitled Armada. Crown of Kings is an eight minute masterpiece, filled with ear pleasing minor chords and blast beats, inhuman vocals, and melodies sure to stick in your head.

Keep of Kalessin recently wrapped up their tour of North America with Dimmu Borgir and Behemoth.

Yet again, the Norwegians are back in the US with the Death by Decibels tour with Kataklysm and Eluveitie. Do not miss this tour! The band has continued to receive phenomenal reviews since their release of Armada, and with their follow up CD Kolossus.

Be sure to check out Kolossus.no and their official Myspace for more information.

Live video I recorded of Eluveitie live at Paganfest 2008! Eluveitie hail from Switzerland and call themselves the ‘New Wave’ of Folk Metal. Eluveitie has ‘introduced’ new instruments (to some) with their use of traditional instruments such as the hurdy gurdy, bagpipes, and a small arsenal of whistles.

Eluvetie are making their second appearance in the United States for the Death By Decibels tour with Kataklysm, and Keep of Kalessin.

Today was the debut for Scar Symmetry’s newest music video - Morphogenesis (from the album Holographic Universe).  The video is very fitting for the song, and the use of slow motion was done superbly - adding a different type of intensity to the song.

However, as of September 11th 2008, vocalist Christian Älvestam officially departed from the band.  This also means this will be the last video from SS featuring him.  Is this the end of the band? Probably not, but I’ve yet to hear any rumors of new vocalists auditioning.

Scar Symmetry’s album Holographic Universe is in stores now!

Amon Amarth released their newest music video today, Twilight of the Thunder God (from the album Twilight of the Thunder God).  Raise your swords, and cling to your mjöllnirs as these Viking Swedes take you into battle!

I found this video to be a typical Amon Amarth video with swords, shields, blood, and battles - but what more could you expect from them?  According to vocalist Johann, this video was metaphorical to the lyrics.  The video could have been of Thor fighting the Midgaard serpent, but Ragnarok hasn’t come yet.  So instead, the video depicts several small battles going on between viking groups.

Twilight of the Thunder God is as intense as it is epic - having one of the most memorable intros on the CD. Several guest appearances are made on the CD, and in this song Roope Latvala from Children of Bodom delivers the ferocious solo.

Hide your women, and lock your doors, Amon Amarth’s Twilight of the Thunder God will be realeased on September 22!