October 27th, 2023 - A Helm Of Awe To Protect Against The Deceiver Of The Gods

 

Hello and hails evil-doers!  Your crazy drinkin' buddy the Meista going heavy and aggressive with a pairing of the "Deceiver Of The Gods" (Special Edition Box Set), the ass-kicker from the mighty Amon Amarth and a tasty Helm Of Awe Robust Oatmeal Porter from Mad Swede Brewing!  Oh, hells yeah!!  

Album Info:

• Artist: Amon Amarth
• Title: "Deceiver Of The Gods" (Special Edition Box Set) 
• Recorded: January through March 2013 at Backstage Studios in Derbyshire, UK
• Release date: June 24th, 2013 (9th studio album by Amon Amarth)
• Record company: Metal Blade Records
• Production: Andy Sneap
• Album cover art: Thomas Ewerhard
• Personnel: Fredrik Andersson (drums), Johan Hegg (vocals), Ted Lundström (bass guitar), Olavi Mikkonen (guitars), and Johan Söderberg (guitar)
• Guest musician: Messiah Marcolin (vocals on "Hel")
• Musical style: Melodic death metal, Viking metal, power metal
• Sound: Powerfully aggressive and also very melodic, the sound on "Deceiver Of The Gods" is an onslaught of metal perfection!  The guitar work of Mikkonen and Söderberg soars while Lundström and Andersson lay down a thunderous and crushing rhythm!  And Hegg's vocals are as brutal, honest, and fun as hell to listen to as always!
• Major themes: With songs about Viking and Scandinavian history, lore, and mythology, themes include deception, trickery, bravery, war, violence, warriors, power, might, death, good vs. evil; etc.
• Tracks:  

1. "Deceiver Of The Gods"
2. "As Loke Falls"
3. "Father Of The Wolf"
4. "Shape Shifter"
5. "Under Siege"
6. "Blood Eagle"
7. "We Shall Destroy"
8. "Hel"
9. "Coming Of The Tide"
10. "Warriors Of The North"

• Bonus Disc: "Under The Influence"

1. "Burning Anvil Steel" (original song in the style of Judas Priest)
2. "Satan Rising" (original song in the style of Black Sabbath)
3. "Snake Eyes" (original song in the style of Motörhead)
4. "Stand Up To Go Down" (original song in the style of AC/DC)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Mad Swede Brewing Company (Boise, Idaho)
• Website: https://madswedebrewing.com/
• Brew: Helm Of Awe Robust Oatmeal Porter
• Style: Oatmeal Porter
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 6.0%
• IBUs: 40
• Pour: The Helm Of Awe pours a deep, dark brown (almost ink black) hue with a creamy, 1+ finger, light mocha head with great retention and lots of sticky, soapy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is malty, toasty, and roasty.  There are aromas of dark roasted coffee beans, espresso, toasted oats, dark toasted bread, dark chocolate, a hint of liquid smoke, and light burnt toffee.
• Taste: Like the nose, the taste of the Helm Of Awe is roasty, malty, and slightly sweet.  There are notes of dark roasted malts, hearty oats and barley, hints of coffee, dark chocolate, and soft caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is very smooth, creamy, and velvety with a dry, slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: Those bold, fruity, and complex flavors of the Mad Swede's Helm Of Awe wonderfully compliments the brilliance and depth of "Deceiver Of The Gods"!  And the two together?  Damned good!!  'Nuff said!

Skål!!  Helan går!