One of our favorite bands, Amon Amarth, is interviewed at MetalAsF*ck.net:

“We never set out with a goal to do Viking themed lyrics or songs, its something we grew into the first couple of years. It kind of stuck to us. The lyrical theme really fit the music well. It was an interest of mine as well as the other guys in the band as well. We also felt it was something that we could stand for.”

Despite having this fervour for one’s birthright, the band has never tackled an all-Swedish or all-Norse language album, although they have produced a version of one of their songs, Victorious March, performed entirely in German. As principal lyricist for the band, Johan doesn’t think its something that he’ll attempt.

“We have had parts that were in Swedish,” Hegg recalls, “and we did do [that] track that was a salute to our German fans, but as for writing in Swedish, I’ve never thought about it. I’ve never really felt comfortable with it either. I’m not ruling it out, but spontaneously, I don’t think I’ll do that.”

The themes stemmed from a curiosity for the Norse mythology and their common heritage, as Hegg explains.

“We are all Scandinavians, so we all have that ancestry of course. But the main part of it is the interest in the mythology and the history. For me, it’s not a religious belief or anything. It’s more a way of thinking and a view on what it is to be human that kind of appeals to me. It’s more like a philosophy, if you want. It inspires me to be who I am.”

You can read the full thing here:

Amon Amarth interview @ MetalAsF*ck.net

So how about a video? Here’s the title track from ‘Twilight of the Thunder God’: