I left the venue sunday night feeling like I'd just been crushed by ten tons of heavy steel. From what I understand this is commonplace when you go to an Amon Amarth show.

For those not in the know, Amon Amarth is a melodic death metal band from Sweden known for their Viking-like appearance and sound. The band is even sometimes referred to as "Viking metal" because many of their lyrics center around Viking mythology. This is a band that is proud of their heritage and ancestry, as evidenced by songs titled "Last of Pagan Blood" and "Bleed for Ancient Gods".

Now, before we go any further, understand something. I am very picky and choosy when it comes to metal. While I have always had an appreciation for the dark and macabre, many of the more "extreme" bands I often find gimmicky and contrived. When a metal band is too over the top they appear more like an act, and it takes a bit away from the power that surges from the stage. I like my metal honest, real and pummeling.

Amon Amarth are pure beasts live...or so I had heard. After listening to the Avenger and the Crusher non-stop for two monthes straight, I discovered that the band would be making a trip to one of Rochester's most popular music venues. There was no question I was making it to this show. As I walked into Water Street Music Hall, I was taken aback by just how far metal has come in the past few years. I remember going to shows in the '90's and a band like Amon Amarth might draw a hundred people. This show was packed! Hundreds of screaming metal fans chanting, yelling and waving mead horns (a staple at Amon shows; they're vikings remember?).

Anticipation gave way to excitement as the band hit the stage around 8:30pm. Amon's vocalist, Johan Hegg, immediately declared that the band would be playing two sets that night. They would be playing their recently released album, Surtur Rising, in its entirety and then, after a "short beer break" would return to play a whole other set of classics. In his deep gutteral voice, Johan then screamed "LET'S GET NUTS" and the band blasted into the first song off Surtur. The new numbers are a bit more slow and devastating, with a more epic feel, as opposed to alot of their earlier work, which was breakneck speed death metal. They feel like they took more time developing song structures this time around with careful emphasis on building tension and resolve. Crushing riffs, devastating vocal delivery and a tight rhythm section, accentuated by spot-on drumming, it's easy to see why the band has such a following in the metal community.

After their first set, the band took a 20 minute break, giving the crowd time to rest from the relentless moshing. During this time, me and my friend discussed our favorite metal albums, as music lovers at a metal show are known to do. (I still say Pantera's Far Beyond Driven is the best...guess we will have to agree to disagree).

Second set. All classics. The band played an array of tracks from some of their most popular albums including The Avenger. During this time the band experienced a few difficulties onstage. They had to stop a couple times, due to missed cues and re-start the songs. They handled it in stride though and this showed they had character. Whereas alot of other metal bands would huff and puff, they laughed and soldiered on. Much respect for that.

At the end of the night I left with my ears ringing, and overstimulated from a wild two hour show. If that is any indication of the loyalty and devotion of the fans and the brute strength and power of Amon Amarth, then the metal scene is in good shape.