Year: 2023
Total Time: 19:22
Label: Metal Blade

It is a fact that in the recent years AMON AMARTH have established a huge hype and reputation around their name. Their steady-every two to three years-releases (even if the most recent ones are not something really impressive), but also their dynamic live performances have managed to keep the band in surface, increasing at the same time their fan base. So, as the Swedes’ Viking ship was invading the summer European festivals, they decided to release a new-four song EP entitled “Heidrun”.

We were already familiar with the song “Heidrun” from the Swedes’ recent album “The Great Heathen Army”. In the new EP we find it in three different versions, one with real goat screams (!!), one taken from a live recording and the regular version which is included in the album. In addition, the band has included a live version of “Put Your Back into the Oar” song. The two live versions were recorded at AMON AMARTH’s performances in Graspop and Hellfest the past June, from which we can realise the dynamic show of the band. Regarding the rest of “Heidrun” versions, I wouldn’t say that they offer us something new, in fact the version with the “goat vocals” is really unnecessary and I barely managed to listen to it till the end…

Luckily this release is only in digital format. Releasing an EP which includes two mediocre compositions (which have already been released), would be such a pity. I wonder also who had the idea to use “goat screams”??? The result is completely irrelevant, ridiculous and these sounds can’t fit into the song! “Heidrun” is a completely useless and boring release, for that reason it has been totally unnoticed since the day of its release!

Rating: 5 /10
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link: AMON AMARTH – Official Page