Fate of Norns

Infobox Album |
Name = Fate of Norns
Type = studio
Artist = Amon Amarth


Released = September 6, 2004
Recorded = May/June, 2004 Berno Studios, Malmö
Genre = Melodic death metal, Viking metal
Length = 40:03
45:00 (bonus disc)
Label = Metal Blade Records
Producer = Berno Paulsson
Amon Amarth
Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:difrxqysldke link]
* The Metal Observer rating-10|9.5 [http://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=1&id=7697 link]
Last album = "Versus the World"
(2002)
This album = "Fate of Norns"
(2004)
Next album = "With Oden on Our Side"
(2006)

"Fate of Norns" is the fifth full-length studio album by the melodic death metal band Amon Amarth, released on September 6, 2004 by Metal Blade Records. This album continued their slower, heavier sound which started on the previous album "Versus the World". Before "Fate of Norns" was officially released by Metal Blade, promo copies were distributed with CD-ROM extras including pictures, biographies, sheets and logos. The album was released in conventional LP format as well as a limited digipak edition. The latter includes a live bonus DVD, "Amon Amarth Live at Grand Rokk", which features live recordings and three-camera footage of a live performance in Reykjavík, Iceland on March 5, 2004. "The Pursuit of Vikings" was also made into a music video.

When asked to comment on the album, lead vocalist Johan Hegg, remarked: cquotetxt|The sound is more mature than on previous albums. I think the foundation for this sound started when we changed studios from Abyss to Berno when we got to working with Berno Paulsson. We improved the sound a lot for this album. We were able to make all the instruments work better together and still make them prominent one by one in the production as well. We were also able to keep the heaviness and brutality we need to be Amon Amarth.|Johan Hegg|color=gray|size=360%

Track listing

# "An Ancient Sign of Coming Storm" − 4:38
# "Where Death Seems to Dwell" – 4:58
# "The Fate of Norns" – 5:58
# "The Pursuit of Vikings" – 4:30
# "Valkyries Ride" – 4:57
# "The Beheading of a King" – 3:24
# "Arson" – 6:48
# "Once Sealed in Blood" – 4:50

Bonus DVD disc (limited edition only)

Amon Amarth live at Grand RokkReykjavík at Reykjavík, Iceland:

# "Death in Fire"
# "The Last with Pagan Blood"
# "For the Stabwounds in Our Backs"
# "Masters of War"
# "The Sound of Eight Hooves"
# "Bloodshed"
# "Versus the World"
# "Victorious March"

Credits

Band members

* Fredrik Andersson − drums
* Olavi Mikkonen − guitars
* Johan Hegg − death vocals
* Johan Söderberg − guitars
* Ted Lundström − bass

Other

* Mixed and mastered at Berno Studio by Berno Paulsson.
* Horn on "Arson" by Udo Schlangschnabel.