The band is composed of lead guitarist Olavi Mikkonen, vocalist Johan Hegg, bassist Ted Lundström, rhythm guitarist Johan Söderberg, and drummer Jocke Wallgren. Amon Amarth has released 12 studio albums, one compilation album, one EP, one video album, and ten music videos. Their first studio album, Once Sent from the Golden Hall, debuted in 1998. Five more studio releases followed, before the band saw its breakthrough with the 2008 album Twilight of the Thunder God, which debuted at No. 10 on the Swedish album charts and No. 50 on the US Billboard 200. Five more albums, Surtur Rising, Deceiver of the Gods, Jomsviking, Berserker, and The Great Heathen Army followed in 2011, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022 respectively.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amon_Amarth
Studio albums
Once Sent from the Golden Hall (1998)
The Avenger (1999)
The Crusher (2001)
Versus the World (2002)
Fate of Norns (2004)
With Oden on Our Side (2006)
Twilight of the Thunder God (2008)
Surtur Rising (2011)
Deceiver of the Gods (2013)
Jomsviking (2016)
Berserker (2019)
The Great Heathen Army (2022)
Cry of the Black Birds
Amon Amarth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See the black birds fly!
Let them hear your rage!
Show no fear!
Attack!
Charge your horses across the fields
Together we ride into destiny
Oden will bring us home, when we die!
The ground trembles under us
As we make our thunder charge
The pounding hooves spread panic and fear into their hearts
Our helmets shine in the sun as we near their wall of shields
Some of them turn and run
When they hear our frenzied screams!
Draw your swords to strike!
Hear the Black Birds cry!
Let them feel your hate!
Show no fear!
Charge your horses across the fields
Together we ride into destiny
Have no fear of death, when its our time
Oden will bring us home, when we die!
The enemy are in disarray ride them down as they run
Send them to their violent graves don't spare anyone
Dead and wounded lie all around see the pain in their eyes
Over the field an eerie sound, as we hear the ravens cry
The lyrics of Amon Amarth's "Cry of the Black Birds" paint a vivid picture of the chaos and violence of battle. The song speaks to the bravery and fearlessness of warriors charging into battle, unafraid of death and ready to fight until their last breath. The opening line commands the warriors to raise their swords up high, and the subsequent lines urge them to let their rage and hate show, and to attack with no fear.
The second stanza describes the charge across the battlefield, with the warriors riding towards their destiny. Death is acknowledged as an inevitability, but one that is to be faced with courage and no hesitation, as the god Oden will bring them home when they die. The imagery is powerful, with the pounding hooves of the horses spreading panic among their enemies, and the shining helmets of the warriors reflecting the sun as they approach their adversaries' wall of shields.
The final stanza speaks to the aftermath of the battle, with the enemy in disarray and the warriors riding them down without mercy. The pain and suffering of the wounded and dying is evident in their eyes, and the eerie sound of the ravens crying is a haunting reminder of the bloodshed that has taken place.
Overall, "Cry of the Black Birds" is a song that celebrates the bravery and ferocity of warriors in battle, while also acknowledging the violence and pain that comes with such conflict. It speaks to the human desire for glory and honor, as well as the cost of achieving those things through war.
Line by Line Meaning
Raise your swords up high!
Prepare for battle and show your readiness by lifting your swords high.
See the black birds fly!
Observe the black birds flying, which symbolize war and death.
Let them hear your rage!
Make your anger and aggression known to the enemy.
Show no fear!
Do not let the enemy see any signs of fear, be brave and courageous.
Attack!
Launch an attack against the enemy with all your might.
Charge your horses across the fields
Ride your horses towards the enemy with great speed and power.
Together we ride into destiny
All members of the army are united in their common goal, and ride together towards their fates.
Have no fear of death, when its our time
Embrace the possibility of death, and do not fear it, because it is inevitable.
Oden will bring us home, when we die!
Believe that the god Odin will bring the warriors who die in battle to Valhalla, the hall of the slain.
The ground trembles under us
The riders and horses are so powerful that the earth shakes beneath them.
As we make our thunder charge
The charge of the riders is so loud, that it is compared to the sound of thunder.
The pounding hooves spread panic and fear into their hearts
The noise of the hooves makes the enemy feel frightened and intimidated.
Our helmets shine in the sun as we near their wall of shields
The riders' helmets reflect the sun, as they approach the enemy's defense wall.
Some of them turn and run
Some of the enemy soldiers get scared and try to flee.
When they hear our frenzied screams!
The terrifying screams of the riders make the enemy even more frightened.
Draw your swords to strike!
Prepare to attack the enemy with your swords.
Hear the Black Birds cry!
Listen to the cries of the black birds, which symbolize death and destruction.
Let them feel your hate!
Express your intense hostility towards the enemy through your actions in battle.
The enemy are in disarray ride them down as they run
The enemy soldiers are scattered and disorganized, so take advantage and chase them down as they flee.
Send them to their violent graves don't spare anyone
Kill all of the enemy soldiers, and do not show any mercy.
Dead and wounded lie all around see the pain in their eyes
The battlefield is covered in the bodies of the dead and wounded, and you can see the agony in their eyes.
Over the field an eerie sound, as we hear the ravens cry
The cries of the birds of death, the ravens, can be heard over the eerie battlefield.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: FREDRICK ANDERSSON, JOHAN HANS HEGG, JOHAN OLOF SODERBERG, OLAVI PETTERI MIKKONEN, TED LUNDSTROM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind