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)
Runes to My Memory
Amon Amarth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deep in the land of the Rus'
Following the wind in our sails
And the rhythm of the oars
No shelter in this hostile land
Constantly on guard
Ready to fight and defend
We came under attack
I received a deadly wound
A spear was forced into my back
Still I fought on
When I am dead
Lay me in a mound
Raise a stone for all to see
Runes carved to my memory
Now here I lie on the river bank
A long, long way from home
Life is pouring out of me
Soon I will be gone
I tilt my head to the side
And think of those back home
I see the river rushing by
Like blood runs from my wound
Here I lie on wet sand
I will not make it home
I clench my sword in my hand
Say farewell to those I love
When I am dead
Lay me in a mound
Place my weapons by my side
For the journey to Hall up high
When I am dead
Lay me in a mound
Raise a stone for all to see
Runes carved to my memory
The lyrics of Amon Amarth's song "Runes to My Memory" describe the life of a Viking warrior on a journey down the Eastern trail. The crew is moving through the land of the Rus, with the wind in their sails and the rhythm of the oars. But this is a dangerous journey, and they have to be constantly on guard, ready to fight and defend their ships until the end. The scene then changes to the time when the crew comes under attack, and the singer of the song receives a fatal wound. Despite being injured, he continues to fight, showcasing the warrior spirit of the Vikings.
As he lays dying on the river bank, he thinks of his loved ones back home, and he watches the river rushing by, akin to the blood that runs from his wound. He takes solace in the hope that he will be remembered through the runes that will be carved in his memory. He ultimately succumbs to his injury, but he is content knowing that he will be buried in a mound with his weapons by his side as he travels to the hall up high.
The song "Runes to My Memory" is a beautiful tribute to the Viking warriors and their way of life. It celebrates their bravery, determination, and their willingness to die honorably in battle. It also reflects on the importance of being remembered, leaving a legacy behind, and the significance of the afterlife for the Vikings.
Line by Line Meaning
We hold the rivers of the Eastern trail
We control the rivers of the Eastern trail
Deep in the land of the Rus'
In the land of Rus', we have great power over the rivers
Following the wind in our sails
We travel by the wind guiding our sails
And the rhythm of the oars
We row in unison with great force
No shelter in this hostile land
This land is dangerous and we must always be on guard
Constantly on guard
We remain alert to protect ourselves
Ready to fight and defend
We are prepared to fight fiercely to protect our ships
Ours ships 'til the bitter end
We will fight to the death to protect our ships
We came under attack
We were violently assaulted
I received a deadly wound
I was injured gravely
A spear was forced into my back
A spear was thrust into my back with force
Still I fought on
Despite my injury I continued to fight
When I am dead
After I have passed away
Lay me in a mound
Bury me in a burial mound
Raise a stone for all to see
Place a monument for everyone to remember me
Runes carved to my memory
Inscribe my memory in runic symbols
Now here I lie on the river bank
I am currently lying on the river bank
A long, long way from home
I am far from my homeland
Life is pouring out of me
I am dying and losing my life force
Soon I will be gone
I will die soon
I tilt my head to the side
I turn my head to one side
And think of those back home
I reminisce about my loved ones at home
I see the river rushing by
I see the river flowing swiftly
Like blood runs from my wound
The river looks like my wound bleeding out
Here I lie on wet sand
I am currently lying on wet sand
I will not make it home
I know that I will not survive to make it back home
I clench my sword in my hand
I hold my sword firmly in my hand
Say farewell to those I love
I bid farewell to those I love
Place my weapons by my side
Put my weapons next to me in the burial mound
For the journey to Hall up high
For my afterlife journey to Valhalla
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: FREDRICK ANDERSSON, JOHAN HEGG, TED LUNDSTROM, OLAVI MIKKONEN, JOHAN SODERBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nahshonmarkil4893
We rode the rivers of the Eastern trail,
Deep in the land of the Rus'.
Following the wind in our sails,
And the rhythm of the oars.
No shelter in this hostile land,
Constantly on guard.
Ready to fight and defend
Our ship 'til the bitter end.
We came under attack,
I received a deadly wound.
A spear was forced into my back
Still I fought on.
When I am dead,
Lay me in a mound.
Raise a stone for all to see
Runes carved to my memory
Now here I lay on the river bank
A long, long way from home
Life is pouring out of me
Soon I will be gone.
I tilt my head to the side
And think of those back home
I see the river rushing by
Like blood runs from my wound.
Here I lie on wet sand,
I will not make it home.
I clinch my sword in my hand,
Say farewell to those I love.
When I am dead,
Lay me in a mound.
Place my weapons by my side
For the journey to Hall up high
When I am dead,
Lay me in a mound.
Raise a stone for all to see
Runes carved to my memory
@ashleymcmahon3474
We rode the rivers of the Eastern trail
Deep in the land of the Rus
Following the wind in our sails
And the rhythm of the oars
No shelter in this hostile land
Constantly on guard
Ready to fight and defend
Our ship 'til the bitter end
We came under attack
I received a deadly wound
A spear was forced into my back
Still I fought on
When I am dead
Lay me in a mound
Raise a stone for all to see
Runes carved to my memory
Now here I lie on the river bank
A long, long way from home
Life is pouring out of me
Soon I will be gone
I tilt my head to the side
And think of those back home
I see the river rushing by
Like blood runs from my wound
Here I lie on wet sand
I…
Hit home sadly
@hanselmanryanjames
Amon Amarth, still the kings of synchronized hair swinging.
@ivanvujacic3495
hahahaha 🤣😂
@m2pmd70
Why is it not an Olympic sport yet!? ;)
@ANTILAISA
10/10
@heathsandford5835
Johan throws in a synchronised beard swing too
@nigelplumley8188
My band used to do this, but they're definitely the kings lol
@matthewmccarthy5465
50+ year old metalhead here. I rate the "With Odin on Our Side" album as a masterpiece of the Heavy Metal music genre.
@OjisMagee
This song and music video changed my taste in music forever. It was my very first appreciation for death metal. For that, I am forever grateful.
@blackdevilgamerCA
Best death metal
@tekkenjam
for me it was their blood shed video.