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)
Valhall Awaits Me
Amon Amarth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The cut is wide and deep
And before I turn around
He falls to his knees
A clear song rings in the blade
When steel meets hardened steel
I hear the sound of wood that breaks
I drop the shield and grab my axe
A weapon in each fist
The first blow makes the helmet crack
The axe cut to the teeth
I rip the axe from the head
Covered in blood and brains
Leave the body lying dead
Ready to strike again
My sword cuts through clothes and skin
Like a hot knife cuts through snow
I smile as the bastard screams
When I twist my sword
Sword in my hand
Axe on my side
Valhall awaits me
Soon I will die
Sword in my hand
Axe on my side
Valhall awaits me
When I die
Bear skin on my back
Wolf jaw on my head
Valhall awaits me
When I'm dead
I raise my axe above my head
My eyes stare in furious rage
Yet more blood will be shed
This is a victorious day
Blood gushes from the wound
The cut is wide and deep
As I turn around
I fall to my knees
Sword in my hand
Axe on my side
Valhall awaits me
Soon I will die
Sword in my hand
Axe on my side
Valhall awaits me
When I die
Bear skin on my back
Wolf jaw on my head
Valhall awaits me
When I'm dead
Amon Amarth's “Valhall Awaits Me” depicts the life of a Viking warrior, who meets his end while fighting with an enemy. The song begins with the warrior, who is already bleeding from a wound inflicted by the enemy, quickly killing his opponent with his sword. He then grabs his axe, which was at his side, and makes a second kill by striking the enemy's helmet with his axe. The Viking is described as completely fearless, ignoring his own wounds and charging forward for the win.
After killing several enemies in the battle, the Viking knows he is soon to die. However, he is ready to meet his demise because he believes he will be going to Valhalla, where he will be feasting with the other warriors who died while fighting. The Viking carries a bear skin on his back and a wolf jaw on his head, which were symbols of strength and power among the Vikings. The song concludes with the Viking falling to his knees, ready to join his fellow warriors in the afterlife.
Overall, “Valhall Awaits Me” tells the story of a courageous Viking warrior who fought and won until his very last breath. The Viking's willingness to die illustrates the love of battle and the desire for honor and glory that was prevalent among the Vikings.
Line by Line Meaning
Blood gushes from the wound
Blood spurts out from the wound caused by the sword cut
The cut is wide and deep
The wound is substantial and extends deeply
And before I turn around
Before I am able to react and face the attacker
He falls to his knees
The enemy loses balance and falls to the ground with wounded knees
A clear song rings in the blade
A sharp and crisp sound is produced by the blade
When steel meets hardened steel
When my sword connects with the enemy's sword
I hear the sound of wood that breaks
I detect a sound resembling that made when wood is shattered
A sword cuts through my shield
The enemy's sword penetrates my shield
I drop the shield and grab my axe
I let go of the shield and pick up my axe
A weapon in each fist
I hold a weapon in each hand
The first blow makes the helmet crack
The initial strike results in significant damage to the helmet
The axe cut to the teeth
My axe was able to penetrate the enemy's mouth and cause damage to his teeth
I rip the axe from the head
I pull the axe out of the head of the defeated enemy
Covered in blood and brains
My axe is splattered with the blood and brain matter of the fallen foe
Leave the body lying dead
I abandon the lifeless body of the enemy on the ground
Ready to strike again
I await my next opportunity to attack
My sword cuts through clothes and skin
My sword is able to slice through both clothing and skin
Like a hot knife cuts through snow
My sword effortlessly glides through the enemy, almost as if slicing through softened snow
I smile as the bastard screams
I am pleased with satisfaction as the enemy yells in agony
When I twist my sword
When I pivot my sword inside the wound
Sword in my hand
I am holding a sword in my hand
Axe on my side
My axe is attached to my side
Valhall awaits me
I eagerly await my arrival in Valhalla
Soon I will die
I am certain that I will soon meet my end
Bear skin on my back
I wear a bear skin on my back
Wolf jaw on my head
I bear a wolf's jaw on my head as part of my attire
I raise my axe above my head
I lift my axe up high over my head
My eyes stare in furious rage
My furious gaze is intense and unyielding
Yet more blood will be shed
I am certain that there will be additional bloodshed
This is a victorious day
This day is characterized by my success and triumph
As I turn around
As I pivot and look behind me
I fall to my knees
I collapse onto my knees as a result of my wounds
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: FREDRICK ANDERSSON, JOHAN HEGG, TED LUNDSTROM, OLAVI MIKKONEN, JOHAN SODERBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind