Amon Amarth is the kind of band you don’t regret seeing. They’re exciting, visually stimulating, the band engages with the audience, and the music is outstanding. It’s intense, but in a way that feels fun and shared rather than overwhelming.
When the lights go dim and the spotlight shines on a curtain in front of the stage, illuminating the Amon Amarth rune logo, the crowd starts to get restless with anticipation.
When that curtain drops…only Odin himself could save you from what is about to happen.
The light show you get with Amon Amarth is dramatic and gives off a mystic atmosphere. It leans on bold, dramatic colors—deep reds, icy blues, and flashes of white that shift with the mood of each song.
You’ll often see strobe effects during faster sections and slower, more ominous lighting when the music gets heavier or more atmospheric. There are warnings posted around the venue about the light strobe effect and if you have conditions related to that, be aware.
The lights combined with bursts of smoke and occasional fire effects, the whole setup is intensely purposeful, helping turn the stage into something that matches the band’s Viking-inspired themes without ever pulling focus away from the performance itself.
The stage is designed to feel like you’ve walked into a piece of Norse mythology. Front and center as the focal point is a large, elevated drum riser that is built like a Viking helmet. Each side there is either over 30 feet tall Viking statues, or pieces of a ships bow depending on the time of the set.
The guitarists and bassist spread out across the front leaving plenty of room to move around the stage, free to headbang and interact with the crowd. Johan Hegg commands the middle with a deep and growly voice that is unmistakable.
Behind it all is a large LED screen that features Norse imagery; gods, goddesses, battle scenes, and stormy landscapes that shifts with the setlist.
The crowd participation for “Put Your Back into the Oar” is outstanding. I can’t even count how many people row to it, and is expected.
“We’ve seen rowing pits at our shows for a while now but the one at Bloodstock was pretty spectacular. It was fantastic and I think it’s a testament to what amazing people metalheads are and what amazing fans we have. And the fact that a metalhead is someone who just wants to have fun and do silly things while being drunk and listening to the most brutal music you can ever imagine. I love the whole thing, I think it’s brilliant.” Johan Hegg – Kerrang
Ultimately I could go on and on about the live show Amon Amarth put on, but it it best seen and heard in the flesh. Be sure to go and catch them on the rest of the Amonklok tour.
Full Amon Amarth Photo gallery
All photos by Robert Kipness – @straydog.media
