When Unleashed proclaimed that “The Longships are Coming” who knew they had foreseen a future of battle metal warriors, paying tribute to the ancient gods, otherwise known as Viking metal. Who better to wield the bloody battle axe and wave the victory flags than Sweden's Amon Amarth, leading a musical movement they helped to forge and create.

Twilight of the Thunder God has all of what you'd expect of Amon Amarth. has all of what you'd expect of Amon Amarth. The band retains its death metal roots, but has added more melody into their epic death metal sound--though not in the vocal department. Johan Hegg's abysmal growl is as prominent as ever. He bellows out mighty verses, telling tales of abandoned battlegrounds, heroism, broken shields and protectors of the gods. It's the guitar playing of Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg that provides the melody when they're not chugging their way to Valhalla. You instantly know it's Amon Amarth after hearing the first guitar note on any of their albums. The rhythm section of bassist Ted Lundström and drummer Fredrik Andersson lays down one of the most devastating bottom ends I've heard in recent memory.

The band branches out its melodic death style here in brief moments, with triumphant brass and war chants backing the tale “Tattered Banners and Bloody Flags,” a string interlude on “Live for the Kill” and guest vocals from L.G. Petrov (Entombed) on the battle anthem "Guardians of Asgaard.” “Varyags of Miklagaard's” chugging mid-paced gallop lays the foundation for a stomping metal masterpiece. This is my favorite track of the album. Back to back with “Tattered Banners...” it puts this album completely over the top. The opening title track has a signature Amon Amarth guitar melody that will remain in your head for days after.

The production here is flawless. I hate to say it, but I listened to Twilight of the Thunder God after listening to Metallica's Death Magnetic and the difference in the quality of the sound is night and day. Anyone who says otherwise needs their ears checked. That's not a shot directly at Metallica alone. This is how a metal album should sound. Speaking of Metallica, “Free Will Sacrifice's” stripped-down rhythm and guitars sound like something that would fit on the "black" album, except death metal. Here, Hegg can be heard bellowing a dark hymn reminiscent of Type O Negative or Paradise Lost.

The only concern is that, although Amon Amarth has evolved with its sound, I think if you took a dozen of their songs off various albums there wouldn't be much of a difference. But then again, with a sound and style so perfectly executed, little change is necessary. No complaints here.

The longships have indeed arrived and Amon Amarth is aboard the flagship of the fleet. Twilight of the Thunder God is one of the best of 2008.