Event:	Amon Amarth: European Tour
Written by:	Baz Anderson
Published:	29.10.2009
Galleries:	Amon Amarth, Entombed - Nottingham, England, 26th October 2009 by Baz Anderson (22)

Whose idea was it to squeeze all these people into this tiny venue? This show was originally set to take place next door in an even smaller room, however the marginally larger Rescue Rooms would become the scene of the crime.

Due to certain unfortunate circumstances, Evile would not be playing. Due to the recent event it was felt it would have been in bad taste to replace the band, therefore the night was all for Entombed and Amon Amarth.

Swedish metallers Entombed had the space of an hour to entertain the audience, and that they certainly did. These guys have been around the block a few times and know just what to do. The music is hard to categorise as the band visit old school styled death metal and thrash metal but do it all at a solid and steady pace for full crushing impact. The audience responded extremely well, many already familiar with the band and keen to show it to an obviously ill frontman who was at constant battle with his nose. The band sounded great and ground out a winning performance to an already packed room.



It was safe to say that most of the population of this sweltering cave were there for currently one of the most popular bands in the world, Amon Amarth. Inevitably the room exploded with the invasion of the stage and bass drum pounding to opening track "Twilight Of The Thunder God". This band never get old, the reason being the guys always look like they are overjoyed to be performing and really give each audience a show they deserve. A Monday night is not the usual favoured night to make a night of, but as Johan told the audience, this was certainly no Monday audience. The room was packed with dripping, sweating guys but they sure let the band know that Nottingham is always a good place for Amon Amarth to visit. On prompt the mob were consistently deafeningly loud to the genuine astonishment of the band considering the room's size.



The band pulled out a typical setlist with no real surprises. The death metal onslaught of "Asator" and melodic pound of "Cry Of The Black Birds" accompany new songs such as the riff-tastic "Live For The Kill" in a great way. It seemingly isn't an Amon Amarth show if "Death In Fire" hasn't had a toasty introduction from the audience or a mass growl along to the chorus of "Pursuit Of Vikings". The band didn't pull anything new out of the hat, there were no surprises. The audience did however enjoy a relatively short show with two killer bands. Amon Amarth always deliver an enjoyable show and equally always appear to enjoy the experience themselves too. A great night for all.



A link to the video interview conducted before the show with Johan Hegg of Amon Amarth can be found here.

Thanks to Andy Turner for the accreditation and interview.
Written, and photos by Barry Anderson.