In a pause between European festival dates and the release of latest album Deceiver of the Gods, Amon Amarth bassist Ted Lundström explained how the album came together under the guidance of new producer Andy Sneap, whose studio helped the death metal troupe focus.
"We have been thinking about him as a producer for a couple of years but we never got to it until this album," Lundström tells Exclaim! "After three albums working with Jens Bogren, we felt it was time to move on and contacted Andy to see if he was available and interested in working with us. I really like what he did for Accept. Their 'comeback' album Blood of the Nations sounds great."
So, he says, "We had a meeting and decided to work on this album together. I think being trapped out on the English countryside in Andy's studio made us focus more on the recording, and working with such an experienced producer was really cool. We had a great time in the studio and I think that shows on the album."
But that hardly means the band are softening. Lundström identifies "Blood Eagle," a song whose visceral sound effects match its gory subject, as his favourite of the new record. It's "Blood Eagle," he says, "because of the straightforward energy and the cool meaning of the title. A blood eagle is a very macabre way to kill someone. It was sometimes used by Vikings as a death punishment. It is performed by cutting up the back of the person and breaking the ribs open like wings and then pulling out the lungs. We felt this song needed some effects to really get that gory feeling."
Deceiver of the Gods is out now via Metal Blade, and you can see all Amon Amarth's upcoming North American tour dates here.
"We have been thinking about him as a producer for a couple of years but we never got to it until this album," Lundström tells Exclaim! "After three albums working with Jens Bogren, we felt it was time to move on and contacted Andy to see if he was available and interested in working with us. I really like what he did for Accept. Their 'comeback' album Blood of the Nations sounds great."
So, he says, "We had a meeting and decided to work on this album together. I think being trapped out on the English countryside in Andy's studio made us focus more on the recording, and working with such an experienced producer was really cool. We had a great time in the studio and I think that shows on the album."
But that hardly means the band are softening. Lundström identifies "Blood Eagle," a song whose visceral sound effects match its gory subject, as his favourite of the new record. It's "Blood Eagle," he says, "because of the straightforward energy and the cool meaning of the title. A blood eagle is a very macabre way to kill someone. It was sometimes used by Vikings as a death punishment. It is performed by cutting up the back of the person and breaking the ribs open like wings and then pulling out the lungs. We felt this song needed some effects to really get that gory feeling."
Deceiver of the Gods is out now via Metal Blade, and you can see all Amon Amarth's upcoming North American tour dates here.