For Sweden’s Amon Amarth, the Viking invasion never ended. Using Norse trickster god Loki as its focal point, the quintet’s ninth LP swings the battle-axe of death metal while digging into human duality as a theme. Ultimately, it’s about the extra-chunky riffs and Johan Hegg’s inhuman gargle. Ex-Candlemass singer Messiah Marcolin adds otherworldly moans to “Hel.” ** (Amon Amarth cleaves skulls at Austin 360 Amphitheater’s Mayhem Fest on Friday, Aug. 2.)

This article appears in August 2 • 2013.

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Michael Toland started writing about music in 1988 on the Gulf Coast, moved to Austin in early 1991, and has inflicted bylines upon the corporeal and digital pages of Pop Culture Press, The Big Takeover, Blurt, Amplifier, Austin.citysearch, the Austin American Statesman, Goldmine, Sleazegrinder, Rock & Roll Globe, High Bias, FHT Music Notes, and, since 2011, The Austin Chronicle.