Amon Amarth w/ Entombed A.D and Exmortus
Showbox, Seattle, WA
05.17.16

Nearing the end of a nearly seven-week US/Canadian tour, Amon Amarth brought their unique brand of Swedish melodic viking death metal to Seattle for a sold out evening at the storied Showbox at the Market. For their triumphant return to North Americal shores, they’ve brought California’s Exmortus and fellow swedes Entomed A.D. along.

Exmortus opened the evening with an intense thrashing metal set, rousing the already excited crowd to a frenzy with an energetic hair whipping set.

The last time Entombed A.D were here, they were unceremoniously kicked off the tour and were unable to play. So excitement for their first Seattle stop was an understatement, as they had much to prove to this receptive crowd. For the uninitiated, they were formally known as Entombed before that band broke up after nearly 29 years. Check out 1993’s Wolverine Blues as an influential, classic album.

Entombed A.D. has risen from the ashes of Entombed, and is here to support their second album, 2016’s Dead Dawn. The fast and furious thrash groves on songs from both of their releases – as well as Entombed classics – won over a new generation of fans that clearly didn’t know who they were watching.

Fellow Swedish Vikings Amon Amarth brought their massive stage set in support of their 2016 “Jomsviking” tour. How often are you going to see a stage set that is a giant horned Viking helmet as a drum riser that barely fit with 2” to spare from the roof of the Showbox!?

As the band took the stage, opening with “The Pursuit of Vikings” the crowd went absolutely nuts, as front man Johan Hegg stepped back, in utter admiration at the crowd singing along as loud as possible. What an amazing feeling and sight to witness.

On the fourth song, “The Way of Vikings,” the band stepped back as two heavily chain-mailed Viking warriors took the stage in an epic dual. This was no joke and they trashed away at each other with large swords, sending shards of their shields across the stage, until one warrior victoriously slashed the throat of his foe.

Over the remaining set there were many cool moments. One came when Hegg raised his Drinking horn along with the entire band and said “back in Sweden we have a saying: ‘Pour a beer for thirsty men, pour a beer for tired because beer is the bodies friend, and the spirits staff inspire,’ Seattle we raise our horns to you… Skol, Cheers,” and the band took a drink to the roaring, approving crowd! Then they broke into “Raise Your Horns.”

New drummer Jocke Wallgren was a force to be reckoned with, providing the pounding beat for guitarists Johan Söderberg and Olavi Mikkonen, and bassist Ted Lundström, creating a visual spectacle (along with Hegg), windmilling hair spins throughout the set.

What an amazing performance, showing that the “Guardians of Asgaard” are here to stay!

Amon Amarth Set List
The Pursuit of Vikings
As Loke Falls
First Kill
The Way of Vikings
At Dawn’s First Light
Deceiver of the Gods
Cry of the Black Birds
One Against All
Thousand Years of Oppression
Destroyer of the Universe
Death in Fire
Runes to My Memory
One Thousand Burning Arrows
Father of the Wolf
War of the Gods
Victorious March
Raise Your Horns
Guardians of Asgaard
Twilight of the Thunder God

Entombed A.D Set List
Eyemaster
Stranger Aeons
Second To None
Midas In Reverse
Living Dead
Dead Dawn
The Winner Has Lost
Supposed To Rot
Revel In Flesh
Wolverine Blues
Left Hand Path

Exmortus Set List
Rising
For the Horde
Foe Hammer
Death to Tyrants
Moonlight Sonata (Act 3)
Metal is King

Review and photos by Neil Lim Sang

Amon Amarth, Entombed A.D, and Exmortus