Few bands worth listening to are left from the Swedish underground of the early 90's, once so devastatingly prevalent. Most of the upcoming bands these days are just pathetic interpretations of those early bands who satisfy only the newcomers of metal who give the rest of us shame with their "not-so-underground metal" theologies and unimpressive, weak music.

"The Crusher", however, is a merciless acceptation to this reality. It is the third full length release by the Scandinavian heathens Amon Amarth. Produced by Peter Tagtgren at the Abyss studios (who hasn't recorded there?), "The Crusher" is just a longer imitation of their previous pagan battle hymn "The Avenger", with a similar sound and production. Needless to say, the Viking/antichristian theme saturates the album, as well as the black/death metal vocals of Johann Hegg, and the Marduk style drumming of Fredrik Anderson, to compliment the low, mid-paced riffs they are known for.

Despite the similarities, the Amon Amarth "style" is still unique in the fact that the vocal patterns combine perfectly with the epic, brutal guitar work, and sheer destructive wrath of Norse vengeance, as it rages in the veins. Warfare and northern mythology create a dark barrage of blasphemy and Viking patriotism, which is essential for the music of Amon Amarth to continue kindling the ever dying flame of European metal.

-by Ryan Ward