Live review: Amon Amarth arrived at Grand Rapids with the power of Norse gods: Video, Photos

Amon Amarth’s The Blues – Metal Crushes All Tour with Cannibal Corpse, obituary, and Frozen Soul!

The Swedish Viking blues – metal band Amon Amarth arrived at Grand Rapids with the power of Norse gods. The band’s electric performance whipped the raiding party into a fevered frenzy with powerfully hypnotic guitar riffs, thunderous drumming, and booming vocals as though Odin himself were yelling from Valhalla.

Lead vocalist Johan battled the mighty serpent during “Guardians of Asgard,” and there were epic battles against Loki during “Deceiver of the Gods.” The audience was mesmerized as the band produced a stunning and musically theatrical show.

Amon Amarth had great support from the legendary death metal Cannibal Corpse, fronted by the imposing and powerful George “Corpse Grinder” Fisher, Tampa-based blues – metal band Obituary, and Texas band Frozen Soul.

Cannibal Corpse performed such classics as “Evisceration Plague,” “I Cum Blood,” and “Hammer Smashed Face.”The band’s brutally suggestive lyrics, insane energy, and George’s windmills from hell had the crowd moshing and moving like a human wave. The circle pit was one to behold, pulling in people from all around and allowing fans to lose themselves in a well-orchestrated chaos, for which the band is legendary.

Obituary’s performance surprised me. They were much better live than I expected, with intricate guitar riffs, massive energy from John Tardy on vocals, and booming bass from Terry Butler. Highlights included the songs “Dying Of Everything,” “War,” and “Barely Alive.”

Frozen Soul came onto the stage with the power of a Texas twister, crushing all in their path. I had never heard them until this show, but man, they made an impact. They made a new fan out of me. If you ever get the chance to see this band or this tour…