Amon Amarth Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mount Doom

Amon Amarth is the Sindarin translation of "Mount Doom". Sindarin is a fictional language created by J.R.R. Tolkien for the "Lord of the Rings" series of books; the language is spoken mostly by elvish inhabitants of middle earth, hence the more common title of elf (elven)-tongue.

Answer: Tumba, Sweden

The band formed in Tumba, Sweden in 1992 under the name Amon Amarth. The band changed the name to Amon Amarth following a brief period under the name Scum, which had been used from 1988.

Answer: Thousand Years of Oppression

According to the liner notes of the album "Versus the World", the only lyrics not written by vocalist Johan Hegg were the lyrics for "Thousand Years of Oppression". The lyrics were actually adapted by Hegg from a poem written by his sister. Hegg was so deeply moved by the story that he wanted to turn it into a song, so he asked his sister, and when she okayed the idea, the poem was slightly altered and turned into this fantastic tune.

Answer: Master of war

This song is one of my favorites from "With Oden on Our Side". It is very much an ode to Thor, the Norse God of thunder, lightning and the protection of mankind, among other forces.

Answer: Hermod's Ride To Hel & Töck's Taunt

These two songs are part one and two of "Loke's Treachery". In part one, "Hermod's Ride To Hel", Hermod rides the eight-legged horse, Sleipnir, to Hel to negotiate for the life of Baldr, Hermod's brother. Hel (which is not just a place, but also personified) agrees to return Baldr's breath as long as everyone in all the world shall mourn his death and weep for him.

It is in the second part, "Töck's Taunt", that we find out why Baldr is unable to return. Töck is a crow, and when asked why it would not weep for the fallen God, Töck replies that the God brought no joy to its life, and so it sees no reason to weep.

However as fate would have it, the crow is actually Loke in disguise. Loke is the one truly responsible for the death of Baldr and so he refuses to weep, preventing Baldr's return to life.

Answer: Arson

This song is a great story about an ambush on a small town, where the citizens are awoken by a horn, indicating invasion. The citizens go out to fight, but are outnumbered and so they retreat to their home. The fighting continues and the townspeople are killing their enemies one by one, and so the invaders set fire to the house.

The song's narrator relates that he and four others were trapped inside and hoped for escape. When an opening in the flames appeared, the narrator was the first and only one to escape, as the building collapsed on his friends, leaving the narrator as the only survivor.

Answer: Destroyer of the Universe

This song is very interesting when considered alongside "The Last Stand of Frej", as the two are related almost in opposition to each other. "Destroyer of the Universe" is told from the perspective of Surtur, and "The Last Stand of Frej" is told by Frej.

Answer: Yggdrasil

One of my favorite Amon Amarth songs, this tune once again makes reference to the mythological end of days, Ragnarok. This line makes reference to the quaking of the world tree, Yggdrasil. This occurrence is one of the most emphatic signals to indicate the coming end of the world.

The song as a whole describes the event as the Aesir (Norse gods) and Muspell (sons of fire/kind of an army of the damned) will do battle on Vigrid's Field.

Answer: A Beast Am I

A beast he is! According to the Ragnarok myth, the Fenris Wolf is to break free from his bindings and meet in combat with Oden. Oden met with the Norns beforehand and knows his fate, to be eaten up by the Fenris Wolf. All is not lost however, as it is told that Oden's son Vidaar will avenge the Allfather, and tear the great wolf's head in half.

The song relates most of the pertinent pieces of information regarding the Fenris wolf's life, from his binding to Ragnarok.

Answer: Embrace of the Endless Ocean

Another of my favorites! This song tells the story of a man who has been held captive as a slave and has just acquired his freedom. He sets out to sea to return to his home and his family, particularly his father. However on the journey home, a massive storm destroys his boat and he is thrown into the icy waters.

As he sinks deeper and deeper, he thinks of the things from his home. "Won't feel the breeze of my home shores, nor see the lakes or winter snow, my hopeful dreams lie ripped and torn, Father, I die alone." Very somber, but totally metal!