Forget Enslaved, nevermind Ensiferum or Turisas. At the moment, Amon Amarth are the only Viking warriors that matter, the only ones capable of writing songs that unravel like sections of a weathered text of Norse mythology. Their epic tales of brutal death, vengeful gods and fierce battles are both ancient and timeless, their music as dramatic and exciting as their evocative stories.

And the band's seventh full album, Twilight of the Thunder God (which came out Tuesday), is their bravest, best and most Vikingrific to date -- even better than 2006's With Oden on Our Side. Oden may be the god of wisdom, war, battle and death, but in the realm of Amon Amarth, his son Thor -- also known as "The Thunder God" -- kicks his motherlovin' ass. Twilight is rife with galloping rhythms, arrow-storming leads and vocals spat from the fiery bowels of an angry dragon, but it's the subtleties that make Amon Amarth shine -- the elongated guitar melodies layered over angular triplets, the sweeping strings juxtaposed against granite-solid riffs.

And anyone who thinks Amon Amarth are are at their Nordic best on CD hasn't seen them live. On stage, the quintet is an army of destruction, attacking like a barbarian horde, leaving no fortress unburnt and no enemy standing. Okay, even if you're annoyed by all the Viking analogies and power metal euphoria, you've got to be impressed by the group's synchronized helicopter headbanging. Even Behemoth can't match their headspinning grace. Amon Amarth are currently on tour with Ensiferum, Belphegor and The Absence, and will continue ravaging U.S. shores through October 21 in West Springfield, Virginia.

HeadbangersBlog.com recently tracked down Hegg to talk to him about the energy that powers the new record, guest musicians, Amon Amarth's eagerness to explore uncharted realms, their fascination with ancient myths and why they were almost booted from a tour with Brutal Truth.

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Time to unsheath your sword, mount your trusty steed and prepare for battle. Unleashed have showered us with the mead of the gods and graced us with their latest sonic offering, "Black Horizon," which we're honored to bestow upon you as you kneel in disbelief. Heathens and pagans, glory in the showcase of strength and fortitude that is Unleashed, and join them on their quest for the "Black Horizon." The track comes from the band's latest album Hammer Battalion. Read commentary about the video by bassist and vocalist Johnny Hedlund, then click "more" to watch it.

"The idea behind 'Black Horizon' is to show how things must have been like for our forefathers so many years ago. Sailing across the open sea wasn't always a successful task, and many brave warriors must have died on foreign soil, a long way from Scandinavian shores. The idea for the lyrics to 'Black Horizon' came to me on our way home from the 'Midvinterblot' North American tour in 2007. At the time, I was a bit worn out, as one should be after a month in a tour bus, but with a proud feeling inside after a very successful tour.

"Unleashed introduced the viking traditions and values into death metal back in the late eighties. Those traditions and values are the pure essence of the song 'Black Horizon.' It is created for all our warriors around the world who are determined to fight the battle of life with great courage, and never give up. Just as life is full of opportunities, victories and greatness, it is also sometimes much the opposite. A battle may have been won but a true warrior and friend may still have lost his life. So we celebrate our dead ones and the legacy they leave behind. Just like our forefathers did in the past, it is for us to do in the present and in the future.

"Hail Odin!" Read more...