After conquering ancient battlefields, Amon Amarth level up their Viking melodic death metal sound with increased range and structure. Brooding opener "Death in Fire" howls forth with the band's signature fury, but upon that full-throttle battle anthem's abrupt end, the record delves further into emotional depths than before. The hypnotic circular riffs of "Where Silent Gods Stand Guard" and the sweeping melody of the stark "Across the Rainbow Bridge" give the album a greater sense of reserve than their previous out-for-blood approach.