The Summary Judgment Reviews:
Title: The Crusher
Artist: Amon Amarth
Label: Metal Blade
Release Date: November 2000

Rating: 4 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Behemoth (9/26/01):
    Amon was of course King of Judah (642-646 BC) and according to sources, quite inattentive to the worship of God, which lead to his untimely death. Amarth is a large group divided into subordinate species, so the tie in perhaps is a class of medieval non-believers. Sounds good but, actually the band take its name from a Tolkien novel. Amon Amarth originally formed in 1988 under the name Scum; I wonder why they changed the name?

    The Crusher is a Norwegian metal release recorded at studio Abyss, by Peter Tagtgren, hello Hypocrisy, behind the board. Does the word repetition mean anything to you? How about the first song sounding like the last song, or better yet all the songs sounding the same! Don’t get me wrong this a fine slab of death metal but, God, why can’t these bands diversify to a degree. The sound is not that incredible or mesmerizing enough to defy departure. The band claims to be deeply rooted in death metal with firm beliefs in mythology. The Crusher is a concept album with songs about Vikings going to war, check out “Masters of War”, “A Fury Divine”, and “Eyes of Horrors”, care for a little blood? The army of demons rides by his side with weapons drawn, eons ago arose to spill Christian blood.

    Pile driven and twisted guitar tracks segue into the thunderous hoof laden backbeat. Ultra-speed orchestration is meshed with hellish vocals that beckons the call of purgatory. The musical score is consistent, tracks featuring multiple time changes are powerful reminders of what metal is.

    While their music has certainly matured over the years there is still room to grow. Join the band on their Crusades of Darkness Tour coming to a venue near you. It’s encouraging to see Metal Blade finally pick up a good Norwegian metal band. A final word from Amon Amarth, Bastards of a lying breed, you’ve ruled us for to long, truth to you are lies, and your right is so wrong. Amen.
    4 out of 5

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