Surtur Rising, the latest studio album from Swedish death metal tyrants, AMON AMARTH sold approximately 15,000 copies in the United States landing the band the #34 on the Billboard Top 200, #6 on the Billboard Top Independent Album, #1 on the Billboard Top Hard Music Albums and #10 on the Indy/Small Chain Core Store Chart. The record entered Austria’s Top 40 Chart at #12 and Switzerland’s Top 100 at #20. In Germany, Surtur Rising sold over 14,000 units, entered the Top 100 Chart at #8 and is in the official Media Mark charts at #14 in its second week.
In addition, Surtur Rising came in at #19 on Canada’s Top 200 Chart, #5 on the Independent Charts and #2 on Hard Charts. The record is #1 in Canada on iTunes’ Top Metal albums, and also charted on the following: #16 Top 200, #3 Top Rock and #1 Top Metal. In the U.S., the record ranked in at #2 on iTunes’ Rock Album chart and #20 in the Top 200 (overall album chart).
Released on March 29 via Metal Blade Records, Surtur Rising is AMON AMARTH‘s eighth studio offering in a winding discography that’s helped shape the very face of epic, Viking-inspired death metal. Named in tribute to Surtur, leader of the fire giants of Muspelheim (“flame land”) and the oldest being in the nine worlds of Norse mythology, the record was recorded, mixed and mastered at Fascination Street Studios Örebro, Sweden with Jens Bogren and bears the striking cover art by Tom Thiel.
The mammoth long-player has been reaping incredible praise from critics nationwide. In a 9/10 review, Blabbermouth compared Surtur Rising to being, “…bludgeoned by your favorite warhammer. Definitely a contender for this year’s best.” Fearnet called it a, “feast of world-destroying metal on par with the band’s career-defining 2008 release Twilight Of The Thunder God,” while Decibel Magazine commended the band noting, “it’s a pleasure to learn one of metal’s most consistent bands remains as indefatigable as ever.” Pop Matters called the record “…another momentous album for AMON AMARTH, leaving no doubt that they are one of the best metal bands in the world!,” and Live-Metal agreed: “…one of the strongest, most massively heavy death metal bands around…”
In conjunction with Surtur Rising‘s release, AMON AMARTH will make their way to the U.S. for a near two-week stretch of live dates later this month. Dubbed “An Evening With AMON AMARTH,” this special trek will find the band performing two separate sets each night: one which will feature Surtur Rising in its entirety and another boasting a collection of songs from previous releases. Confirmed dates below:
An Evening With AMON AMARTH
4/14/2011 The Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL
4/15/2011 Station 4 – Saint Paul, MN
4/16/2011 Granada Theater – Lawrence, KS
4/17/2011 The Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO
4/19/2011 Wonder Ballroom – Portland, OR
4/20/2011 Showbox Sodo – Seattle, WA
4/22/2011 The Regency – San Francisco, CA
4/23/2011 Ace Of Spades – Sacramento, CA
4/24/2011 House of Blues – West Hollywood, CA
4/25/2011 Nile Theatre – Mesa, AZ
4/27/2011 White Rabbit – San Antonio, TX
4/29/2011 Culture Room – Fort Lauderdale, FL
4/30/2011 Beacham Theatre – Orlando, FL
5/01/2011 Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
5/02/2011 Jaxx – Springfield, VA
5/03/2011 Peabody’s – Cleveland, OH
5/05/2011 Best Buy Theater – New York, NY
5/06/2011 Theatre Of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA
5/07/2011 Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA
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