Amon Amarth's fifth full-length album, 2004's Fate of Norns (Metal Blade) continues the evolution of their sound, from standard melodic death metal into the icy landscapes that would see them become the undisputed kings of the Viking metal mountain. While not as refined as the two albums that would follow it, Fate of Norns is nonetheless an important stepping stone in Amon Amarth's career, and contains plenty of cuts that have become regular fixtures in the band's live shows.

While all the tracks on Fate of Norns are solid and agreeable offerings, not too many of them leap off the CD and into your brain; the only real standouts are "The Fate of Norns", "The Pursuit of Vikings" and "The Beheading of a King". "The Pursuit of Vikings" has a truly headbanging riff and that chugs and pummels through the whole song. It's a bit on the simplistic and repetitive side, but when it sounds this good, it's hard to complain. "The Fate of Norns" has a wonderfully melodic chorus, showing Amon Amarth's ability to seamlessly move beyond sledgehammer riffing into thoughtful and introspective musical territory, an element that would be realized in full as their sound progressed. "Arson" hints at the epic songwriting that Amon Amarth would incorporate into their following albums, as do "The Beheading of a King" and "Valkyries Ride".

But while all the various elements of the album are there - the speed, heaviness, scope and melody - adding up, they fall short, if only slightly. In retrospect, Fate of Norns represents the growing maturity of Amon Amarth that would culminate in 2006's With Oden On Our Side and 2008's Twilight of the Thunder God.  It's still a very enjoyable listen, Fate of Norns, but I can't help but think of it as a sign of things to come. Or, as Amon Amarth themselves would put it in their opening track, "An Ancient Sign of Coming Storm".