Twilight of the Thunder God is the seventh studio album by the Swedish melodic death band Amon Amarth. Twilight of the Thunder God was released on September 17 in Sweden and Finland, and will be released elsewhere on dates: September 19 in Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, September 30 in North America and September 22, 2008 for the rest of Europe.[3]
In anticipation of this album, there was a series of studio diaries in the form of vlogs that discussed the recording process of this album in the studio. There were six vlogs recorded. The first focused on Fredrik Andersson recording the drums[4]. The second vlog focused on Olavi Mikkonen recording the rhythm guitar position[5]. The third blog focused on Ted Lundström recording bass guitar and band members preparing food. The fourth episode focused on Johan Hegg recording vocals. The fifth video was Johan Söderberg performing and recording guitar solos. The final vlog featured Johan Söderberg packing up the studio and a sneak peak of the album.
There is also a series of 8-page comics titled "Twilight of the Thunder God" released in magazines throughout Europe.[6]
On June 27, 2008, the title of this album was announced, it being "Twilight of the Thunder God". Twilight of the Thunder God features several high-profile guest appearances including Entombed vocalist Lars Göran Petrov on "Guardians of Asgaard", Children of Bodom guitarist Roope Latvala who contributes a solo on the track "Twilight of the Thunder God" and Finnish cello metal band Apocalyptica as a guest appearance on "Live for the Kill".[7] [8]
Approximately a month later on July 25, 2008, the album artwork was revealed, featuring Thor, the Norse God of Thunder, in battle with Jörmungandr.[9]
On August 27, 2008, Amon Amarth released the information that they had recently finished work on a video clip for the title track of the album. The video clip was shot in Jomsborg, Poland. The band notes that while they were there, a heavy storm came through the town, resulting in the roughest conditions the band has ever shot a music video in.[10]