Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 11:26 PM by Lilliana Tseka
In occasion of the two live performancies by Swedish Amon Amarth in Athens and Thessaloniki we decided as a magazine to make a search about who the hell are those ‘Jomsviking’ which is the title of the band’s latest album as you might all know very well. Though Amon Amarth doesn’t want people to think of them as a Viking band the truth is that this is what appeals to the fans and gave them this big success. I mean man they look like bloody Vikings themselves, there is no point denining it. I kind of asked myself why on earth would they keep saying in almost all of their recent interviews that they are a death metal band, whyyyyyy? The Swedish are one of the most commercial and popular bands out there and rightfully said however there are many that say that they really created five similar albums(not pointing fingers or anything), but no matter what anyone says, numbers talk loud and clearly and both their last albums 2013, ‘Deceiver of the Gods’ and this year’s ‘Jomsviking’ reached in number 19 of Billboard 200. So haters gonna hate no matter what.
So let’s finally start talking about the story behind the successful ‘Jomsviking’. No, i’m not going to review the album this is already taken care of by our beloved author Leon Douras and you can read it here. ‘Jomsviking’ is the first concept album for the Swedish band and talks about the legendary brotherhood of mercenary warriors of 10th and 11th century that were paganists and believed in entities as Odin and Thor. They were ruthless and deadly warriors which fought for the biggest bidder and the code of ethics was simple, as Amon Amarth’s frontman Johan Hegg tells us: ‘Show no fear. Never retreat. Defend your brothers, and when called upon, avenge their deaths.’
The Jomsvikings drew their strength from adventure-seeking recruits from all over the Viking world (including Russ from Novgorod and Kiev). Their numbers are unknown. However, their ships numbered around 30, putting their strength at somewhere between 900 and 2,000 warriors. Alternative accounts put their numbers higher, at 300 and even an improbable 1000 ships; but these higher numbers may represent large fleets of allied Vikings who joined in for specific expeditions, such as Styrbiorn’s attack on Sweden.
They lived by strict code of conduct, and military discipline was enforced among its members. Violation of these rules could be punished with immediate expulsion from the order. No man was accepted without first having to prove his fighting prowess in a fighting duel, or Holmgang, with a selected member. One such candidate was Vagn Åkesson, who at twelve defeated Sigvaldi Strut-Haraldson in such a holmgang; becoming the youngest Jomsviking ever!
Each Jomsviking was bound to defend his brothers, as well as to avenge their deaths ifnecessary. Speaking ill of one’s fellows or quarrelling were forbidden. Blood feuds between members were mediated by Jomsviking officers. No women or children were allowed within the fortress walls, and none were to be taken captive. (It is unclear, however, whether members were forbidden marriage or liaisons with women outside the walls.) No Jomsviking was permitted to be absent from Jomsborg for more than three days without the permission of the brotherhood.
Jomsvikings were forbidden to show fear or to flee in the face of an enemy of equal or inferior strength, though orderly retreat in the face of vastly outnumbering forces appears to have been acceptable. All spoils of battle were to be equally distributed among the entire brotherhood. In this they were very much a prototype for the 17th century Buccaneers of the Caribbean.
Learning about this whole brotherhood story we can understand a bit better the story of Amon Amarth’s young Jomsviking. This young man is in love with a girl but unfortunately she’s being married off. He accidentally kills a man when this happens and he has to flee — but he swears to have revenge and win her back. He can’t let go of the past. He feels that he’s been wronged and his life has been destroyed.
Before I close this tribute I would like to say that there is still in our days a Jomsviking brotherhood that was formed in 1988 and deals with the viking cultural movement. They have unparalleled experience in various forms of viking combat and they organize festivals. Anyone who would like to become a modern Viking this is your chance to become one.
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