Published: July 9, 2026
The Swedish metal band introduce “Upphaf” as an acoustic step before their next studio album, with production by Jacob Hansen and a video directed by Pavel Trebukhin
Amon Amarth have released “Upphaf”, the band’s first-ever acoustic song, through Metal Blade Records. The single is accompanied by an official video directed by Pavel Trebukhin.
“Upphaf” was produced by Jacob Hansen and is presented as a quieter moment before the band’s next studio album. The title, sound and visual direction place the song within Amon Amarth’s long-running connection to Norse themes, while approaching that world through an acoustic arrangement rather than the band’s usual full-force metal framework.
Rockum previously documented the band’s recent activity in AMON AMARTH Unleash We Rule the Waves Single and Video as US Tour with PANTERA Begins. Rockum’s archive also includes the earlier report Amon Amarth Return with Twilight of the Thunder God, Expanding Their Sound and Viking Legacy.
“Upphaf” marks a different songwriting approach for Amon Amarth. The source material describes the song as an acoustic composition built around a more stripped-back atmosphere, with melodies and choral elements connected to the feeling of an oral history or gathering-space performance.
Rather than presenting the song as a standard heavy single, the announcement frames “Upphaf” as a transitional piece before the band’s next studio album. The source material does not yet provide the title, release date, tracklist or format details for that upcoming album.
The official video for “Upphaf” was directed by Pavel Trebukhin.
“Upphaf” was produced by Jacob Hansen.
Amon Amarth formed in 1992 in Tumba, Sweden. The band’s recorded, lyrical and live identity has long been connected to Norse history, mythology and Viking imagery.
The source material notes that Amon Amarth have performed globally and shared stages with acts including Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, Foo Fighters and Pantera. It also references major headline performances at The Forum in Los Angeles and Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver.
In Europe, the band have headlined major festivals including Wacken, Bloodstock and Summer Breeze. The source material states that Amon Amarth performed at Wacken 2024 for an audience of 85,000 people.
The announcement also references the band’s chart history, including Jomsviking, Berserker and The Great Heathen Army. According to the source material, The Great Heathen Army topped the US Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart and the Canadian Billboard Top Current Albums chart, and earned a Swedish Grammy nomination for hard rock/metal album of the year.
The source material also documents The Row, the audience tradition associated with Amon Amarth concerts, where fans sit on the ground and move in unison as if rowing a longship.
The announcement connects that tradition to the band’s live culture and references the 2022 single and video “Put Your Back Into The Oar.”
LIVE DATES
Amon Amarth have listed the following UK and European dates.
UK DATES
October 9, 2026 — Manchester, England — O2 Apollo
October 10, 2026 — London, England — Eventim Apollo
October 11, 2026 — Wolverhampton, England — Civic Hall
EUROPEAN DATES
October 13, 2026 — Paris, France — Zenith
October 14, 2026 — Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg — Rockhal
October 16, 2026 — Stuttgart, Germany — Schleyer-Halle
October 17, 2026 — Frankfurt, Germany — Festhalle
October 18, 2026 — Antwerp, Belgium — Lotto Hall
October 20, 2026 — Den Bosch, Netherlands — Mainstage
October 21, 2026 — Hamburg, Germany — Sporthalle
October 23, 2026 — Gothenburg, Sweden — Scandinavium
October 24, 2026 — Stockholm, Sweden — Hovet
October 26, 2026 — Helsinki, Finland — Ice Hall
October 27, 2026 — Tallinn, Estonia — Unibet Arena
October 29, 2026 — Gliwice, Poland — PreZero Arena Gliwice
October 30, 2026 — Leipzig, Germany — Quarterback Immobilien Arena
October 31, 2026 — Oberhausen, Germany — Rudolf Weber Arena
November 2, 2026 — Budapest, Hungary — Barba Negra
November 3, 2026 — Vienna, Austria — Gasometer
November 4, 2026 — Bamberg, Germany — Brose Arena
November 6, 2026 — Prague, Czech Republic — O2 Universum
November 7, 2026 — Berlin, Germany — Velodrom
November 8, 2026 — Munich, Germany — Zenith
November 10, 2026 — Milan, Italy — Alcatraz
November 11, 2026 — Zurich, Switzerland — The Hall
November 13, 2026 — Barcelona, Spain — Sant Jordi Club
November 14, 2026 — Madrid, Spain — Vistalegre
November 15, 2026 — Lisbon, Portugal — Sala Tejo
LINEUP
Johan Hegg — vocals
Olavi Mikkonen — guitar
Johan Söderberg — guitar
Ted Lundström — bass
Jocke Wallgren — drums
Through “Upphaf,” Amon Amarth introduce a different side of their songwriting while keeping the Norse identity that has shaped their catalog and live presentation for decades. The acoustic song and video arrive before the band’s next studio album, while the listed 2026 UK and European dates place the new material within another major touring cycle for the Swedish metal band.
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
Watch the official video for “Upphaf” below.
