13 Great Songs About Death

13. Manowar - Sleipnir

Give credit where it's due, the Scandinavians know how to go about death. The 2007 concept album from über metal band Manowar - entitled Gods of War - documents various stories from Norse mythology, or more specifically, the Norse God of War: Odin. The album itself is regarded as an experiment, incorporating more symphonic metal influences, but that's not what's important - you're here for all the death.

'Sleipnir' starts off with a spoken word biography of the song's namesake, Odin's trusted eight-legged steed. Detailing Sleipnir's position in the mythology of carrying Odin to help lead those that have fallen in battle to the gates of Valhalla, the main part of the song begins with Scott Columbus' thunderous drum hits, shifting from a general narrative to a more first-hand perspective of a warrior in battle.

Though slightly inaccurate in the grand scheme of things (fallen warriors are typically led by a number of Valkyries), the journey from the battlefield to Asgard's Valhalla via the Rainbow Bridge was the dream for every battle-hardy viking, which would lead to fighting alongside Odin at Ragnarok.

The focus on Odin's personal steed offers a small taste into the expansive and often perplexing Norse mythology.