The Swedish band started as a grindcore band called Scum (27) in 1989. Formed by members Themgoroth (vocals), Olavi Mikkonen (guitar), and Ted Lundstrom (bass). Themgoroth eventually left the band and was replaced by Johan Hegg, which also led to a musical shift towards Death/Viking Metal. Anders Hansson (guitar) and Nico Mehra (drums) joined the band, and they eventually changed their name to Amon Amarth in 1992. The band's name is taken from Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and means the mighty mountain of doom.