THE AMON AMARTH VIKING BEARD CONTEST: GROW A GNARLY BEARD, WIN AN AMON AMARTH PRIZE PACK!

[UPDATE, Jan 5: New entry instructions for females! Read here.]

We are thrilled to present one of the most fun contests in our short history. Grow a beard, win a bunch of Amon Amarth shit. Interested? Read on.

Reader Jordan Wean actually suggested this idea to us back in November, and we loved it so much we knew we just had to do it. The only question was, “With whom?” And since the beard of Amon Amarth’s Johan Hegg has few rivals, when Amon Amarth announced they’d be releasing their new album Surtur Rising on March 29th, 2011 we knew we’d found the perfect band, so we approached them about the idea and voila, contest!

Females, fret not: this contest is open to you, too! Read on.

The rules:

Step 1) Send us a completely clean-shaven picture of yourself NOW — before Tuesday, January 11th at 11:59pm EST — holding up a sign that says “MetalSucks” and the date. Send all entries to news [at] metalsucks [dot] net with the subject AMON AMARTH VIKING BEARD CONTEST.

Step 2) Grow a beard.

Step 3) On March 29th, the day Surtur Rising comes out, send us a new picture of yourself… same deal: hold up a sign with “MetalSucks” and the date, only this time you’ll also need to write a secret passcode on your sign that will be revealed on MetalSucks on March 29th.

FEMALE RULES: The same as above, but a little more X-rated! Yes, we’re completely serious, and no, we don’t mean your armpits. You can black out / blur out certain parts if you’re so inclined… or not. You must be 18 year of age or older to enter. but for your armpits or leg hair! We’ll be choosing one male winner and one female winner, both with an identical prize pack, so the playing field is equal for everyone.

The prize:

– a lock from Johan Hegg’s beard!
– the “super duper fan edition” of Surtur Rising, of which only a very small limited number will be made.
– a drumhead signed by the whole band
– a Metal Blade Records t-shirt and lanyard
– a MetalSucks t-shirt in the design and size of your choosing

Once we’ve received all the entries during the week of March 29th (Deadline for picture #2: Monday, April 4th, 11:59pm EST), Johan himself will go through all the entries and select a winner. There are no set parameters by which you need to grow your beard — viking style, Abe Lincoln, Rollie Fingers stache, Fu Manchu, or just plain ol’ au naturale… it’s all good by us! Bigger isn’t necessarily better… it’s the motion of the ocean!

Now, get to growing those beards. You’ve got 3 months!