TÝR – By the Light of the Northern Star

Releasedate: 29-05-2009; Label: Napalm Records
By: Elvira Visser

After the release of the “Land” album in 2008 and a year full of touring, the band from the Faeroe Islands already present their fans with a new CD called “By the Light of the Northern Star”. On this album you will again hear their distinctive trademark that set their sound apart from most other Viking metal bands, which is the use of authentic melodies and hymns in their music. Traditional music dating back to the Vikings.

On “By the Light of the Northern Star” you can find new tracks that contain catchy yet technically brilliant parts, with great guitar solos and the clean vocals from Heri Joensen. The album starts with “Hold the Heathen Hammer High” that is definitely a smashing track, it has a nice tempo and is very catchy. Great track to start with. Another track that stands out is “Turid Torkilsdóttir, where you can hear some vocal harmonies in their native language. After the middle there is a great guitar solo. One of the most catchiest tracks is Northern Gate, which will be a great track live as the audience can shout along and this track has a rapid double bass. The most catchiest one is “By The Sword in my Hand” which sound a bit more to what we have heard on their “Land” CD. What I like besides the catchy-ness is the part at the ending. The track works slowly to some sort of climax, but in a delicate way which fits the track. I have to admit that this CD has more drum power then for example their album “Land”, and also the guitars really have their moments to shine. The last track “By the Light of the Northern Star” has a nice metal intro and the bands gives the fans all they want in this track, only missing some traditional native lyrics. The nice hymns are there, sang on a nice tempo let by the furious drums to finish it with some impressive guitar solos. I like the faster and more present drums on this album as well as the guitar solos. There could have been more Faroese or Norwegian lyrics to my personal liking (although it is easier to sing along like this), but they did released a very good album quite short after their previous release.

Links:
TÝR MySpace
TÝR Official