Tyr | ‘By The Light Of The Northern Star’

There’s something about Tyr I find a bit plodding, which is a shame given that they’re top guys who are devoted to what they do. All the same, it wouldn’t be unfiar to call them a little trying on one’s patience occasionally. Every song rams its point home and slightly outstays its welcome. Their last album, ‘Land’, was particularly bad at this. Coupled with a slightly twee and sing-songish delivery, it grated.

So it’s great to report that ‘By The Light Of The Northern Star’ betters it somewhat. Opener ‘Hold The Heathen Hammer High’ is a genuine Viking metal belter: a call to arms, memorable after the first spin, and destined to be the anthem for many a night’s continental drinking under the stars at whatever festival they happen to be gracing. No wonder it’s placed first on this album, given that it’s a high watermark of its style.

Improvements are evident elsewhere as well. Check out ‘Into The Storm’, which has some great vocal harmonies the like of which they’ve been polishing for some time. ‘Northern Gate’ follows it up with some chugging movement that’s all the more interesting for some nice chordal choices. Again, something that Tyr have worked on over the years, and which is now coming to fruition.

Viking Metal can be a very hit and miss affair. In writing metal that’s designed for a knees up, it’s all too easy to go tits up, forgetting about depth and repeat spinning. Tyr suffered before in going too much for the latter. With the injection of a little speed and conciseness, they’ve done their music a world of good. Their meld of native Faroe Island mythology, Skandic and Celtic is at least relatively unique. Granted they’ve a long way to go before setting any worlds on fire, but at the very least this is a marked improvement on the past and deserves recognised as such.

3.3 / 5 Ciaran Tracey ::: 07/06/09