Faroese folk metal band Tyr showcase the best of their catalogue with Best Of – The Napalm Years, gathering some of their most iconic tracks between 2006-2011 into one album you don’t want to miss!
Opening with the melancholic Hail To The Hammer, it’s powerful beginning and sure to attract the attention of anyone who’s introduction to the band this is. Going back to 2003, we hear both Reign Smidur and Ramund Hin Unge, more melodic and their native language being the forefront takes you back to the roots of the band and their medieval inspirations.
There’s an immediate increase in tempo and heavier riffs during Hold The Heathen Hammer High as the album really gets going with some of the more modern material. By The Sword In My Hand contains storming drums that drive the music forward, alongside one of the catchiest choruses of the compilation. Trondur I Gotu are sure to get you headbanging, striding tall and proud in true viking fashion, emphasised by the acapella segments. Northern Gate continuing in a similar fashion, really displaying the storytelling elements of the band.
Halfway through the album, we make another u-turn back into the early years of Tyr, another track from the Eric The Reed album, The Wild Rover tackles more of the typical folk topics with a more simple approach, just good old metal music. The oldest song on the album, Ormurin Langi (2002) slows the album right back down, a beautiful melody partnered with strong vocals, it really paints an image for the listener.
Sinklars Visa is unusual with a lack of instruments in the first and last minute but it works so well, a powerful metal ballad. Ragnarok is where we see the return of the acoustic style guitar creating the haunting style that encompasses the band. Shadow Of The Swastika brings electric solos to an important message of history while Evening Star has a Metallica-esq with low and slow guitars taking center stage yet again.
Drawing to a close with Flames Of The Free, the energy is once high again, with flying solos and pounding drums, a sharp contrast to how it opened!
Overall, a fantastic display of a band with a distinctive sound, great for new and old fans alike!
TRACKLIST:
- Hail to the Hammer (Land, 2008)
- Regin Smidur (Eric The Reed, 2003)
- Ramund Hin Unge (Eric The Reed, 2003)
- Hold the Heathen Hammer High (By the lightning of the Northern Star, 2009)
- By the Sword in my Hand (By the lightning of the Northern Star, 2009)
- Tróndur í Gøtu (By the lightning of the Northern Star, 2009)
- Northern Gate (By the lightning of the Northern Star, 2009)
- The Wild Rover (Eric The Reed, 2003)
- Ormimurin Langi (How Far to Asgaard, 2002)
- Sinklars Visa (Land, 2008)
- Ragnarok (Ragnarok, 2006)
- Shadow of the Swastika (The Lay of Thrym, 2011
- Evening Star (The Lay of Thrym, 2011)
- Flames of the Free (The Lay of Thrym, 2011)
TÝR: Facebook
Release Year: 2024
Label: Napalm Records
Category: Album
Country: Sweden
Reviewed by Jodie Louise
