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A solid album the blends serious and fun Folk Metal.-
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| Týr: The Lay of Thrym |
Folk Metal, Progressive Metal
Napalm Records
June 7th, 2011
- Flames of the Free - 4:17
- Shadow of the Swastika - 4:24
- Take Your Tyrant - 3:53
- Evening Star - 5:05
- Hall of Freedom - 4:07
- Fields of the Fallen - 4:59
- Konning Hans - 4:28
- Ellindur Bondi A Jadri - 3:55
- Nine Worlds of Lore - 4:04
- The Lay of Thrym - 6:48
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| Review Information |
Release length: 46:00
Review posted on June 14th, 2011
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| | Overall Score: 8.5/10 |
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| Discography |
Discography covers all information available up to day of review and is updated if future albums are reviewed. |
| Full-Length(s): |
How Far to Asgaard (2002) • Eric the Red (2003) • Ragnarok (2006) • Land (2008) • By the Light of the Northern Star (2009)
The Lay of Thrym (2011)
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| Split(s): |
Black Sails Over Europe (2009)
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| Single(s): |
Ólavur Riddararós (2002)
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| Demo(s): |
Demo (2000)
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| Review |
Týr is a Progressive Folk Metal band that formed back in 1998. As time went on, this rather traditional Folk Metal act with a Progressive twist continued to grow, and today has expanded away from conventional roots and incorporated more Progressive Metal ideas into the mix. But, before that change even began, the lore of Týr began to spread like wildfire, and the group has become a formidable force in the Folk Metal world for this day and age. The group has released five full-length recordings so far in their time together since (and including) their debut offering How Far to Asgaard, and continues to progress and grow with each new effort. This happens to be the case once more with the group's sixth studio full-length effort, The Lay of Thrym, a captivation Folk piece that's not afraid to push the traditional Progressive Metal sound into their Folk roots.
If you have heard a Týr album recently, you know what you're in for. The band's focus on a Progressive rhythm towards their Folk Metal themes and general compositions really works well for the band, and gives the music a richer feel of heritage and edge instead of just the first of those two options. There are plenty of catchy tracks on here, but the album isn't solely limited to songs that use the Folk atmosphere and rather upbeat catchiness, though these tracks are often the most enjoyable. The Lay of Thrym actually starts off in this manner with "Flames of the Free", which is a strongly rooted Folk Metal track that has that more upbeat feel to it, but there's also "Shadow of the Swastika", and while it has that faster upbeat vibe, the general atmosphere does seem a little more fun thanks to some of the responses in the lyrics and background vocalists random shouting "woo" in the background in support of the vocalist and lyrics, but the track becomes more of a "fuck you" song towards the obvious historical values, all mixed with a clear serious approach to the music's atmosphere. As you progress through the album, it tends to feel a little more out of place solely because of the manner in which it's handled and the lyrical content, but it's far from a bad thing, and it's actually one of the more memorable songs amongst an album full of strong material that leaves a positive impact on the listener.
The Lay of Thrym seems to battle a bit between that more upbeat sound, and a general serious atmosphere. Some tracks have a stronger serious tone, and others are the total opposite, and it all is distinguished right from the start of the album. But it's still pretty clear that Týr does still want to focus on a more down to earth sound then catchier material upon hearing the track "Evening Star". This heavy Folk ballad has a decent Progressive vibe, which is mostly due to the many changes in the music and odd drumming that occurs during some of these changes. However, for the most part, it's a slower paced track that has a good deal of emotion and power behind it, setting up a very somber, depressing atmosphere that connects the listener to the tale that is being sung about through the track, connecting to the character depicted from start to finish. But, this is really the only track to go so far as head into a more ballad approach. The rest of The Lay of Thyrm really follows the example laid out on "Flames fo the Free" and "Take Your Tyrant", though the songs are often not quite as energetic.
This isn't to say that the following tracks aren't catchy at all. The more serious sound sets in with the music, as if the band is getting down to business of telling their folk roots and not really playing around to have fun at this point. In many ways, this is a far better approach for Týr considering the solid tracks that do follow. "Evening Star" is a shining example, though more of an emotionally moving ballad then anything, but you also have tracks like "Fields of the Fallen" which feels a little more serious, but still has that Progressive catchiness to that pushes it on, feeling more like an anthem towards those who fell without actually crossing into that musical territory. On top of that, the song "Elindur Bondi A Jadri" has that serious vibe to it as well, but it's more from the use of the band's native tongue then English as far as the lyrics go, which is a nice touch to the song. However, aside the different musical approach "Evening Star" brings, it's not the only one for a dynamic twist like that, as "Nine Worlds of Lore" goes at a slower pace, though far from a ballad, and feels more like a traditional Folk track then anything else present on the recording. With it, the music does seem to be a little more epic in the performance, but only slightly impacting the song itself with it.
There's nothing to really sit back and complain about with The Lay of Thrym. Each track on here feels well done and, in my ways, comes off a solid combination of Progressive and Folk Metal styles. The only issue that can be felt about the music is that it in itself doesn't sound that rich. The music feels a little weak in the actual sound, and while it doesn't really seem like something to be bothered with and possibly from the production, the closing track "The Lay of Thrym" proves that this may not be the case. This song really feels a little richer, especially with the guitars. It also sound dramatically different from the rest, but that's for good reason due to the most intense sound that seems to take on the previous epic sound on a few of the previous tracks, but amps it up with speed and heavier music. But, the not-quite-rich music doesn't really hold the album back, so it's nothing to really look at negatively, though if the rest of the album had a stronger sound and presence like "The Lay of Thrym", then it definitely would have had a stronger affect on the listener.
But, in the end, The Lay of Thrym does it's job, and it does it well. Týr manage to put together another solid effort, even if the music doesn't quite feel rich at times. Many tracks offer different experiences, and even some varying atmospheres and attitudes, keeping the album from becoming repetitive. Whether it's the more "fuck you" sounding drinking song "Shadow of the Swastika", or the more serious and epic "The Lay of Thrym", fans of the Folk style will definitely get a kick out of what is offered on this release, and simply won't be disapointed.
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Digital review copy of this release provided by:
Napalm Records.
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