Sig:Ar:Tyr - Godsaga

Release Date: May 3, 2010
Label: Morbid Winter Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Nights All Nine
2.  Midwinter Sacrifice
3.  Blood of the North
4.  Black Sun’s Bane
5.  Eternal Return
6.  Sleep of the Sword
7.  Sonatorrek
8.  Godsaga
9.  Distant Northern Shore

Total playing time: 56:09

November 10, 2010

Reviewer: Peter

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*Comments:

The Viking metal scene has seen its share of bands perfecting that style of music, and one of those bands that can be mentioned as one of the very best is Falkenbach.  While the band hasn’t been active for a few years, their impact can be felt on quite a few bands.  One of those bands is Sig:Ar:Tyr.  Like Falkenbach, the one man project from Canada plays Viking metal that conjures up stories from years past.  Sig:Ar:Tyr’s latest album Godsaga is the third album, and it shows the willingness to liven things up a little without sacrificing too much in its sound.

The album begins with “Nights All Nine,” which is an acoustic intro that features some soothing vocals.  “Midwinter Sacrifice” is more of a mid-paced Viking/black metal offering that isn’t too strong on the vocals and also offers some melody to create a cold, dark feel to the song.  One of the strongest tracks on the album is “Black Sun’s Bane,” which is a five minute acoustic interlude (with a guitar solo that fits within the song’s structure) that could easily be mistaken for a straight European folk song.  In fact, the acoustic parts of the album are the strongest on the album that has much going for it.  The two longest tracks on the album, “Eternal Return” and “Godsaga,” is Sig:Ar:Tyr combining the two halves of their sound (acoustic folk and Viking/black metal) to create some of the more fascinating songs on the album, both of which do so without having to get too aggressive in its sound or its vocals.  The slow pace of the album may not be suitable for all people, especially those who have little patience, but those who can appreciate a song with a well thought-out plan and the commitment to carry it out as planned should look to Godsaga for an example of how to make a great album.

The beginnings of Sig:Ar:Tyr that can be heard on Sailing the Seas of Fate manifest itself into a more complete sound that is heard on Godsaga.  The project has always had solid acoustic sounds, but that is more evident on the most recent album.  Now, the metal part of the equation is starting to catch up, which means Sig:Ar:Tyr is just now reaching its potential.  Godsaga is the band’s best effort yet, and it could very well be eclipsed on the next album.