In the last four years, the Faroese metal band Týr has released three albums, all released in late May.  Whether that is a coincidence or not, what is true about the quartet is that they have managed to maintain a level of consistency that few have been able to match.  The third of those albums will now see the light of day, as The Lay of Thyrm is everything you expect of Týr, complete with a back story about King Thyrm, who dared to steal Thor’s hammer, “Mjolnir.”

Since the debut release How Far to Asgard, Týr has gone from playing an epic style of Viking metal to a faster paced style of Viking metal, as evidenced on the last two albums By the Light of the Northern Star and The Lay of Thyrm.  Whereas the former was the band trying to find its footing in the faster pace that they set on the album, it seems that on the latter, they have found a way to make it work while maintaining elements that have made their distinct sound.  The guitars play a more important role in the sound, as evidenced on songs such as “Fields of the Fallen” and “Flames of the Free.”  Heri Joensen’s vocals are still an integral part of the sound, and are as strong as ever on songs such as “Take Your Tyrant” and “Evening Star.”  Though Týr does have some progressive elements in their sound, they are diminished to a point where one would have to listen close to pick them out, and The Lay of the Thyrm is no exception.  There are also some traces of the Týr from the Eric the Red era, with “Konning Hans” and “Evening Star” being the best examples.  The title track is the best-rounded track on the album, as it displays all that Týr has to offer.  Detractors may say that the band needs to do something different to the sound, but when a formula is in place that works to great effect, there isn’t much need to mess with the chemistry.

Consistency can be considered boring by some, particularly when it comes to music.  At the same time, too much change can get people to scream bloody murder.  Týr has done a pretty good job of remaining consistent while working in a change to a faster sound, as evidenced by The Lay of Thyrm.  Not their best album, but with such a high standard, Týr keeps rising to the challenge no matter the circumstances.

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  Flames of the Free
2.  Shadow of the Swastika
3.  Take Your Tyrant
4.  Evening Star
5.  Hall of Freedom
6.  Fields of the Fallen
7.  Konning Hans
8.  Ellindur Bóndi á Jadri
9.  Nine Worlds of Lore
10.  The Lay of Thyrm

Total playing time:  45:58

Release Date: May 27, 2011
Label: Napalm Records

Týr - The Lay of Thrym

Reviewer: Peter

June 7, 2011