Photo by Gaui H.For their ninth full-length studio release, Battle Ballads (Metal Blade), Faroe Islanders Týr bring more of their brand of Viking themed folk metal to the banqueting hall but this time come armed with an orchestra. Sort of.

Although their initial idea was to record the album with a full, live orchestra, scheduling conflicts were to prove impossible so the band opted for a different strategy instead. After their work was finished in the studio, Danish colleague Lars Winther was asked to add the required orchestral samples, the band then sending these recordings to producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe) to construct the record’s epic final mix.

Opener “Hammered” begins appropriately enough with the sounds of a blacksmith’s anvil, quickly developing into a stunning opener boasting chunky riffs and a sweeping cinematic score while frontman Heri Joensen switches between clean and harsh vocals. There’s a touch of Helloween to the uptempo and boisterous “Unwandered Ways”, the orchestrations kept mostly in the background this time to let Joenson and new axe partner Hans Hammer strut their six string stuff.

The irresistible “Dragons Never Die” keeps the momentum going with its effervescent Celtic melodies while the insistent riff of “Row” sounds like a Viking “Children of the Grave” before expanding into more melodic territories. A slow, traditional ballad that increases momentum and sense of drama as it goes along, “Torkils Døtur” (translated to Torkil’s Daughters), gives way to “Vælkomnir Føroyingar” (Welcome Faroese), a traditional Faroese song updated and given a modern, more powerful edge.

The slow crawl of “Hangman” is soon brushed aside by the war horn intro of “Axes”; a fast paced, blood soaked Viking battle anthem which puts the rhythm section of bassist Gunnar Helmer “Gunz” Thomsen and drummer Tadeusz “Tad” Rieckmann through their paces before the record climaxes with the rousing “Battle Ballad” and the forceful dominance of “Causa Latronum Normannorum” (The Cause of the Norman Robbers).

With initial recordings sent from the Faroes to England, then on to Denmark before eventually heading back to the islands, there might have been a risk to the cohesion of the final product but the results here are seamless. Each classical instrument, whether woodwind, strings or horns, complements the heavier, metallic side to the band perfectly. In mood, volume, and tempo, Battle Ballads hits all the right frequencies. Just like the Vikings of old discovered all those centuries ago, the journey might be arduous but the rewards are great.

Buy the album here:
https://www.metalblade.com/tyr/

8 / 10
GARY ALCOCK