Never have I listened to a band that made me want to learn about more about mythology, the band’s country of origin, their heritage, and their language all in one sitting. If you’re a Týr fan, you’ve most certainly been down this rabbit hole every album cycle – I can’t count how many times I’ve spent my spare time doing endless Google searches learning about mythology and Vikings as well as reading and reciting Faroese lyrics while getting lost in the beauty of their music; it’s like getting high without doing drugs.
It is the fact that their music includes all of these things which makes it rich and authentic compared to many bands in Viking Metal, and after a very long and anticipated wait, the Faroese Viking heroes descend from Valhalla to bless us with their eighth full-length album Hel (Metal Blade Records), an album that also marks the farewell outing of long-time guitarist Terji Skibenæs who contributed to the album’s recording but departed shortly before the album’s release.
Known for their melodic, progressive Heavy Metal style, over recent albums Týr has been trying to make their sound faster and heavier. This was not fully achieved with their last album, but with the help of Tadeusz Rieckmann and Attila Vörös on guitars, this has been accomplished flawlessly this time around. Along with heavier compositions, we are also introduced to different vocal ranges including heavier growls as noted in the opener ‘Gates of Hel.’ With their new sound solidified, Týr now has an opportunity to broaden their audience and attract fans of Viking Metal who felt that their previous work was either too steady for their taste.
What I love about Hel is that, although it is introducing us to an improved, heavier sound, it does not stray too from its melodic roots. Singing and chanting which mimic Vikings before entering battle is what makes their sound stand out even more along with their technical compositions: their melodies are often derived from old Scandinavian folk songs. Not to mention, their native tongue is the closest to what the Vikings actually spoke. This makes their Faroese songs a hidden treasure in the genre of Viking Metal.
The concept centers on the underworld in Norse Mythology. On the fourth track of the album, Týr pays homage to the blood-soaked wolf-like creature named ‘Garmr’, watcher of the underworld with an epic, hair-raising ballad by the same name. The tale of the loyal hellhound who watches the gates makes him appear more heroic in song in contrast to how terrifying he is depicted in the sagas.
Amongst my favorites tracks are ‘Ragnars Kvæði’ and ‘Álvur Kongar,’ the two Faroese songs within the entire album, while the more up-tempo songs, ‘All Heroes Fall,’ ‘Far From the Worries of the World,’ and ‘Fire and Flame’ really deliver, and another of my favorite tracks is the bone-crushing ‘King Of Time’, where the drumming stands out. ‘The Empire North’ gets an honorable mention as it is possibly one of the heaviest tracks on the entire album. Although the album marks a new era for the band, they still have more room to grow.
I feel that the eagerness to change their sound and sing more songs in English is largely due to the fact that most Metalheads enjoy Viking Metal in English; they would rather listen to something that they can easily sing along to. This is also where I feel like Týr has an edge over other bands in the genre by singing in Faroese because the listeners get something authentic. In the future, I would love to see more Faroese songs on the track listing; maybe even a full-length featuring entirely Faroese songs. If Týr did such an album, I feel it would top their 2006 record, Ragnarok.
In closing, Hel is definitely worth the listen because it notes the evolution of the band. It successfully reinvents their sound without straying away from their roots. It also indicates greatness to come.
8 / 10
KIM GILL