Sea Of Tranquility


The Web Source for Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal & Jazz-Fusion
  Search   in       
Main Menu




TYR: Eric the Red

TYR, who hail from the Faroe Islands, have recently signed with Napalm Records, who have re-released the band's 2003 release Eric the Red. Combining classy old school styles with Viking metal, Eric the Red is half sung in English, the other in their native tongue Faroese (a derivative of Old Norse), and contains plenty of catchy melodies, epic guitar hooks, huge choirs, and rock solid rhythms. There's a strong folk feel to many of the songs, although it's more a feel and not in the form of instrumentation. This is metal all the way folks, but extremely melodic, with plenty of blazing guitar solos and sing along choruses. Many of the songs are in the 5-7 minute length, which gives ample time for instrumental fireworks, atmospheric and symphonic passages, and pure headbanging fun. Songs like "The Edge", "Stýrisvølurin", and the title track sizzle with a "raise your pint and sing along" attitude, regardless of the language the tune is sung in.

Thanks to their deal with Napalm, now the world can hear the talents of this previously obscure band. Sophisticated and classy stuff-check it out.


Track Listing

  1. The Edge
  2. Regin Smiður
  3. Dreams
  4. The Wild Rover
  5. Stýrisvølurin
  6. Ólavur Riddararós
  7. Rainbow Warrior
  8. Ramund Hin Unge
  9. Alive
  10. Eric The Red
  11. God Of War
  12. Hail To The Hammer

Added: May 10th 2006
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Napalm Records
Hits: 4390
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend Send to a Friend ]

  

[ Back to the Reviews Index ]

» SoT Staff Roundtable Reviews:

TYR: Eric the Red
Posted by Ken Pierce, SoT Staff Writer on 2006-05-10 18:28:38
My Score:

Eric The Red by Tyr was originally released in 2003, and surprisingly enough the world at large would be unaware of what this band offered until Napalm Records signed them and re-issued the album. It's a treat for Metal fans that lean a little more toward the Folk Metal sound but this band in particular is labeled as being "Viking Metal". Yes, another musical genre has surfaced on us but it is truly in accordance to what you will hear on the release. The band hails from the Faroe Islands located outside of Norway and as a result the music shows a strong ethnic influence. As a matter of fact a good part of the album is sung in their native Faroese. Like most people I was new to the sounds that Tyr offered but I have to say that I really enjoyed the album more than I did not. There is a great level of musicianship displayed across the release and the songs are primarily foot stomping, fist raising rockers. Those who are enjoying the offerings of bands like Korpiklaani and Falkenbach will best be served by paying a little more attention to Tyr. These bands are also Napalm Records artists. Since Tyr is a Viking Metal band they are best enjoyed with horns filled to the top with ale or perhaps a highly raised sword. There is a lot of cool riffs here which make the records very interesting from statrt to finish. However there is a sad aspect in being a band like this especially if you become a fan and are located in the US. There is such a limited ability to tour on ones own and a band like Tyr needs to get on a solid bill with established heavies. Maybe Arch Enemy or perhaps Hypocrisy can do something; each one is interesting in their own right and would prove for a great and dynamic show. It's either that or be brought over with a couple of similar bands and tour as some sort of package deal. You readers can probably make something like this happen if you send enough emails to the proper record company tour press folks or websites.

The members of Tyr are Heri Joensen - Vocals & Guitar, Terji Skibenæs – Guitar, Gunnar H. Thomsen – Bass, and Kári Streymoy – Drums. I could not decide what was the absolute best from the release but did rate this on the higher side since it was so impressive and took me by surprise. Songs like "God Of War" and "the Wild Rover" are really good, but there is also a large level of appeal in some of the Faroese numbers, my favorite of them being "Regin Smidur". If you are one of those who enjoy Folk Metal please be sure to give these guys some of your time, their website has samples and some video. "Gott kvøld"



© 2004 Sea Of Tranquility		For information regarding where to send CD promos and advertising, please see our FAQ page.
If you have questions or comments, please Contact Us.
Please see our Policies Page for Site Usage, Privacy, and Copyright Policies.

All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner. The comments are property of their posters, all other content © Sea of Tranquility

SoT is Hosted by SpeedSoft.com