Taking its name from the one-armed god of war in Norse mythology, Norway's Tyr embraces Viking metal — but in a way that sets this gang-singing quartet apart from many of its warrior peers. Seeking to enlighten as much as entertain, Land (Tyr's third album) offers a combination of English and traditional Faroese lyrics. The folk-like opener "Gandkvaedi Tróndar," for example, is a poem about a Faroese chieftain who fought for independence. Who cares if non-Faroese-speaking headbangers can't understand it?
Land is punctuated by the 10-minute "Brennivín" and the searing 16-minute title track — one of three English titles on this 10-song disc. But not every one of them is a gung-ho tune ideal for hoisting a glass of cold, frothy brew and then chugging it. "Valkyrjan" mellows listeners with simple but appealing keyboard and acoustic guitar structures, while "Sinklars Vísa" — a traditional Norwegian song based on the true story of Scottish mercenaries killed when trying to disturb the peace in Norway — boasts an arresting a cappella intro that will blow your mind. When was the last time a Viking-metal band did that?
Track Listing:
1) Gandkvaedi Tróndar
2) Sinklars Vísa
3) Ocean
4) Gátu Ríma
5) Brennivín
6) Fípan Fagra
7) Valkyrjan
8) Lokka Táttur
9) Land
10) Hail to the Hammer
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