Best of 2009: TYR- By the Light of the Northern Star

While the Viking/Pagan movement in metal is alive and well, TYR is one band that has gone under most listeners radars. Hailing from the Faroe Islands, located between Iceland and Norway, the area is rich in Viking culture and this band really embraces this through their music. One thing that separates TYR from the pack of other Viking-related bands is there used of purely clean vocals. Heri Joensen has a one-of-a-kind, powerful voice, singing in both English and Faroese (Thankfully there is a decent translation with the booklet). With clean vocals, the band does a really great job creating some catchy choruses and vocal parts, like the spiraling chorus of “Hold the Heathen Hammer High” and chanting group vocals of “Northern Gate” and “Tróndur Í Gøtu”. While the vocals really standout, the guitar work on this album is excellent. While the guitars follow the vocals quite closely at most times, they create very catchy hooks and melodies, and the solos on “Hear the Heathen Call”, “Into the Storm”, and “Turið Torkilsdóttir” are absolutely epic, and stand out among the best of TYR’s works. While this genre has its titans, TYR is a refreshing and solid addition to the hoards of pillaging, mead drinking metal-heads. With one listen to By the Light of the Northern Star, you’ll hear why.

-Chris