Rating: 10/10
Release: 27-5-2011
Label: Napalm Records

Ask me who has the best folk-metal appearance of all folk-metal artists, and I will answer immediately Heri Joenson, he’s just a cool Viking telling us metalheads of the modern ages how it was back in those days. A man with an unique voice who demits every not heather at Odins feet. I’m listening to this band for years now, and this was one of the five bands which got me into this genre. At that time Týr was a very special band, with an very unique sound, and now, a year of 4 of 5 later, nothing has changed. Týr remains Týr, that’s clear.
But something has changed over the years, their sound has grown, has ripened and is more mature, which shows Týr is even better, then they were before. The lyrics are in English and in Faeroe. But what catches you the most are the many fast guitar-riffs which are the red thread throughout their music. In 2009 I was very glad they came up with a new album, but when it was released, I was a little disappointed. I just knew these Vikings could do better than that, and they proved this with this album. Enough small-talk: The lay of Thrym.

The first song, the first note, and you get this nice Týr-feeling at once. Flames of the Free sounds like you like Týr to sound. A delicious first track, which lays down a nice foundation for the rest of the album. This song ends with a nice piece of guitar which can only be written at the Faeroe Islands. The next track Shadow of the Swastika, reminds me of the track Ride of their previous album, a for Týr cheerful song, the idea remains, but the song itself is totally different. A very new merry song, but when you listen to the lyrics it’s not as cheerful as the instruments let you think. Take your Tyrant is a song which could be heard at the Austrian Metal Alliance Vol.1 album, a promo by a lot of Napalm Records and NoiseArt bands, which we got at Paganfest. The previous song were nice and fast ones, is Evening Star isn’t at all, a nice and quiet song, where you want to light your lighter and move along. After this the best track of the album, in my opinion, Hall of Freedom. What can I say, it written in this nice Týr style, fast, to the point and with Heri’s mighty voice. Fields of the Fallen is a somewhat different track, more like the old heavy metal. King Hans, well, despite the fact Hans isn’t the most impressive name for a king, these guys know how to let is sound fierce with their proud sound. The rest of the CD has this well known Týr sound as well, until the last note of the last song, which is the tittle-track “The lay of Thrym” you’re listening fascinated to this modern Vikings.

Yes, I’m right, for sure, they could do better than “By the Light of the Northern Star”, so much is proved now. Striking is the come-back of all kinds of nice guitar-sounds which could be heard at the previous album except for The Northern Star. I’m very happy with this. In my opinion the best album the guys have ever made. The only thing, but this is personal, in my opinion they may write more in Faeroe.

Dear Folk-metal fan, this CD had to be in your CD-rack!

Tracklist

1. Flames Of The Free 4:17
2. Shadow Of The Swastika 4:23
3. Take Your Tyrant 3:53
4. Evening Star 5:04
5. Hall Of Freedom 4:06
6. Fields Of The Fallen 4:58
7. Konning Hans 4:27 MP3
8. Ellindur Bóndi Á Jadri 3:55
9. Nine Worlds Of Lore 4:04
10. The Lay Of Thrym 6:48