Rating: 9/10
Release: 31 May 2024
Label: Napalm Records

Following Týr’s latest effort, Battle Ballads, the band have hammered out another album. Their forthcoming compilation album collects the “best of” from the napalm years. Now those who have read one of this reviewer’s takes on compilation albums know there are two routes they can go. Either it can be a cash grab, or something special for fans involving content they know have been on demand for long. As for Týr, it isn’t the latter because these songs are well known, but it definitely isn’t the former because Týr is already at the top of the stage among the big names of Folk Metal. Arguably this album would be of the second category but rather a curated selection for new fans instead of existing ones. The tracks are all solid, and many of them have been staples live such as “Tróndur í Gøtu”, or classics such as “Hail to the Hammer” and “Hold the Heathen Hammer high”. There’s not much to say about these tracks, if you’re a Týr fan these are the band’s bread and butter, the songs you return to. For the uninitiated, there is a wide selection of catchy anthems, nordic melodies, and classics of the genre. Give it a listen when it comes out, it will not disappoint.

Tracklist

1. Hail to the Hammer (Land, 2008)
2. Regin Smidur (Eric The Reed, 2003)
3. Ramund Hin Unge (Eric The Reed, 2003)
4. Hold the Heathen Hammer High (By the lightning of the Northern Star, 2009)
5. By the Sword in my Hand (By the lightning of the Northern Star, 2009)
6. Tróndur í Gøtu (By the lightning of the Northern Star, 2009)
7. Northern Gate (By the lightning of the Northern Star, 2009)
8. The Wild Rover (Eric The Reed, 2003)
9. Ormimurin Langi (How Far to Asgaard, 2002)
10. Sinklars Visa (Land, 2008)
11. Ragnarok (Ragnarok, 2006)
12. Shadow of the Swastika (The Lay of Thrym, 2011
13. Evening Star (The Lay of Thrym, 2011)
14. Flames of the Free (The Lay of Thrym, 2011)