This is a very old review that I wrote back in early 2010. This was my first ever effort at writing a review and actually got me a few writing gigs in the months after!
From the first chords of ‘By The Light Of The Northern Star’, you know this is going to be a great album. The haunting, yet powerful intro to ‘Hold The Heathen Hammer High’ sets this album up perfectly and the chorus is a true sing-along that will make you want to raise your drinking horn and roar into the northern skies.
Taking a huge influence from traditional Scandinavian songs yet again, Tyr show they have what it takes to stand out from the rest of the Viking/folk metal bands that are around today. The a cappella intro to Faroese masterpiece ‘Turid Torkilsdóttir’ gives the listener a short break from the faster more sword wielding ‘Northern Gate’ and ‘By The Sword In My Hand’ (the latter having a chorus so epic and powerful that even the sceptics of Viking metal would find it hard not to grab a sword-like implement and wave it in the air).
The vocals of Heri Joensen are at their best throughout this album, with the use of group-style layering on some of the more epic choruses and a brutal singing voice, the vocals glide over the progressive grooves and catchy melodies of the guitars. The drums once again finish the ensemble off brilliantly.
Overall, I think this album has just about everything needed to be a masterpiece of modern metal. From the heavy start to a hard-riding finish (with the exception of the ‘epic’ of the album, ‘Turid Torkilsdóttir’) ‘By The Light Of The Northern Star’ is a must-hear for any metal or progressive fan out there.
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