The RMR crew just learned something new about the Faroes. In 2021, some two years after Týr‘s Hel hit our shores, archaeologists established that settlers arrived at the islands way before the Vikings did. That must have shocked the entrenched descendants of the Norse on those isles and the axe-wielding metallists of the Viking Metal fan crowd. It looks like present-day island dwellers’ mighty ancestors didn’t step on virgin lands. Sheep and some folk were there before them.
As the lore goes, some acolytes of the nailed god allegedly usurped the spot way before the first longships appeared. I reckon they later suffered the usual Viking treatment and were unceremoniously ‘displaced’, as the researchers so succinctly put it.1 Thus, there may be a reason for the finding that the native women on the islands predominantly sport Gaelic DNA, whereas the males seem to prefer the Norse kind. But then, this might just be my evil twin whispering in my ear again.
In this light, the bellicose theme of the band’s newest full-length – Battle Ballads – truly fits into that historical context. After all, the old Danes and Norse were warlike folk. Shock and awe in the Dark Ages. Honi soit qui mal y pense!2 Right?
After some four years of wait, Týr are finally back with the band around Heri Joensen in full form. The word ‘ballads’ in the title filled me with some dread at first, though. Visions of sweetish slow-motion tracks and nothing else. Joensen playing the harp, with his buddies in black and white suits delivering a classically tainted choral performance. Thor help us, or should we call on Loki directly? And now I cannot unsee it anymore in my mind.
But fear naught, no such thing ever happened. Týr are still feisty to a point and lustily chant like the best of them. Battle Ballads still contains that trademark sound of Melodic and Heavy Metal, fueled by pseudo-folk elements and local Viking lore. And this truly powerful style worked beautifully since the band’s inception in 1998. But something seems amiss nonetheless.
Hel sported that rough-hewn rumbling metal, high on heavy chugs, and otherworldly group chanting. A gritty record fashioned by manly men from far away wind-swept islands, steeped in local lore and olde gods. But it was also proof of a band in its prime, with Joensen powering ahead full steam and having fun doing it. A varied album, full of little nuggets that surprised us at every turn of the tracklist. In contrast, Battle Ballads lost some of the band’s former luster and seriously veered into the middle of this broad river where the mainstream dwells. The record ain’t bad, though. I guess, the exuberant youthful energy lost itself in the tunnels of time and the band moved to higher ground.
So, somewhat unsurprisingly, the tracklist turned into a mixed bag of sorts. Most of the songs are okay to good – but none of them will really ring the bell on the High Striker. Hammered – the first song – truly sounds like some down-home Týr fare, no contest. Whereas Unwandered Ways lustily gallops forth in a true mix of Power and Heavy Metal drunk on Hansi Kürsch-ish3 belted vocals. Hangman and the meaty Axes – as a close second – powerfully deliver that oldish fare Týr became famous for. Yet, only Torkils Døtur with its seriously curtailed lyrics, subtle symphonics, and neat progression would faintly qualify as a ballad. And the RMR crew took some liking to that track. The other tracks landed on the low end of the rating scale with Vælkomnir Føroyingar and Causa Latronum Normannorum taking the brunt of the wrath.
Unfortunately, Battle Ballads didn’t quite ascend to the lofty praise Hel was able to garner over here. The record sounds like a bunch of songs that somehow grew some legs over the last four years. In search of a disk, so that this motley selection can finally be published. And that’s a pity because this band can do much better than that. Let’s just hope that their next installment won’t prove us wrong.
Ed’s note: Didn’t think the above clip cut it? If so, try this instead.
Record Rating: 6/10 | Label: Metal Fucking Blade | Web: Official Band Site
Release Date: 12 April 2024