Album Review: Týr – Battle Ballads (Metal Blade Records)

‘Battle Ballads’ is the brand-new album from acclaimed Viking metal band Týr. The follow-up to the band’s 2019’s powerful progressive folk-metal album Hel, it will be released on April 12th, 2024, via Metal Blade Records.

Battle Ballads might come as something of a surprise to long time Týr fans, provided the team up with the Symphony Orchestra of the Faroe Islands in 2020 that resulted in the double-disc/DVD release ‘A Night at the Nordic House’, is ignored. A surprise because the group have moved away from their progressive folk sound, and have crafted an album with big orchestral arrangements throughout.

An album of epic, hair-raising, and fist-pumping metal ‘ballads’, which is as fun as it sounds. Even if it does lack a bit of what made Týr so special. Once you’re comfortable with this fact, you can really enjoy Battle Ballads for exactly what it is, a top-shelf Viking metal album filled with catchy anthems. Something Týr are exceptionally adept at, dropping energised singalong banger after banger with Hammered, Unwandered Ways, and Dragons Never Die.

Sure, there’s nothing exceptional here, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t an absolute blast, because it really bloody is. Also, it’s not like Týr didn’t deliver anthemic music before. Although this might not be as ‘structurally’ diverse as we’re used to, it doesn’t mean Týr are lacking in unique Viking metal moments.

Row is a mighty example of this, and it will surely blow up in the live environment, especially with the current trend of crowds hitting the floor and ‘rowing’. Hell, at least here, it will make sense (no judgement, you do you). Then there is Torkils Døtur, a lighter melody-driven effort that has grand orchestral sounds in the backend of the track, and features some phenomenal vocals. Before Vælkomnir Føroyingar brings the energy back up with a thrilling folk-infused epic that fills the heart with warm feelings.

Those tracks there are the best examples of why it’s impossible to not like this album. Týr clearly had a blast creating this, and it comes though strongly. It puts a big smile on the face, and that smile stays as Hangman, Axes, and the title track bring forth varying showcases of hearty horn-throwing and head-banging metal anthems. As stated already, nothing ground-breaking, but to much fun to not enjoy thoroughly.

Which does mean there’s a sense of sadness that it comes to a close with Causa Latronum Normannorum. Although it’s hard to be too emotional in the face of such a hefty piece of folk-infused grandeur. An ending that matches Týr’s ambition, featuring big guitar melodies, immense bass thrums, epic vocals, and wistful harmonies. A very likeable finish to a very likeable album.

Týr – Battle Ballads Track Listing:

1. Hammered
2. Unwandered Ways
3. Dragons Never Die
4. Row
5. Torkils Døtur
6. Vælkomnir Føroyingar
7. Hangman
8. Axes
9. Battle Ballad
10. Causa Latronum Normannorum

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