Epic Doom/Viking Metal album “Eric the Red” from Týr for first time on vinyl! Tyr’s second album is an impressive offering of powerful and catchy progressive metal that manages to capture all the viking fun of their contemporaries while stopping short of relying on it as a gimmick. This music stands on its own as beautiful, masterfully-constructed metal that incorporates a perfect mix of different styles to keep it interesting. Though some people will probably find this album too full of epic chants and other stereotypically “viking” themes to give it a chance, we recommend giving this album at least a few listens before dismissing it as “just another folk metal album”. Though much focus is placed on the gorgeous melodies and harmonies of “Eric the Red”, there is no doubt this is quite a heavy album. The crunchy rhythm guitar combined with the huge drum sound on almost every track, will give plenty for headbangers to love. As mentioned before, “Eric the Red” emphasizes harmony and melody more than anything else, with the beautiful guitar work and Heri’s outstanding vocals demanding the most attention from the listener. The lead guitar on this album is incredibly impressive, with a huge variation of style and complexity. We cannot praise Heri’s vocals enough on this album. He is pitch-perfect on every track, and gives each song an undeniable presence with his massive voice. The choruses provided by the rest of the band kick ass too, giving songs the feeling they are being performed to a huge crowd in a drunken beer hall. “Eric the Red” feels like a group effort in every way, with each musician complimenting the other perfectly to give the album a feel of complete collaboration. Tyr radiate a synergy that sets this album apart from other bands of the scene today, and they have crafted a sound that is undeniably their own. “Eric the Red” is a fantastic album that should be checked out by any metalhead looking for a well-produced, beautiful written album where every musician shines separately and as part of the larger group. Tracklist: 1. The Edge 2. Regin Smiður 3. Dreams 4. The Wild Rover 5. Stýrisvølurin 6. Ólavur Riddararós 7. Rainbow Warrior 8. Ramund Hin Unge 9. Alive 10. Eric the Red 11. God of War (Bonustrack) 12. Hail to the Hammer (Bonustrack)
