"Ragnars Kvæði", the new video from the Faroese folk metal band TÝR, can be seen below. The song is taken from the group's eighth full-length album, "Hel", which will be released on March 8 via Metal Blade Records. "Hel" is a collection of ruthlessly melodic and irresistibly compelling progressive folk metal that will immediately resonate with any who have followed the group at any point over the two decades of its storied career. Known for its prolific nature — dropping its first five full-lengths in the space of just seven years — TÝR's six-year gap between "Valkyrja" (2013) and "Hel" is by far the longest between any two of the band's records. During that period, the group toured hard, taking the album around the world, including a support run with CHILDREN OF BODOM in North America and an appearance on the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise. However, other factors played into this extended break between releases. "We approached this one differently because I learned that if I continue doing albums in the way we had up to now, I would die from a heart attack before I'm 50," says TÝR vocalist/guitarist Heri Joensen. "That's one of the reasons we changed our method and took such a long time on this one." That this tactic — which also includes more songwriting contributions from bassist/vocalist Gunnar Thomsen and guitarist Terji Skibenæs than on previous releases — has been beneficial is borne out in the finished product, which is perhaps more immersive than those that came before. "Musically it leans a bit towards our album, 'Ragnarok' (2005)," states Thomsen. "It's a bit more epic and also much better worked through than any of our previous albums." It also marks the recording debut of drummer Tadeusz Rieckmann, who has manned the drum throne for TÝR's live shows since 2016. "We had some problems finding the right guy some years back, but Tadeusz is the man for the job," says Joensen. "He's a very technically able drummer, but at the same time, he has a very natural old-school heaviness to his style, and he plays with deep emotion, which is just what we need." Conceptually, the album is informed by a combination of mythology, personal experience and observations of current international events, making for a multifaceted experience that can be processed and understood on many levels. Starting not with a specific story to tell but with an atmosphere in mind, Joensen prefers not to disclose too much detail when it comes to lyrics, keen for listeners to have a chance to take what they want from the songs, though he provides a basic description of that which inspired him. "Hel is the realm of death in Norse mythology, the underworld where those who die a natural death, not in battle, go. A bit confusingly, it is also the name of the goddess who rules over the same realm. She's the daughter of Loki and a terrifying creature to look upon. Two of the songs — "Ragnars Kvæõi" and "Álvur Kongur" — are traditional Faroese ballads and are as such sung in Joensen's native tongue. Followers of TÝR will be aware that they have on numerous occasions strayed from English, which Joensen acknowledges as the "language of metal," though this time out it is only the ballads that feature non-English lyrics. "If I have a good folky melody, I always have the thought that I should write the lyrics in Faroese, but I seldom have the time," Joensen says. "The traditional songs come with lyrics, so it's just about picking out the verses I want to use." These tracks were in actuality selected even before the release of "Valkyrja" and have had a long gestation period, Joensen feeling that in adapting them they very much fit with the band's signature sound. "I am always trying out melodies and chose 'Ragnars Kvæði' first for the fascinating melody in the chorus, and secondly for the storyline," he says. "The other ballad I picked first because of the lyrics, which refer to Odin extensively, and secondly for the melody and chorus. I was very satisfied with the harmonies and epic feel of the arrangements I'd come up with, and to tell you the truth, I wish there were more songs of this kind on the album." "Hel" was tracked entirely by Thomsen and Joensen, with sessions split between the latter's studio in Søldarfjørður, drums lain down at Jacob Hansen's studio in Denmark, Skibenæs working in his home studio, and some solos and bass details recorded while they were on the road in North America. "The sessions took us a long time because we did it all on our own. But we gathered a lot of knowhow while doing it, so it will be a good reference for the future," states Thomsen. Joensen concurs, adding, "It was a bit more relaxing than usual, which was good for me. It took some discipline, and creative people are not typically the most disciplined types. I am definitely not, so I guess it could have gone faster with someone else at the whip!" That the delay in getting the record out means it's emerging in the twentieth year of TÝR's existence is quite poignant. It has definitely not been an easy road to this point, with several members having come and gone, and those that remain having had to endure some very difficult periods, but despite all of it, they have managed to make it through, and achieved a great deal in the process. "I did dream about becoming an internationally successful professional when I started. It's what I aimed at, but still it's a bit surreal that we've made it this far," Joensen admits. "I didn't in my wildest dreams think I could put survive such misery and abject poverty that this career has lead me through. Still, here I am." Thomsen "could not be prouder" when he looks back at the string of records they have released, also acknowledging the ups and downs experienced along the way, but making an important point: "We've done something nobody from where we're from has done before," he states plainly. "But there's a lot more to come!" "Hel" track listing: 01. Gates Of Hel 02. All Heroes Fall 03. Ragnars Kvæði 04. Garmr 05. Sunset Shore 06. Downhill Drunk 07. Empire Of The North 08. Far From The Worries Of The World 09. King Of Time 10. Fire And Flame 11. Against The Gods 12. Songs Of War 13. Alvur Kongur
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