Well, this one isn’t too hard to review, having quite stated what I think about this act with the review of Eric The Red. Ragnarok is the new album from TYR and follows more or less the same routine. So what you get is the mildly above average Viking inspired metal with abundant classic influences. I can say that the music matured somewhat but the main elements, and that sadly includes the singing, remain the same. Things have improved though; where Eric The Red in terms of songwriting and production got me to nod my head a bit at most, Ragnarok actually invokes a satisfied smile on my face now and then.

The guitars really shine on some of the tracks (for example ‘Wings Of Time’, followed by a superb solo-duet ‘Rage Of The Skullgaffer’ and the epic closer ‘Ragnarok’), the melodies are just that bit catchier and the sound of the album is a tad more powerful. I guess the devotees of TYR and viking metal in general already read enough by now and girded their swords, put on their helmet and left for battle. I can only scratch my head and fantasize about what this band could be if they stepped out of their niche, went for another vocalist and let all their talent just flow freely.