What makes The Lay of Thrym by Týr notable?

The album is notable for its blend of traditional folk themes with modern metal, which helped Týr gain a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim. It debuted at number 25 on the German Albums Chart, marking a significant achievement for an artist from the Faroe Islands and highlighting the growing global interest in folk metal. The Lay of Thrym is Týr's fifth studio album, released in 2011 during a period of artistic exploration following their previous album, By the Light of the Northern Star. At this point, Týr was solidifying its reputation within the folk metal genre, gradually gaining international recognition and expanding their thematic focus on mythology and history.

Who is The Lay of Thrym for?

The Lay of Thrym works well if you're into steady pacing for focused listening, epic storytelling through melodies and immersive narrative journey.

How many songs are on The Lay of Thrym?

The Lay of Thrym has 10 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

The Lay of Thrym

Týr · 2011

45 min · 10 tracks · progressive metal

Epic folk metal intertwines Norse mythology with progressive elements, creating a sonic tapestry rich in storytelling and intricate musicianship.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Flames of the Free — This opening track establishes the album's grandiose atmosphere, combining powerful riffs with soaring melodies that set the tone for the narrative journey ahead.
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Shadow of the Swastika — This song addresses complex historical themes through its lyrics, presenting a thought-provoking commentary while coupling it with intricate musical arrangements.
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The Lay of Thrym — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's mythological narrative and showcases Týr's signature blend of storytelling and heavy instrumentation, making it central to the overall theme.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album blends folk themes with metal effectively, showcasing strong musicianship and storytelling, though it may not have widespread recognition.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate narrative elements, with lyrics that draw directly from Norse mythology, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the music.
The tempo varies significantly across tracks, with some maintaining a fast pace while others slow down for dramatic effect, particularly in the latter half.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing for focused listening
epic storytelling through melodies
immersive narrative journey
mythological themes and imagery

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification
seek short standalone tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: The Lay of Thrym is Týr's fifth studio album, released in 2011 during a period of artistic exploration following their previous album, By the Light of the Northern Star. At this point, Týr was solidifying its reputation within the folk metal genre, gradually gaining international recognition and expanding their thematic focus on mythology and history.
Stylistic neighbors: Eluveitie· Korpiklaani· Finntroll