Search - Thyrfing :: Valdr Galga

The best Viking Metal band ... Thyrfing!

Andrew S | Chesterfield, MI United States | 01/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those who are not familiar with Thyrfing, Thyrfing play Folk-inspired Viking Metal like no other band I've heard. The melodies are very Folk-influenced while the Scandinavian Metal-edge present in all its glory. Lyrically Thyrfing sings hymns based-upon the glorious Nordic Mythology as perfectly displayed by their music. Upon listening to their albums you'll find yourself running through forests with Fenrir, drinking mead with timeless warriors in the Golden Halls of Valhalla, and, of course, chanting your glory to the almighty Odin. I have never heard a band represent Nordic Mythology so perfectly on both lyrical and musical terms as Thyrfing has.Now that you, the reader, have an idea of what Thyring sounds like lets get on to the album: Valdr Galga. Valdr Galga is Thyrfing's second full-length recording and it is my favorite Thyrfing release alongside their debut, self-titled release. The songs range from faster numbers such as the opening track Storms Of Asgard to Viking Hymns such as the closing track A Great Man's Return (my favorite Viking Metal song) and everything in between ;-) Every single track on this album is what I consider perfect Viking Metal so do not feel that there are any weak tracks since I only mentioned two. Every track is amazing here! ... AMAZING! ;-DIf you call yourself a Viking Metal fan your collection is not complete without this masterpiece and defining piece of the genre. Raise your horns men and begin to set sail into one of the World's greatest Viking Metal albums! Hail!"

Viking metal at its best

dis6 | Israel | 06/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Now that Mythotin is broken up, Thyrfing remain one of a select few bands to hold the fort of true Viking metal. Their brand of Swedish death metal is composed of folk-oriented melodies and ancient battle cries. What seperates this band from the current litter of Scandinavian viking bands is not just good song-writing, but mainly interesting and composite structures that nover cease holding my attention. You can't compare this to all those boring Norwegian bands that pick on one folk riff and exhaust it indefinitely. All hail Thyrfing, the warriors of the North."

Very good viking metal, but not a good starting point

J. Mitchell | Indiana, USA | 10/22/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The first Thyrfing album I got was Urkraft. It was a very rich, heavy album which amazed me and first got me into the 'viking metal' subgenre, which I can best describe as black metal with viking lore mixed in. Anyway, Urkraft amazed me, and I ended up ordering Valdr Galga without hearing more than the zamples from barnes and noble.



Valdr Galga isn't as diverse as Urkraft; Upon first listen, many songs sound the same. However, after repeated listens, one can gain more of an appreciation for this album.



The first track (prelude + storms of Asgar) is by far the best, in my opinion. It is a powerful, very driven song. It almost makes you want to jump headlong into battle against the Normans!



There aren't many clean-sung vocals on this album, as there aren't many in viking metal in general. If you can't stand a death metal growl, stay away from the album. However, if you're either used to it, or it doesn't bother you, then it's a moot point, and you'll be able to enjoy the album easier.



In conclusion, if you're just starting out with the band or the genre, get Urkraft. If you really enjoy that album, then its time to get either Valdr Galga or Thyrfing (although Ive never heard the self-titled album, so I could not say which to get first). I enjoyed Urkraft very much, and while not as memorable, Valdr Galga is still an excellent album from an excellent band."