TYR

Tyr is possibly the best album Sabbath made with Tony Martin. It's not really my kind of music but when it comes to power metal this is the real thing. Just like the Dio-fronted Sabbath albums, this is a mix of vintage Rainbow with Sabbath heaviness. It's heavier then Rainbow Rising but it's more slick, melodic and commercial then Heaven and Hell.

Most songs are really good. Again, not as good as Rainbow Rising or Heaven and Hell but quite a treat if you're a fan of this style I guess. For me, there are still too many traces of AOR left, as can be heard in the nasty break 2.15 minutes into Jerusalem. Other songs like Anno Mundi and The Sabbath Stones are true heavy metal monoliths.

The production is professional but very polished and gated (= 80's reverbed drums alert!). It makes the epic music a bit too bombastic for me and knocks off a star. With a more organic and rougher edge this could be 4 stars. Recommended for power and sympho metallers.