The picture on the cover is of a stormy sky of grey clouds over dark mountains and water. Perhaps it is a photo of some northern fjord. Runic letters glow across the waters: TYR.

Crystalline acoustic guitar notes arpeggio as a lonely vocal sings longingly of a vision of Anno Mundi, the first song. Iommi breaks through with an awesome heavy yet melodic riff. Singer Martin nods to a previous Sab effort reflecting on generals who wage war on the world. Electrifying key changes record indelibly the art of this mature band. Operatic vocals assail my senses, leaving nothing but breathlessness for the next song.

The Law Giver is a strict rocker busting along at a tight pace. Martin relates the story of the mysterious Lawgiver, who appears as a silhouette in the distance, seeking sinners' souls to trade for gold. Lightning guitar work rakes the sonic spectrum as the song crashes to an end.

Jerusalem's wicked riff creatively opens the door for the earnest vocal work as a rather biblical tale relates cryptically. This is truly great tunesmithery for a heavy rock group. Closes with a layered chorus.

The Sabbath Stones starts of with a thud, and swings into a steady rhythm. "Silence stills the air and kills the chime..." what is Martin telling us? "Receiver of Light, the kingdom of God will guide you?!" I recheck to make sure this album is by a group named Black Sabbath. Interesting bass as Neil Murray trys a little melody himself. More Wagnerianly operatic vocals.

So that's Side 1, and an impressive four they are! Musically everything stays rather interesting, however the lyrics are not aging well with me, and I wonder what the hell Martin is going on about.

A dramatic orchestral piece begins the Battle of Tyr. It fades to a distant questioning note answered by windchimes. Odin's Court: a gentle guitar accompanies the vocal, while Iommi's lead guitar circles softly in the background. The crushing riff comes inevitable on, and the song turns warlike and prophetic, transmogrifying towards Valhalla.

Feels Good to Me is a rather beautiful ballad highlighting Martin's strong voice. Abandoning the viking hallmark of much of the album, the lyrics are vague and appropriate to the song. Then Black Sabbath closes the album with a rocker, Heaven in Black, the bizarre story of punishment by blinding.

All in all Tyr is an entertaining, reasonable, musical, and different Sab album.