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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More great reading!, October 19, 2004
This review is from: TYR Myth, Culture, Tradition Vol. 2 (v. 2) (Paperback)
There are few works out there available for Heathen consumption that stand out so well as the journal, TYR. Now in its second volume, TYR dares to once again push the folds of the envelope, and to carry the reader into realms seldom ventured or never explored in the pages of other Heathen periodicals.
This 2004 edition -which dwarfs the premier edition by some one hundred and forty-six pages- hardly resembles the `traditional' journal or magazine. Rather, it follows its predecessor in being a perfect-bound (paperback) book... a meaty almanac of intelligent Heathen reading, presenting a refreshingly insightful fare that simply cannot be found in any other collection of relevant articles. From the recollection of the development of Asatrú in America by Stephen McNallen to the very unique and thought-provoking Thoughts on God by Alain de Benoist to the ably written and informative Relections on Disparate Myths of Divine Sacrifice by Michael Moynihan and the wonderful dissertation, Herman Wirth on Folksong by Joscelyn Godwin (and much more besides!) there is no doubt something for each and every discerning reader!
And, as if that wasn't enough, we're given not one, but three great interviews: Fermenting Moon Musick: A Conversation with John Balance of Coil by Michael Moynihan and Joshua Buckley, Sagaman and Storyteller: A Conversation with P.D. Brown by Joshua Buckley, and Musical Ammunition: An Interview with Allerseelen's Gerhard by Joshua Buckley.
But wait, there's more!
Who can forget reviews? There's page after page of in-depth reviews for both literature and music -entries which offer not only the perspective of the author in question, but with enough information on the material being discussed (or, background on the author / artist in question) to make as well-informed and educated decision as any consumer can hope or expect.
But wait, there's even more!
That's right, I said more... aside from a year's worth of reading to keep your mind busily stimulated, readers will find an accompanying CD sampler with this edition. In the true spirit of what we're coming to expect from the promising vision of TYR in the prime of its youth, the editors once again impose upon the boundaries of expectation. This is an offering of seventeen tracks from seventeen artists, from the likes of Allerseelen, Primordial, In Gowan Ring, Steve Von Till, Fire + Ice, Blood Axis, Waldteufel, and others... providing a collage of demonstrable musical ability and talent from the contributing artists in a brilliant tapestry of stylistic variation. As Moynihan states in his commentary, regardless of whether their work is subdued or bombastic in sound, all of the contributors to this compilation CD perform music with a full awareness of the subtle implications of their chosen art form... ...at root every one of these artists holds profound respect for traditions, folklore, and most importantly, for those beings- both ancestral and celestial- who came before them. I couldn't agree more- it certainly shines through in the collection as a whole as it imparts a fresh and living breath of inspired artistry within the murk of unimportant and rather unmoving mainstream fodder.
The final handful of pages of TYR are dedicated to the sampler, offering informative notes, photos, contact information, and links to pertinent websites -all providing for a richer listening experience and enjoyment, and allowing the inquisitive listener an ability to pursue a respective artist's or artists' other works.
TYR II is unparalleled in its journalistic and publishing excellence, well worth every penny spent... a wonderful addition to any Heathen library!
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Triumph: Even better than Tyr #1, April 25, 2004
This review is from: TYR Myth, Culture, Tradition Vol. 2 (v. 2) (Paperback)
_Tyr_ #2 is a stimulating, enlightening, compellingly readable collection of essays, interviews, and reviews of books and CDs of interest to modern heathens. My favorite contributions are the following. Julius Evola's fascinating lecture "The Aryan Doctrine of Combat and Victory" deals with the mythology connected to warfare. Evola's treatment of female goddesses and daimons like Athena, Nike, the furies, and the valkyries is not, however, very satisfying, probably because of his bias toward Uranic, masculine mythologies. (Steven Pollington's essay "Origins of the Germanic Warband," among other things, offers a telling this-wordly basis for such female war divinities: the Germanic custom of women accompanying their men to battle to cheer them on.) Collin Cleary's "Summoning the Gods: The Phenomenology of Divine Presence" expands upon his "Knowing the Gods" in _Tyr_ #1. It is a very honest and absorbing reflection on how we can reawaken polytheism in the modern world. Alain de Benoist has two contributions: his essay "Thoughts on God" and an interview on his book _On Being a Pagan_, which will be published in translation later this year by Ultra, the publisher of _Tyr_. If you like _Tyr_ you will like _On Being a Pagan_. Stephen McNallen's "Three Decades of the Asatru Revival in America" is a frank, self-critical account of his pioneering work in reviving Germanic heathenism. His experiences would be very helpful to anyone thinking of creating a religious organization. I also found the essays by Nigel Pennick (on heathen sacred places), John Matthews (on the giants of Albion), Stephen Flowers (on the earliest revivals of interest in Nordic religion and culture), Markus Wolff (on Ludwig Fahrenkrog), and Joscelyn Godwin (on Herman Wirth's studies of folksong) to be quite interesting and informative. _Tyr_ #2 is an excellent value all around. It is about 150 pages longer than _Tyr_ #1 and contains a bonus CD with some modern folkish music, some of it quite good. The volume is handsomely printed and designed, with beautiful cover art. The writers should be very proud to have their work presented so attractively.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tyr #2, December 22, 2004
This review is from: TYR Myth, Culture, Tradition Vol. 2 (v. 2) (Paperback)
Tyr #2-This is a 430 page collection of essays that are for the most part in the anti-globalist/mass culture, pro folkish/euro-pagan vein. Lots of well known names like Moynihan, Thorrson, McNallen, Pennick, Godwin, Evola, etc contribute to this.
Profiles of various notable figures from the "volkish" movement that popped up in pre-National Socialist Austria and Germany are included, which I found interesting if for no other reason for the historical perspective.
I think my favorite selections from Tyr #2 are Colin Clearys "Summoning the Gods" which in part talks about part of being a pagan is having a sense of wonder, awe and reverance of things like forests or animals that the masses of human sheep either don't notice, or could care less about. I also got a lot of enjoyment out of Christian Ratschs "Sacred Plants of our Ancestors", which talks about the use naturally occuring plants, like Cannabis, psychoactive mushrooms, or Henbane beer as part of Germanic heathen shamanism throughout history.
As an extra added bonus this book comes with a cd that contains a varied selection of excellent music from the, for lack of a better word, "neo-folk" genre.
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