Thyrfing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This page refers to the metal band Thyrfing. For the mythological sword see Tyrfing
| Thyrfing | ||
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 Thyrfing's 1999 album Valdr Galga
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| Background information | ||
| Origin | Stockholm, Sweden  |
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| Genre(s) | Black metal Viking metal |
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| Years active | 1995 – present | |
| Label(s) | Regain Records | |
| Website | www.thyrfing.com | |
Thyrfing are a Viking metal band from Sweden. The band is named after a royal sword Tyrfing from Norse mythology.
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[edit] History
Thyrfing was formed in 1995 by Patrik Lindgren (guitar), Jocke Kristensson (drums), Peter Löf (keyboard) and Kimmy Sjölund (bass guitar). From the beginning the band was meant to be a side project as Patrik and Jocke put their main force into their other band Pantheon (not to be confused with the American National Socialist black metal band of the same name). Northern mythology and the Viking age was an interest of all the members, so the lyrics and the concept was focused upon this subject. The music was rather primitive and built upon slow pounding drums, heavy guitars and medieval synth-melodies. After two demo tapes that gained a lot of good response in the underground, Thyrfing signed to the Dutch record label Hammerheart Records in 1997. In Stockholm's Sunlight Studio in Stockholm, their debut album was recorded, showing a much more varied songwriting. It was released in March of 1998. For their second album, this time recorded in the Abyss Studios, their music took a more symphonic touch, still keeping the roots from the older material. For future live performances Henke Svegsjö from Ancient Winds was recruited on guitar. He seemed to be a good choice and nowadays he is a full-member of the band. Once again with Tommy Tägtgren, Urkraft was put on tape and released in August. The year also held two mini-tours with Primordial and Shadowbreed through The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
In the autumn of 2001, the band entered Dug-Out Studio with well-known producer Daniel Bergstrand to record the most diverse and mature Thyrfing-album to date: Vansinnesvisor (English: Songs of Madness). The album was released in July the following year, masterly packaged by Niklas Sundin, and was a big step forward for the band. With more experimental vocals, distinct and focused songs, with odd instruments such as keyed fiddle and home-made percussion and with a majority of Swedish lyrics, the band won new ground and rooted their position within the genre.
To support the album, Thyrfing played during the winter two support gigs (for Freedom Call and Dismember) in Stockholm, and did a small headliner tour in Benelux with Cruachan and Shadowbreed.
The year of 2003 followed with further live-promotion such as the Generation Armageddon Festivals (including Ancient Rites, Septic Flesh, Primordial, Blood Red Throne and Skyfire), a 12-day European tour throughout Europe and performances on the main festival stages of 2000 Decibel in Sweden and Wacken Open Air in Germany.
Thyrfing entered EMI studios on April 18, 2005, to record their new album, Farsotstider ("Times of Plague"), which was released on November 21, 2005.
The band played their first US show in January 2006 alongside Moonsorrow and Primordial at the Heathen Crusade metalfest in Columbia Heights, Minnesota.
On the 13:th of March 2007 the band posted a message on the official Thyrfing-site declaring that Thomas Väänänen (vocals) and Henrik Svegsjö (guitars) had decided to leave the band due to lack of motivation. Instead of Thomas, founder and ex-vocalist of Naglfar Jens Rydén will now be handling the vocals. The band will continue with one guitarist for now.
[edit] Band members
Jens Rydén - vocals
Patrik Lindgren - guitars
Kimmy Sjölund - bass
Peter Löf - synthesizers
Joakim Kristensson - drums
[edit] Former Band members
Thomas Väänänen - vocals (1996-2006)
Henrik Svegsjö - guitars (1998-2006)
Vintras - guitars (1997-1998)
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Thyrfing (1998)
- Valdr Galga (1999)
- Urkraft (2000)
- Vansinnesvisor (2002)
- Farsotstider (2005)
[edit] EPs
- Hednaland CD 1999
- Solen Svartnar 7" EP 1999
[edit] Demos
- Solen Svartnar 7" Demo 1995
- Hednaland Demo 1996
