Týr (band)

Týr
Týr performing live at Wacken Open Air in August 2010
Background information
Origin	Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
Genres	Viking metal[1] Folk metal[1] Progressive metal[1]
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Napalm Records Tutl
Associated acts	Heljareyga
Website	http://www.myspace.com/tyr1
Members
Heri Joensen Terji Skibenæs Gunnar H. Thomsen Kári Streymoy
Past members
Jón Joensen Pól Arni Holm Allan Streymoy Ottó P. Arnarson

Týr, (locally: [tʰʊɪːɹ], English /ˈtɪər/), is a folk metal band from the Faroe Islands. Their subject matter revolves almost entirely around old Nordic lore, mythology, and history,^[2] taking their name from a Norse god of war. They signed a worldwide deal with Austria's Napalm Records in early 2006, while signed to the Faroese record label Tutl. They performed at the Ragnarök Festival in 2007 and 2009.^[3][4]

History

Before Týr, Heri Joensen and Gunnar H. Thomsen formed their first band, Cruiser, at the age of seventeen. Streymoy also played with them for a short while. They later changed their name to Wolfgang. Although neither band released any albums, Wolfgang, who are still active, recorded an undisclosed amount of songs that, according to Joensen are "pretty much ready to release.^[5]"

Týr formed in January 1998. Heri Joensen met his old bandmate, Kári Streymoy, at a party in Copenhagen, Denmark. Joensen suggested to Streymoy that they should meet up and jam. Streymoy initially declined, but later took him up on his offer. They were soon joined by another former bandmate, bassist Gunnar H. Thomsen, expanding the duo into a trio. And in 2001 guitarist Terji Skibenæs joined the band.

They began making music which was heavily inspired by Norse mythology, Faroese traditional music, and heavy metal music in general. According to the band's frontman Heri Joensen:

"Týr's musical mission is to break down the walls that are erected between all the kinds of metal that have arisen over the years. Power-, doom-, black-, progressive-, gothic-, Viking-, folk-, ethnic- and epic metal. Walls and labels do nothing but fill people with prejudice."

Tours

Týr was a part of the Paganfest tour in Europe and the U.S. in 2008, with Ensiferum headlining. Other bands on the tour included Eluveitie, Turisas in the US, and Moonsorrow and Korpiklaani joined them on the European part of the tour.

In 2009, the band also took part in the "Black Sails over Europe" tour, supporting Alestorm, who were promoting their album Black Sails at Midnight.

Later, in 2010, the band would support Amon Amarth and Holy Grail on Amon Amarth's North American tour for select dates.

In January 2011, Týr played on the "70,000 Tons of Metal" cruise ship event with 40 other bands.

Band members

Singer Pól Arni Holm and guitarist Jón Joensen (Heri Joensen's brother) were part of the band while they recorded How Far to Asgaard but left soon after its release.

Terji Skibenæs in Metalmania 2007.

Terji Skibenæs joined after Jón Joensen had left the band. Allan Streymoy (Kári Streymoy's brother) took over singing duties for a brief time during which they released the single "Ólavur Riddararós". After Allan left Heri Joensen took over the vocals. It was this line up which recorded Eric the Red.

Skibenæs left the band for awhile after the release of Eric the Red. The band played as a trio for some time. In the summer of 2004 they were joined by Icelandic guitarist Ottó P. Arnarson for a very brief time. When Arnarson left, Skibenæs came back.

Kári Streymoy had a back injury in January 2008, which made him unable to tour until October the same year. Amon Djurhuus, a Faeroese drummer and student of Kári Streymoy, played the drums on the European part of the Paganfest, Merlin Sutter from Eluveitie filled for him on the US part and Daniel Ryan from Gigan on the Canadian part. After that for the festival tour in Europe Amon Djurhuus filled for Kári again. In October 2008 Kári Streymoy was ready to go again for the Ragnarök's Aaskereia Festival Tour.

Line-up

Current members

• Heri Joensen – vocals, guitar
• Terji Skibenæs – guitar
• Gunnar H. Thomsen – bass
• Kári Streymoy – drums

Former members

• Jón Joensen – vocals, guitar
• Pól Arni Holm – vocals
• Allan Streymoy – vocals
• Ottó P. Arnarson – guitar

Discography

Albums

• How Far to Asgaard (January 2002)
• Eric the Red (June 27, 2003)
• Ragnarok (September 22, 2006)
• Land (May 30, 2008)
• By the Light of the Northern Star (May 29, 2009)
• The Lay of Thrym (May 27, 2011)

EPs/Demos/Singles

• Demo (2000)
• Ólavur Riddararós (October 2002)

Compilations

• Tutl 25 ár – Live 2002 (contributed "Sand in the Wind") (2002) (Live)
• The Realm of Napalm Records (CD/DVD) (On DVD, track #17 "Regin Smiður" and #18 "Hail to the Hammer") (On CD, track #13 "Regin Smiður") (2006)
• Black Sails Over Europe (2009) (Split album with Alestorm and Heidevolk)

Videos

• "Hail to the Hammer" (2002)
• "Ormurin Langi" (2002)
• "Regin Smiður" (2003)
• "Sinklars Vísa" (2008)
• "Hold the Heathen Hammer High" (2009)

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Monger, James Christopher. "Tyr biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p562258. Retrieved 2010-06-20. 
2. ^ Færøsk Rock: Rock on the rocks Jyllands-Posten | 01.05.2001 | Kunst_og_Kultur | Side 10 | 1212 ord (portrait of the band)
3. ^ Ragnarök Festival 2007
4. ^ Ragnarök Festival 2009
5. ^ Pre-Týr info is discussed in this Deadtide Interview

External links

• Official website
• Týr at Napalm Records
• Týr at MySpace
• Týr at Last.fm