Týr (band)
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| Týr | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Faroe Islands |
| Genre(s) | Viking metal Folk metal Progressive metal |
| Years active | 1998 - present |
| Label(s) | Napalm Records Tutl |
| Website | http://www.tyr.net/ |
| Members | |
| Heri Joensen Terji Skibenæs Gunnar H. Thomsen Kári Streymoy |
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| Former members | |
| Jón Joensen Pól Arni Holm Allan Streymoy Ottó P. Arnarson |
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Týr (pronounced [tʰʊɪːɹ]) is a band from the Faroe Islands which plays a combination of heavy metal and folk music, with strong progressive metal elements. Their subject matter revolves almost entirely around old Nordic lore and mythology. They have signed a worldwide deal with Austria's Napalm Records in early 2006, while previously signed to the Faroese record label Tutl. The band has performed in Ragnarök Festival in 2007 and 2008[1][2].
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[edit] History
Týr began 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, bassplayer Gunnar H. Thomsen, making the duo a trio. 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."[3]
The name of the band comes from Týr, a Norse god. Before Týr, Joensen and Thomsen formed their first band, at the age of seventeen. They called themselves Cruiser. Streymoy also played with them for a short while. They later changed their name to Wolfgang. Although neither band released any albums, Wolfgang lasted until 2000, which was long enough to record an undisclosed amount of songs that, according to Joensen are "pretty much ready to release.[4]"
Týr was a part of the Paganfest tour in Europe and the US 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.
[edit] 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 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 while 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.
[edit] Trivia
In April 2008, Týr and other performers on the folk metal festival Paganfest were subject to accusations of being Nazis, racists and fascists from the German BIFFF (Berliner Institut für Faschismus-Forschung und Antifaschistische Aktion) lead by Peter Kratz. Ville Sorvali of Moonsorrow and Heri Joensen of Týr issued a joint video statement to refute these accusations, noting that the bands are in no way connected to far-right groups and actually are against fascism. [5]
[edit] Line-up
- Heri Joensen - vocals, guitar
- Terji Skibenæs - guitar
- Gunnar H. Thomsen - bass guitar
- Kári Streymoy - drums
[edit] Former members
- Jón Joensen - guitar, vocals
- Pól Arni Holm - vocals
- Allan Streymoy - vocals
- Ottó P. Arnarson - guitar
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- How Far to Asgaard (January 2002)
- Eric the Red (June 27, 2003)
- Ragnarok (September 22, 2006; October 10, 2006 for North America)
- Land (May 30, 2008)
[edit] EPs/Demos/Singles
- Demo (2000)
- Ólavur Riddararós (October 2002)
[edit] 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)
[edit] Videos
- "Hail to the Hammer" (2002)
- "Ormurin Langi" (2002)
- "Regin Smiður" (2003)
- "Sinklars Visa" (2008)
[edit] References
- ^ Ragnarök Festival 2007
- ^ Ragnarök Festival 2009
- ^ Týr - Unite Metal! (Heri Joensen)-Online Mar. 2004. The Metal Observer. Retrieved on September 30, 2007.
- ^ Pre-Týr info is discussed in this Deadtide Interview
- ^ Ville Sorvali of Moonsorrow and Heri Joensen of Týr. (2008). Statement on behalf of Moonsorrow, Týr and Eluveitie. Youtube.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
[edit] External links
[edit] Videos
- "Hail to the Hammer" (2002) on Týr's official website (WMV)
- "Ormurin Langi" (2002) on Týr's official website (WMV)
- "Regin Smiður" (2003) on Týr's official website (WMV)
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