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Týr
Hamburg, September 16, 2006.
Background information
Origin	Runavík, Faroe Islands
Genres	Viking metal Folk metal Progressive metal
Years active	1998 - present
Labels	Napalm Records Tutl
Website	http://www.tyr.net/
Members
Heri Joensen Terji Skibenæs Gunnar H. Thomsen Kári Streymoy
Former members
Jón Joensen Pól Arni Holm Allan Streymoy Ottó P. Arnarson

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, mythology, and history. 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 2008.^[1][2]

History

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, 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."

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, who are still active, recorded an undisclosed amount of songs that, according to Joensen are "pretty much ready to release.^[3]"

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.

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

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.

Controversy

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) led 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.^[4]

This Incident is often said to be sparked by the over-cautioness of the BIFF with pagan and nordic symbols, as they were often used by National Socialistic regimes in northern and middle Europe.

Line-up

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

Former members

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

Discography

Albums

• How Far To Asgaard (January 2002)
  • Re-released on November 4, 2008 - contains "Ólavur Riddararós" and "Stýrisvølurin" - both from the EP Ólavur Riddararós
• Eric The Red (June 27, 2003)
  • Re-released on March 24, 2006 - contains "God of War" and "Hail to the Hammer" - both from the demo
• Ragnarok (September 22, 2006; October 10, 2006 for North America)
• Land (May 30, 2008)
• By The Light Of The Northern Star (May 29, 2009)

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

External links

• Official website - Link does not work.
• Týr at MySpace
• Týr at Napalm Records - Link does not work.