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 focus 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 positive response in the underground scene, Thyrfing signed to the Dutch record label Hammerheart Records in 1997.
In Stockholm's Sunlight Studio in , their debut album was recorded, showing a much more varied songwriting. The album was then released in March 1998. For their second album, this time recorded in the Abyss Studios, their music took on a more symphonic approach, still keeping with the roots from the older material. For future live performances, Henke Svegsjö from Winds was recruited on guitar. He was regarded as a good choice, and nowadays he is considered a full-member of the band. Once again with Tommy Tägtgren, Urkraft was recorded and released in August 2000. During that same year, the band also held two mini-tours with Primordial and Shadowbreed throughout 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 considered a big step forward for the band. With more experimental vocals, distinct and focused songs, odd instruments such as keyed fiddle and home-made percussion, and with a majority of Swedish lyrics, the band won new fans and rooted their position within the genre.
To support the album, Thyrfing played two support gigs during the winter (for Freedom Call and Dismember) in Stockholm, and did a small headliner tour in Benelux with Cruachan and Shadowbreed.
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 March 13, 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, is currently handling the vocals. The band also decided to continue with one guitarist.
Arising
Thyrfing Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Summon warriors of the oak
High as a pine in the forest
Summon those who sleep
Wake those beneath the grass
Buried deep under fields
Under sacrificial graves
In the burning earth
Carve runes upon the horns
Stain them red with blood
We mumble our spells and sing our hymns
Filled with lust we drink
The mead so pure and strong
Proffered by smiling maidens
We praise the taste on our tongue
Mead blessed for us by Odin
My father he has promised
That glorious I'll become
Standing high in the stern
Steering the ship so worthy
Slain in battle I rise again
Brought to life by a heathen spell
The sea was my home, I ruled the waves
Without fearing my death
Arising from the realm
Where the dead are screaming in vain
Bring forth the day
And I'll fight by your side
Born here in northern land
My vision's been clear since long ago
My heart will bleed as I walk upon earth
My fate lies here, carved in stone
I'm surrounded by fires
I behold this fearsome night
I was born as a wolf
But raised as a human
The Thyrfing’s song “Arising” is a powerful hymn that speaks of the awakening of great warriors, the summoning of the dead, and the call of destiny. The lyrics start by inviting the warriors of the oak, who are respected and revered in Norse mythology, to wake up and arise from their slumber. This symbolizes the awakening of strength, courage and determination in those who have fallen or given up on their dreams.
The song also describes the summoning of the dead, those who have fallen, who are sleeping in eternal peace under the fields or sacrificial graves. The runes are used to channel the power of the dead, as the warriors feed on their strength to prepare for battle. The drinking of the mead, which is blessed for them by Odin, fills them with a sense of lust and invincibility, thus preparing them for a fierce battle.
The lyrics continue to talk about the singer’s destiny, as he is destined to become a warrior, to rise gloriously, standing high in the stern, steering the ship so worthy. He is promised greatness by his father, who has foreseen his future. He is not afraid to die in battle, as he knows he’ll arise again, brought to life by a heathen spell.
The song’s powerful theme, which speaks of strength, courage, and determination, is complemented by the powerful and heavy melody, thus creating an atmosphere of invincibility and power.
Line by Line Meaning
I would wake warriors great
I want to awaken great warriors
Summon warriors of the oak
Call upon the warriors of the oak to come forth
High as a pine in the forest
Tall and strong like a pine tree in the forest
Summon those who sleep
Wake up those who are sleeping
Wake those beneath the grass
Bring to life those who are buried underground
Buried deep under fields
Hidden deeply in the fields
Under sacrificial graves
Buried beneath places of sacrifice
In the burning earth
Within the hot and fiery earth
Carve runes upon the horns
Inscribe symbols on the horns
Stain them red with blood
Color them red with blood
We mumble our spells and sing our hymns
Whisper our magic spells and sing our songs
Filled with lust we drink
Consumed by desire as we drink
The mead so pure and strong
The mead is both pure and potent
Proffered by smiling maidens
Given to us by happy young women
We praise the taste on our tongue
We celebrate the flavor on our tongue
Mead blessed for us by Odin
Mead that has been sanctified by Odin for us
My father he has promised
My father has given me his word
That glorious I'll become
That I will achieve great glory
Standing high in the stern
Standing tall at the back of the boat
Steering the ship so worthy
Guiding the ship with honor
Slain in battle I rise again
Killed in combat, I am reborn
Brought to life by a heathen spell
Revived through the magic of our pagan religion
The sea was my home, I ruled the waves
The ocean was my domain, I wielded power over it
Without fearing my death
Unafraid of dying
Arising from the realm
Emerging from the world of the dead
Where the dead are screaming in vain
Where the deceased are howling fruitlessly
Bring forth the day
Bring about a new day
And I'll fight by your side
I will stand beside you and battle
Born here in northern land
I was brought into this world in the northern region
My vision's been clear since long ago
I have had a clear sight of my destiny for a long time
My heart will bleed as I walk upon earth
I will suffer as I journey on this earth
My fate lies here, carved in stone
My destiny has already been predetermined
I'm surrounded by fires
I am encircled by flames
I behold this fearsome night
I observe this terrifying darkness
I was born as a wolf
I was brought into the world as a wolf
But raised as a human
But nurtured as a member of humanity
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
capetonis
"Eu despertarei os grandes guerreiros Chame os guerreiros do carvalho Altos como um pinheiro da floresta Chame esses que dormem" Greetings from Brazil!!
Dr.Ratamatahata
Одна из лучших их композиций.
Тарас Танаевский
Мы с тобой, ныне сущие, не имем права не то что смотреть или носить, но даже думать о символе воина, который ты посмел одеть на себя. Во имя отца Святослава, сбрей его, поклонись могилам предков, прокляни христа и помолись предкам. Слава нации
Lillo8992
This was the best song ever
Mehady Islam
mind blowing.kind of like Eluveitie
I.B. Annoyed
Reeking with power.
Ramiro Villalobos
74!!!!!!!
Mehady Islam
hey easy