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.
Draugs Harg
Thyrfing Lyrics
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Ni ska dit varken sol eller måne når
Där sang blir till klagan och stratt blir till grat
Där smarta är evig och dagar är år
Nastarnds ormar som spyr blod och etter
Skört är slottet men stark är min ruin
Kräla ur min boning, lämma min gård
Ingen I ord är din vän
Likstrandens ormar som spyr blod och etter
Ni som blint trampar Draugs harg
På knä I Eljudne mottag död mans dom
Mot död och helsvite, ert öde och pinoplats
Bärsärkargång mot de dödas helgedom
Hammare och stål skall urkraften väcka
I björnskorta mot Draugs harg
Mö nidingapestens veka nacke knäckas
Hrungners dräpare skall dig till dädsriket skicka
Långt under likgrinden ned
Mot död och helsvite, erat öde och pinoplats
Långt under likgrinden ned
Draugs harg, långt under likgrinden ned
The lyrics of Thyrfing's "Draugs Harg" describe a dark and foreboding place, where neither the sun nor the moon can reach. It is a place where there is no joy, only mourning and sorrow. The song speaks of a ruined castle, infested with snakes that spit blood and poison. The only inhabitants of this desolate place are the gods and the elves, who provide no comfort or solace to any who might venture there.
The lyrics seem to be a warning to anyone who would dare to visit Draugs Harg. The song refers to those who blindly tread upon the sacred ground of the dead, inviting their own punishment in the form of death and damnation. It speaks of the power of the gods, who can send the unworthy to their final resting place, far below the earth's surface, to suffer forever.
The lyrics of "Draugs Harg" paint a vivid picture of a place where only death and despair exist. It is a warning to those who would venture there, that they do so at their own risk, and that the consequences of their actions will be severe.
Line by Line Meaning
Aldrig skall alder förtvina eller sälta sina spar
Time will never tarnish or diminish the value of our treasures
Ni ska dit varken sol eller måne når
A place beyond the reach of the sun and the moon awaits you
Där sang blir till klagan och stratt blir till grat
A place where songs turn to lament and joy turns to sorrow
Där smarta är evig och dagar är år
Where pain is eternal and days feel endless
Nastarnds ormar som spyr blod och etter
Poisonous snakes that vomit blood and venom
Skört är slottet men stark är min ruin
My castle may be fragile, but my legacy is strong
Kräla ur min boning, lämma min gård
Get out of my home and leave my land
Av asar och alfer som här inne äro
Of Aesir and elves who reside here
Ingen I ord är din vän
No one here will be your friend
Likstrandens ormar som spyr blod och etter
The snakes of the corpse shore, spitting blood and venom
Ni som blint trampar Draugs harg
Those who blindly tread on the burial ground of the undead
På knä I Eljudne mottag död mans dom
Kneel in Eljudne and receive the punishment of death
Mot död och helsvite, ert öde och pinoplats
Towards death and damnation, your fate and place of torment
Bärsärkargång mot de dödas helgedom
Berserk rage against the sacred ground of the dead
Hammare och stål skall urkraften väcka
The power of the hammer and steel shall awaken
I björnskorta mot Draugs harg
In bear skins, towards the burial ground of the undead
Mö nidingapestens veka nacke knäckas
Crush the cowardly serpent's feeble neck
Hrungners dräpare skall dig till dädsriket skicka
The slayer of Hrungnir shall send you to the realm of death
Långt under likgrinden ned
Far below the gate of death
Mot död och helsvite, erat öde och pinoplats
Towards death and damnation, your fate and place of torment
Långt under likgrinden ned
Far below the gate of death
Draugs harg, långt under likgrinden ned
The burial ground of the undead, far below the gate of death
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HENRIK SVEGSJOE, JOAKIM KRISTENSSON, KIMMY SJOELUND, PATRIK LINDGREN, PETER LOEF, THOMAS VAEAENAENEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind