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.
Isolation
Thyrfing Lyrics
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When friend and enemy consolidate
Covenants are broken
Treachery erases all, if it ever was
A deception that wrecked the idols,
Layed cities waste and brought
Sanctuaries to desolation
And consumed all abundant and old
With a nucleus burnt our fate is forseen
The sufferer fell with fiends
And altered amongst shades
He became his own people
Isolation - the breaking of bonds, a distant beckoning
Salvation - the womb of rebirth, foul and sickening
The antagonist needs not yeld
Nor answer or follow
Yet them of abhor became his rulers
By emnity forced to embrace plauges and pestilence
Forced to walk in contrary to heralds
The cure should be simple,
Find the core and smoke it out
Seek the heart and putrid flesh
Shall preach no more
When the bridge collapsed
Upon your sons and daughters
Whatever awaits is welcomed with open arms
Isolation - the breaking of bonds, a distant beckoning
Salvation - the womb of rebirth, foul and sickening
The song "Isolation" by Thyrfing delves into the concepts of betrayal and the breaking of bonds in relationships. The lyrics describe how treachery can destroy even the strongest of covenants, bringing desolation to once vibrant cities and sanctuaries. The theme of isolation is further explored, with the sufferer and his fiends becoming one, creating their own people. The song provides a warning about the dangers of betraying others and how it can ultimately lead to one's own destruction.
The lyrics also speak of salvation, but it is portrayed as a "womb of rebirth" that is both foul and sickening. This suggests that even with salvation, there is a price to pay, and it may not be the perfect solution. The song encourages the listeners to seek the heart and root out the cause of the problem rather than just treating the symptoms. The final lines depict a scene of a bridge collapsing, where the consequences await with open arms.
In conclusion, "Isolation" is a cautionary tale about the perils of treachery and how it can lead to isolation and desolation. It also explores the concept of salvation and how sometimes the solution may not be perfect.
Line by Line Meaning
When friend and enemy consolidate
When alliances are made between friends and enemies
Covenants are broken
Promises and agreements are not kept
Treachery erases all, if it ever was
Deceit destroys everything that ever existed
A deception that wrecked the idols,
A lie that destroyed the things we worshipped
Layed cities waste and brought
Cities were destroyed and
Sanctuaries to desolation
Holy places were left in ruins
Isolation found it's offering
Being alone became the only option
And consumed all abundant and old
Destroyed everything that was once prosperous
With a nucleus burnt our fate is forseen
Our destruction is imminent and inevitable
The sufferer fell with fiends
The victim fell alongside their tormentors
And altered amongst shades
Changed and became like everyone else
He became his own people
He became isolated, no longer belonging to a community
Isolation - the breaking of bonds, a distant beckoning
Being alone means leaving behind relationships, calling from afar
Salvation - the womb of rebirth, foul and sickening
Redemption is desired, even if it is unpleasant
The antagonist needs not yeld
The opposition does not have to give in
Nor answer or follow
They don't even have to respond or conform
Yet them of abhor became his rulers
Their disgust made them the victors
By emnity forced to embrace plauges and pestilence
Hatred leads to the acceptance of disease and destruction
Forced to walk in contrary to heralds
Compelled to act against the warnings of messengers
The cure should be simple,
The solution to the problem should be easy
Find the core and smoke it out
Locate the root of the issue and eradicate it
Seek the heart and putrid flesh
Look for what's important and get rid of what's rotten
Shall preach no more
Will no longer have an influence
When the bridge collapsed Upon your sons and daughters
When everything falls apart and affects future generations
Whatever awaits is welcomed with open arms
Anything is better than the current situation
Isolation - the breaking of bonds, a distant beckoning
Being alone means leaving behind relationships and calling from afar
Salvation - the womb of rebirth, foul and sickening
Redemption is desired, even if it is unpleasant
Contributed by Zoe V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.