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.
Jord
Thyrfing Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Framat - Nidingblod ar ert elixir
Av jord ar niding kommen
Jord skall niding ater varda
Drakens ornament i hallen gloda
Till tordon skall niding villfara
Av jord skall niding ater varda
Sanningar tar nar ert allt ar brant
Utopins eldar stravar mot ytan
Skrik, ni kladda i lagans skrud
En grav ar gravd for skyars regent
Askens krona den siste nu vordar
Ljuset falnar, ty hoppet dog
Nar Birka ater ur askan steg
Ett ansikte forvridet for nordens moda
The lyrics to Thyrfing's song Jord speak to the power of Nordic pride and the idea of revenge against those who have betrayed that pride. The first stanza speaks of the weapons held high under the banner of the North, and how the blood of traitors is the elixir of the righteous. The second stanza talks of the dragon's ornament glowing in the hall, and how the traitors shall wander aimlessly until they become one with the earth again. A salute is given to the values of the North.
In the third stanza, it speaks of how truths will be revealed when everything is burning and how the fires of utopia will strive for the surface. The fourth stanza speaks of how those who cling to false justice will scream as they are buried beneath the clouds' ruler. The final stanza speaks of how the ash's crown now becomes the last, and how the light is fading as hope dies. But as Birka rises from the ashes, a face is twisted for the values of the North.
Line by Line Meaning
Vapnare under nordens baner
Soldiers under the flags of the North
Framat - Nidingblod ar ert elixir
Forward - Betrayal blood is your elixir
Av jord ar niding kommen
From the earth, betrayal has come
Jord skall niding ater varda
The earth shall betray again
Drakens ornament i hallen gloda
The dragon's ornament glows in the hall
Till tordon skall niding villfara
To the thunder god, betrayal shall roam
Av jord skall niding ater varda
From the earth, betrayal shall arise again
En salut for nordens moda
A salute to the Nord's fashion
Sanningar tar nar ert allt ar brant
Truths seize when everything is burning
Utopins eldar stravar mot ytan
Utopia's fires strive towards the surface
Skrik, ni kladda i lagans skrud
Scream, you smear in the guise of peace
En grav ar gravd for skyars regent
A grave is dug for the ruler of the skies
Askens krona den siste nu vordar
The ash's crown now becomes the final one
Ljuset falnar, ty hoppet dog
The light fades, because hope dies
Nar Birka ater ur askan steg
When Birka rose from the ashes again
Ett ansikte forvridet for nordens moda
A face twisted for the Nord's fashion
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HENRIK SVEGSJOE, JOAKIM KRISTENSSON, KIMMY SJOELUND, PATRIK LINDGREN, PETER LOEF, THOMAS VAEAENAENEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind