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.
Mjölner
Thyrfing Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
En symbol för svunnen prakt
Enande för oss som funnit nordens sanna styrka
Enande för oss som ärar svunnen makt
Den kraftiga åska du bringar
Buren av guden som färdas av bockar dragen
Och när han Hrungners död svingar
Chorus 1:
Du som skapar det mäktigaste av dån
Du som dräpte Jordens gördel
Du som svingas av Jordens son
Du som äro tursars bödel
Ett vapen av stål som aldrig ger vika
Talet kring din styrka känns oändligt
Vi din anda aldrig kunnat svika
Heimdalls söner dig bär ständigt
Även nu då mången förlust är liden
Vi bär dig, av Sindre smiden
På bröstet vi dig stolt skall bära
Evigt trotsande världslig fara
Chorus 2:
På bröstet vi dig stolt skall bära
Evigt trotsande världslig fara
Vi som nordens sanna ande ära
Vi som en dag till Valhall fara
Du, som Baldersbålet helgade
Du, som krossade de som Odens son vredgade
The lyrics to Thyrfing's song Mjölner are an homage to the Norse god Thor and his mighty hammer, Mjölner. The opening lines speak of Mjölner as a symbol of strength and power for the people of Sweden, a unifying force that honors the past greatness of the Norse gods. The second verse delves deeper into the power of Mjölner, describing the thunderous force it brings along with the god who wields it, traveling on his chariot drawn by goats. When Thor strikes down his enemies, the powerful sound of his hammer echoes through the land.
In the chorus, the lyrics address Mjölner directly, calling it the greatest source of thunder, the weapon that destroyed the serpent that encircled the earth, and the instrument wielded by the son of the earth. Mjölner is also referred to as the executioner of those doomed by fate. The third verse speaks of the unbreakable nature of the hammer, and how it has been crafted by a skilled blacksmith. The spirit of Mjölner is said to live within those who carry it, and the sons of Heimdall, the god of watchfulness, are said to carry it always. The final lines again speak of the honor and pride that come with carrying Mjölner, and of the everlasting strength it embodies.
Line by Line Meaning
Ett tecken för Svearikets styrka
A symbol of strength for the kingdom of Sweden
En symbol för svunnen prakt
A symbol of past grandeur
Enande för oss som funnit nordens sanna styrka
Unifying for those who have found the true strength of the North
Enande för oss som ärar svunnen makt
Unifying for those who honor past power
Den kraftiga åska du bringar
The powerful thunder you bring
Buren av guden som färdas av bockar dragen
Carried by the god who rides goats
Och när han Hrungners död svingar
And when he swings the death of Hrungnir
då ekar de mäktiga hammarslagen
then the mighty hammer strikes echo
Du som skapar det mäktigaste av dån
You who create the mightiest of roars
Du som dräpte Jordens gördel
You who killed the belt of the earth
Du som svingas av Jordens son
You who are wielded by the son of the earth
Du som äro tursars bödel
You who are the executioner of fate
Ett vapen av stål som aldrig ger vika
A weapon of steel that never yields
Talet kring din styrka känns oändligt
The talk surrounding your strength feels endless
Vi din anda aldrig kunnat svika
We have never been able to betray your spirit
Heimdalls söner dig bär ständigt
Heimdall's sons constantly bear you
Även nu då mången förlust är liden
Even now when many losses have been suffered
Vi bär dig, av Sindre smiden
We bear you, crafted by Sindre
På bröstet vi dig stolt skall bära
On our chest we shall proudly bear you
Evigt trotsande världslig fara
Eternally defying worldly danger
På bröstet vi dig stolt skall bära
On our chest we shall proudly bear you
Evigt trotsande världslig fara
Eternally defying worldly danger
Vi som nordens sanna ande ära
We who honor the true spirit of the North
Vi som en dag till Valhall fara
We who one day will journey to Valhalla
Du, som Baldersbålet helgade
You, who sanctified Balder's pyre
Du, som krossade de som Odens son vredgade
You, who crushed those who angered Odin's son
Contributed by Caleb O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.