TYR (heavy prog folk)
http://www.tyr.net/
http://www.myspace.com/tyr1
Týr began in January 1998. Heri Joensen met his old bandmate, Kári Streymoy, at a party in Copenhagen, Denmark. Joensen suggested to Streymoy that
they should meet up and jam. Streymoy initially declined, but later took him up on his offer.
They were soon joined by another former bandmate, bassplayer Gunnar H. Thomsen, making the duo a trio. They began making music which was heavily
inspired by Norse mythology, Faroese traditional music, and heavy metal music in general. According to the band's frontman Heri Joensen, Týr's
"musical mission is to break down the walls that are erected between all the kinds of metal that have arisen over the years. Power-, doom-, black
-, progressive-, gothic-, Viking-, folk-, ethnic- and epic metal. Walls and labels do nothing but fill people with prejudice."
The name of the band comes from Týr, a Norse god. Before Týr, Joensen and Thomsen formed their first band, at the age of seventeen. They called
themselves Cruiser. Streymoy also played with them for a short while. They later changed their name to Wolfgang. Although neither band released
any albums, Wolfgang, who are still active, recorded an undisclosed amount of songs that, according to Joensen are "pretty much ready to release.
"
Týr was a part of the Paganfest tour in Europe and the US in 2008, with Ensiferum headlining. Other bands on the tour included Eluveitie, Turisas
in the US, and Moonsorrow and Korpiklaani joined them on the European part of the tour.
Band members
Singer Pól Arni Holm and guitarist Jón Joensen (Heri Joensen's brother) were part of the band while they recorded How Far to Asgaard but left soon
after its release.
Terji Skibenćs joined after Jón Joensen had left the band. Allan Streymoy (Kári Streymoy's brother) took over singing duties for a brief time
during which they released the single "Ólavur Riddararós". After Allan left Heri Joensen took over the vocals. It was this line up which recorded
Eric the Red.
Skibenćs left the band for while after the release of Eric the Red. The band played as a trio for some time. In the summer of 2004 they were
joined by Icelandic guitarist Ottó P. Arnarson for a very brief time. When Arnarson left, Skibenćs came back.
Kári Streymoy had a back injury in January 2008, which made him unable to tour until October the same year. Amon Djurhuus, a Faeroese drummer and
student of Kári Streymoy, played the drums on the European part of the Paganfest, Merlin Sutter from Eluveitie filled for him on the US part and
Daniel Ryan from Gigan on the Canadian part. After that for the festival tour in Europe Amon Djurhuus filled for Kári again. In October 2008 Kári
Streymoy was ready to go again for the Ragnarök's Aaskereia Festival Tour.
Trivia
In April 2008, Týr and other performers on the folk metal festival Paganfest were subject to accusations of being Nazis, racists and fascists from
the German BIFFF (Berliner Institut für Faschismus-Forschung und Antifaschistische Aktion) lead by Peter Kratz. Ville Sorvali of Moonsorrow and
Heri Joensen of Týr issued a joint video statement to refute these accusations, noting that the bands are in no way connected to far-right groups
and actually are against fascism.
Line-up
Heri Joensen - vocals, guitar
Terji Skibenćs - guitar
Gunnar H. Thomsen - bass guitar
Kári Streymoy - drums
Former members
Jón Joensen - guitar, vocals
Pól Arni Holm - vocals
Allan Streymoy - vocals
Ottó P. Arnarson - guitar
Albums
How Far to Asgaard (January 2002)
Eric the Red (June 27, 2003)
Re-released on March 24, 2006 - contains "God of War" and "Hail to the Hammer" - both from the demo
Ragnarok (September 22, 2006; October 10, 2006 for North America)
Land (May 30, 2008)
How Far to Asgaard - Re-release (November 4, 2008)
EPs/Demos/Singles
Demo (2000)
Ólavur Riddararós (October 2002)
Compilations
Tutl 25 ár - Live 2002 (contributed "Sand in the Wind") (2002) (Live)
The Realm of Napalm Records (CD/DVD) (On DVD, track #17 "Regin Smiđur" and #18 "Hail to the Hammer") (On CD, track #13 "Regin Smiđur") (2006)
Videos
"Hail to the Hammer" (2002)
"Ormurin Langi" (2002)
"Regin Smiđur" (2003)
"Sinklars Visa" (2008)
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