Thyrfing is a viking metal band from Sweden, named after the sword Tyrfing from Norse mythology.
History Patrik Lindgren (guitar), Jocke Kristensson (drums), Peter Löf (keyboard) and Kimmy Sjölund (bass guitar) formed Thyrfing in 1995. They were interested in Northern mythology and the Viking. After two demo tapes that received a positive response in the underground scene, Thyrfing signed to Dutch record label Hammerheart Records in 1997. The band recorded their debut album in Sunlight Studio in Stockholm. They released the album in March 1998. Thyrfing recorded their second album, which took on a symphonic approach, at Abyss Studios. Henke Svegsjö from Winds joined as a live guitarist. They recorded Urkraft with Tommy Tägtgren, and released it in August 2000. That year, the band went on 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 producer Daniel Bergstrand to record Vansinnesvisor (). They released the album in July the following year
To support the album, Thyrfing played two shows during the winter (for Freedom Call and Dismember) in Stockholm, and headlined a small 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 18 April 2005 to record the album Farsotstider ("Times of Plague"), which they released on 21 November 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 13 March 2007, the official Thyrfing site announced that Thomas Väänänen (vocals) and Henrik Svegsjö (guitars) had left the band. Jens Rydén joined as vocalist. The band continued with one guitarist.
In October 2008, Thyrfing released their album Hels vite. Their latest album, Vanagandr was released 27 August, 2021.
Members Current members Jens Rydén – vocals (2007–present) Patrik Lindgren – guitars (1995–present) Fredrik Hernborg – guitars (2008–present) Joakim Kristensson – bass (2012–present), keyboards (2014–present), drums (1995–2012), vocals (1995–1996) Dennis Ekdahl – drums (2012–present)
Former band members Peter Löf – keyboards (1995–2014) Kimmy Sjölund – bass (1995–2012) Thomas Väänänen – vocals (1996–2006) Vintras – guitars (1998) Henrik Svegsjö – guitars (1998–2007)
Timeline
Discography Studio albums Thyrfing (1998) Valdr Galga (1999) Urkraft (2000) Vansinnesvisor (2002) Farsotstider (2005) Hels vite (2008) De Ödeslösa (2013) Vanagandr (2021)
Compilation albums Hednaland (CD) (1999)
Demos Solen svartnar (Demo) (1995) Hednaland (Demo) (1996)
External links Official website Encyclopedia Metallum page