Týr (band)

Týr
Týr performing live at Wacken Open Air in August 2010
Background information
Origin	Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
Genres	Viking metal, folk metal, progressive metal
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Napalm Records Tutl Metal Blade Records 2012-Present
Associated acts	Heljareyga, Dark Rune
Website	http://www.tyr.fo/
Members	Heri Joensen Terji Skibenæs Gunnar H. Thomsen
Past members	Jón Joensen Pól Arni Holm Allan Streymoy Ottó P. Arnarson Kári Streymoy Amon Djurhuus

Týr (pronounced [tʰʊɪːɹ]) is a Faroese folk metal band. Their subject matter revolves almost entirely around Viking lore, mythology, and history, taking their name from the Týr, god of law and justice in Norse religion. They signed a worldwide deal with Austria's Napalm Records in early 2006, while signed to the Faroese record label Tutl. In September 2012, they signed a three-album deal with Metal Blade Records.

Before Týr, Heri Joensen and Gunnar H. Thomsen formed their first band; Cruiser, at the age of seventeen. 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 formed in January 1998. Heri Joensen met his old bandmate, Kári Streymoy, at a party in Copenhagen. 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, bassist Gunnar H. Thomsen, expanding the duo into a trio. In 2001, guitarist Terji Skibenæs joined the band.

They began making music which was heavily inspired by Norse mythology, kvæði (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.

They performed at the Ragnarök Festival in 2007 and 2009.