Artist: THYRFING
Album: FARSOTSTIDER (CD)

Year: 2005
Media type: CD

Epic Viking Metal. THRYFING was founded by PANTHEON members vocalist Thomas Vanaanen, guitarist Patrick Lindgren and bass player Kimmy Sjolund. Vanaanen would also be active as drummer for Trad Metal band WYVERN. For the debut demo session ‘Solen Svartnar’ (‘Sun Turns Black’) the band drafted second guitarist Vintras of FUNERAL MIST. A second cassette ‘Hednaland’ led to a deal with the Dutch Hammerheart label and 1998 album ‘Thyrfing’ produced by Tommy Tagtgren and DISMEMBER’s Fred Estby.

Vintras would depart in favour of ANCIENT WINDS and CONSTRUCDEAD man Henrik Svegsjo. 1999 proved an important year for the group as it included their first series of European shows playing alongside NILE, VADER, CRYPTOPSY and SIX FEET UNDER. The band also performed at the Dynamo Festival in Holland.

Grim Rune Productions would reissue the band’s first demo on a 7" single leading up to the release of second album ‘Valdr Galga’. Further touring on the European mainland had THYRFING sharing stages with SHADOWBREED and PRIMORDIAL.

Versions of THRYFING’s 2000 album ‘Urkraft’ sees an inspirational cover version of GARY MOORE’s ‘Over The Hills And Far Away’. Guest vocals came courtesy of SINS OF OMISSION members Toni Kocmut with session guitars from Martin Persson. During 2001 THYRFING members Henke Svegsjo, Jocke Kristensson and Thomas Vanaanen, in alliance with guitarist Kristoffer Dahl, forged the Death Metal side concern WINDS. This project witnessed a reversal of regular roles with Svegsjo as lead vocalist, Kristensson on bass and Vanaanen manning the drums.

European dates for November 2002 would be announced with the band, promoting the 'Vannsinesvisor' album, forming up a strong package bill comprising SPETIC FLESH, DISMEMBER and SINISTER. The band later formed up part of the 'Generation Armageddon' touring festival for a leg of European shows in May of 2003, forming a live alliance with BLOOD RED THRONE, SEPTIC FLESH, PRIMORDIAL and ANCIENT RITES.

Guitarist Henrik Svegsjo split from the band in October, heading out on an extended trip to New Zealand. THYRFING signed to Regain Records in early 2005 and entered EMI Studio in Stockholm in April with producer Henrik Edenhed to cut a new album 'Farsotstider' ("Times of Plague"). US live work saw the band acting as co-headliners at the 21st January 2006 'Heathen Crusade Metalfest' at Star Central in Columbia Heights, Minnesota alongside Finland's MOONSORROW, Ireland's PRIMORDIAL, NOVEMBERS DOOM, KEEN OF THE CROW, THE CHASM, TYPHUS and TODESBONDEN.

TRACKLIST:

1. Far Еt Helvete
2. Jag Spеr Fardarv
3. Farsotstider
4. Host
5. Sjalavrak
6. Elddagjamning
7. Baldersbеlet
8. Tiden Laker Intet

LINE-UP:

Thomas Vanaanen (vocals)
Patrick Lindgren (guitar)
Henrik Svegsjo (guitar)
Kimmy Sjolund (bass)
Pete Lof (keyboards)
Jocke Kristensson (drums)