Týr

There are countless Viking and Pagan images used in heavy metal culture but there are few that really seem to know their true meaning. Týr, a heavy metal band from the Faroe Islands, are one of the few who really appreciate what the symbolism represents and how best to covey it in their music.

I first heard of Týr through a very metal friend of mine, Ed, who happens to spend a lot of his time running around fields with sword, shield and an army of Viking enactors, so I have it on a good authority that the subjects that Týr cover in their albums are accurate to the Norse legends and traditions that are the subjects. It was Ed who also lent me their album "By The Light Of The Northern Star" which very effectively blends elements of folk music with good old heavy metal. I can imagine the lyrics be perfect to chant and drink flagons of mead to. Songs like "By The Sword In My Hand" and the title track "By The Light Of The Northern Star" both feel very epic but still a personal story at the time - though I stagger to think that it's from personal experience.

It's hard to think of who to compare heir music to without being too obscure, so instead I've embedded a YouTube video of my favourite song of theirs that I've heard, "By The Sword In My Hand"