Týr is the one-handed norse god of law and heroic glory.

Týr is also a band from the Faroe islands who do songs in Faroese - the language spoken on the Faroe islands and the closest living language to Old Norse.

In short, Týr is more viking metal than your daddy's viking metal band.

But, Tyr mixes songs about viking lore and mythology into their albums and come across more as folk metal rather than the kind of black viking metal you get with bands like Amon Amarth. So you end up with music, not just scraggly-bearded guys screaming at you.

Týr is comprised of:

• Heri Joensen - Lead singer and guitar
• Terji Skibenæs - Guitar
• Gunnar H. Thomsen - Bass
• Amon Djurhuus - Drums

Discography:

• Valkyrja (2013)
• The Lay of Thrym (2011)
• By the Light of the Northern Star (2009)
• How Far to Asgard re-released (2008)
• Land (2008)
• Ragnarok (2006)
• Eric the Red re-released (2006)
• Eric the Red (2003)
• How Far to Asgard (2002)
• Ólavur Riddararos (2002)

The band's drummer is the newest member, joining in 2013 after the longstanding Kári Streymoy stepped down due to a back injury.

I was introduced to Týr by my girlfriend a few years back and, after listening to them for several months, we were able to catch them in concert at Vancouver's own Rickshaw theatre. Seeing them live was a treat and we were able to chat with the band after their show, eventually even joining them in their tour bus for drinks. It was a blast - and we found out that Heri is a huge science nerd (the band's facebook page includes photos of him visiting the CERN supercollider) and a member of a Danish atheist group so we had a lot to talk about.

My outfit for the show

Heri and my girlfriend

The following year I saw Týr in concert at the Rickshaw alongside the Finnish band Korpiklaani. Dreads + Finnish Metal. Together at last.

Finally, I will be seeing Týr again when they play the Commodore Ballroom with Children of Bodom on Feb 24th, 2014.

So, there we go, finally something that isn't dorky. Take a photo, it won't be happening again anytime soon without me violating BCIT's TOC.

Cheers,
Adrian