2019 will be a huge year for Faroese folk metal band Týr
On March 8th, Týr will release their eighth full-length, Hel, via Metal Blade Records, and in April the band is set to perform in France and Switzerland. The band is also set to perform in various countries around Europe later this year, including in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
However, Sea Shepherd Switzerland has apparently vowed to make life as difficult as possible for the Faroese metal band.
The organization has namely urged fans to boycott the band and write to concert halls in France and Switzerland and call for the cancellation of the band‘s upcoming appearances.
According to Sea Shepherd Switzerland, one Týr show – in Marseille on April 10 – has already been cancelled.
This comes after Týr vocalist/guitarist Heri Joensen has openly defended the practice of whale hunting in the Faroe Islands.
Sea Shepherd Switzerland writes on Facebook: “We encourage you to respectfully share your disagreement about the coming of this group on social networks, their pages and the pages of the concert halls that host them. The Viking Universe and the tradition celebrated by the group cannot justify the bloody killing of thousands of dolphins, yet strictly protected in Europe.
“Contrary to what we have responded to the docks in Lausanne, it is impossible to completely distinguish between the participation of the singer of tyre (Týr) in these massacres and his work as an artist as he puts his morbid penchant forward on stage, to Through songs like “Grindavísan” that he dedicated to captain Paul Watson as a provocation, song where he does the apology of the grind. Let us not give this group of forums in Europe to promote these massacres of another age. Music should promote a better world and not be the voice of acts of cruelty.”
The organization declares conclusively: “Stop the concerts of tyre – stop the massacres of the faroe islands.”
Last year, Heri Joensen was approached and insulted by a group of anti-whaling activists in Brooklyn, New York City. Týr had played a concert at Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory where the band’s lead singer was subjected to vitriolic taunts.
“You fucking animal abuser. You fucking whale killer. You should be ashamed of yourself. Fuck you,” someone was heard screaming at Heri Joensen.
Further reading: Winter Park police officers order Sea Shepherd supporters to leave after anti-Týr protest
