Graveland "The Wolf of Twilight" Live at Metal Threat Fest 2025
"The Wolf of Twilight" comes from Graveland's last full-length album, Hour of Ragnarok.
I consider it one of the strongest songs on that album, filled with fury, epic drama, and a dark atmosphere, dedicated to Fenrir, the harbinger of Ragnarök and the Wolf of Apocalypse. That is why I decided to include it in our live set. Alongside "Possessed by Steel", it perfectly represents the current face of Graveland.
Red lightning tore through the darkness. The earth trembled beneath Fenrir's fiery claws. The beast, imprisoned ages ago, shattered its red-hot chains and fetters. The Gods trembled as fear filled their hearts. Flames rose toward the heavens, and the roar of the enraged wolf echoed like the voice of a thousand exploding volcanoes.
There is no time left for farewells or final glances at the setting sun. The inevitable end is approaching. The last battle, after which no dawn shall ever come.
Graveland - Metal Threat Festival 2025
Graveland "The Night of Fullmoon" Live at Metal Threat Fest 2025
"The Night of Fullmoon" is the oldest Graveland song that we still perform live.
It originates from the demo "In the Glare of Burning Churches", which was released back in 1993!
It was born in a time when Graveland was shrouded in the mists of darkness, and Black Metal was something more than music to us – it was a cult, a religion, and a way of life.
Back then I listened to Black Metal created deep within the underground, and you can clearly hear that this song was influenced not only by the early works of Emperor, but also by Rotting Christ, Necromantia, Monumentum, Mortuary Drape, and all those dark hordes that dared to introduce keyboards and a haunting atmosphere into Black Metal.
For me, "church" keyboard sounds, associated with Black Masses and horror movie soundtracks such as "The Omen", were an essential attribute of true Black Metal in those days. On the "In the Glare of Burning Churches" demo, I used a church organ like keyboard sound that I had sampled myself from one of the early Dead Can Dance albums.
Today I use different sounds, which you can hear during this performance. That old Dead Can Dance sample was lost somewhere in the darkness of time...
Summoned from the depths of darkness and the abyss of a shadowy past, "The Night of Fullmoon" echoed once again from the stage, carrying with it the melodies and spirit of Graveland's roots, from the days when the flame of Black Metal burned brightest.
Graveland - Metal Threat Festival 2025
Graveland "Thousand Swords" Live at Metal Threat Fest 2025
I never planned for Graveland to become a live band. I could never imagine that something like this would one day be possible.
For many years I continued the band's path alone and had no intention of searching for other musicians. It wasn't until 2015 that people appeared who encouraged me to move in that direction. Even then, I never imagined that one day Graveland would perform in the USA, and at such a large and official festival!
That day finally came on October 3rd, 2025, at Metal Threat Fest 2025.
Today I present to you one of Graveland's most well-known songs, performed there that night - "Thousand Swords".
We filled the American air with the Pagan spirit and a fire that no force will ever extinguish!
Raise your swords!
Graveland - Metal Threat Festival 2025
Graveland "Born for War" Live at Metal Threat Fest 2025
During our performance at Metal Threat Fest 2025, the first song to hit the battlefield was "Born for War."
At most Graveland shows I use my Shure in-ear monitoring system, which helps me hear my own vocals clearly and maintain better control over them. This time, however, I didn't have it with me and had to adapt quickly to the situation.
Once the first notes rang out, there was no time to think. I had to immerse myself in the spirit of battle and let its energy take over. Our war chariot charged straight into the heart of the battlefield, and with it began a song, a symphony of clashing steel, war drums, and an unyielding will to fight.
Graveland - Metal Threat Festival 2025
Graveland - Hour of Ragnarok (Full album)