The Icy Labyrinth – Lodowy Labirynt
A Photo Session in the Kasberg Mountains, Austria
These are a few photographs that I wanted to share with you in this gallery. They were taken during the production of the Graveland video clip “The Icy Labyrinth.”
From the very beginning, we knew that some of the scenes had to be recorded high in the mountains, surrounded by a winter landscape. We wanted to capture the extraordinary magic of the Alpine winter – the silence of the snowy spaces, the harshness of the mountains, the wind, and the light that gives these places an almost mystical character.
Aramath from the band Woodtemple helped me with the recordings. Since he lived in Austria, he knew many interesting locations where we could search for epic landscapes and powerful shots. He chose the places where we filmed and also took the photographs and recorded part of the material needed for the video.
At that time, we used my Canon EOS 60D camera – a model that recorded video in Full HD resolution. It was not professional film equipment, but back then it was completely enough for us. Above all, we had an idea, passion, and the desire to create something unique.
We were not only crossing snow-covered mountain and forest trails, but we were also exploring new paths in the world of video production.
The places you see in these photographs are located around Kasberg in Upper Austria. It is a beautiful mountain area, with its highest peak reaching 1747 meters above sea level. We arrived there at the perfect moment – the weather was almost made for filming.
Carrying our equipment and the weapons that added a lot of weight to our backpacks, we took the gondola lift and then continued on foot towards places that seemed to us the most silent, wild, and beautiful. We were searching for landscapes that could tell their own stories.
For most of the time, we were completely alone among the vast mountain landscape. Around us there was only silence, snow, wind, and the endless presence of nature. There were no crowds of tourists or people watching what we were doing – we felt as if we had discovered our own hidden fragment of the world.
It was this solitude that gave the place its extraordinary atmosphere. The mountains, forests, and winter landscape created a natural stage that no studio or artificial scenery could ever replace.
I do not remember the exact temperature anymore, but it was certainly below freezing. In these winter surroundings, I put on my Viking outfit and immediately we started recording video scenes and taking photographs.
Almost everywhere I looked, I saw places perfect for photographs. The atmosphere of this place awakened our imagination. Wearing my outfit, I felt like a part of this nature – as if time had moved back many centuries. The wind and the reflections of sunlight on the snow were almost hypnotic. Both of us felt that we were creating something extraordinary.
What I had once seen in the legendary photographs of Bathory for the album “Blood Fire Death”, I was now able to experience in my own way. This epic spectacle of nature, filled with symbolism and the spirit of metal, became reality. In this place, I could once again feel that same power – and even follow my own path further.
That memorable day, we managed to take photographs in several different locations. Some of them remained especially vivid in my memory.
One of them shows the moment when I emerge with my sword raised towards the sky. On my left there are rocks, on my right trees, and behind me stretches a valley with a beautiful view of distant mountain ranges.
This place had an extraordinary aura created by the wind and the rays of the sun, which was already quite low on the horizon. Behind me there was a vast open space and a steep mountain slope. I stood there on the edge, holding my shield and sword, wearing my helmet, looking at this epic landscape.
At that moment, I felt almost immortal. I could have taken one step forward and entered Valhalla immediately – such thoughts came to my mind.
Of course, this does not mean that there was no danger. My leather boots were very slippery on the snow. Several times I fell or sank deeper into the snow. However, strangely enough, I was not the one I was most worried about.
In one place where we were taking photographs, only a few skiers passing nearby noticed us. It was just a brief encounter with other people, because for most of the day we remained completely alone in the silence of the mountains.
I remember that I was actually more worried about them than myself – I thought that seeing a warrior with a sword, shield, and helmet suddenly standing among the snowy mountains could be such a surprise that someone might lose balance from the shock and get into trouble.
They certainly did not expect to see something like this. Austrians are familiar with Krampus, but a ghostly warrior from ancient sagas appearing among the Alpine snow is a completely different story. In the Austrian mountains, you are more likely to meet Krampus than a Viking carrying a sword and shield.
During the entire session, I did not feel cold at all. The outfit I wore was made of natural leather and wool, so it protected me very well against the freezing temperatures. The helmet also kept the warmth very effectively.
Aramath was much colder than me – unfortunately, there was no space left in our backpacks for a thermos with hot coffee or tea.
We did everything with only the two of us. There was no large crew, assistants, or professional production equipment. There was only an idea, a plan, and a place that gave us enormous strength.
We felt that we were not alone there – that the spirit of these mountains and forests was with us that day.
We finished the entire session by thanking the Gods for the weather and for the extraordinary atmosphere that surrounded us throughout the day.
This journey was exactly what I always wanted to show through Graveland. It was the true spirit of my band – the connection with nature, the memory of ancient times, the power of imagination, and the values that guide me in my creativity.
It was something completely different from the image that the mainstream has tried to create about me for many years. The true story of Graveland has always been connected with music, nature, and the search for one’s own path.
Photography and video material: Aramath (Woodtemple)
Location: Kasberg, Austria
Date of the session: 20 December 2013
Camera: Canon EOS 60D
Lens: Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS USM
Location: Kasberg, Austria
Date of the session: 20 December 2013
Camera: Canon EOS 60D
Lens: Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS USM
