After irreconcilable differences with his previous musical project, Saturnus, Larsen began writing music of a different vein, similar in style to his neofolk influences but very different than the doom metal he had previously created.
In 1999, the debut :Of the Wand & the Moon: album was released, entitled Nighttime Nightrhymes. Characterized by folk songs with themes ranging from expressions of love, loss, joy and ancestral Germanic paganism, the album was interspersed with experimental dark ambient pieces and tribal drumming. The album marked a new entry for Denmark in a new wave of Germanic post-industrial folk projects alongside contemporaries such as Forseti and Sonne Hagal.
2001 saw the release of a second :Of the Wand & the Moon: release entitled :Emptiness:Emptiness:Emptiness:, with refined production and a continued but expanded sound from previous work, the album further cemented the reputation of the project. A live version of :Of the Wand & the Moon: also debuted in 2001, beginning a long series of shows over the next few years.
After the release of a split album with Sol Invictus and a few vinyl singles, a collection of b-sides was released entitled Lucifer in 2003. Themed after its namesake yet featuring a photograph of a surprised cat on its cover, the record included various outtakes and unreleased tracks from the :Emptiness:Emptiness:Emptiness: period. A box set was also released featuring vinyl versions of previous recordings, as well as exclusive material.
A single entitled "Hail Hail Hail" was released in 2005 as a preview of upcoming material, showcasing a more experimental side of the project and making use of Arabic instrumentation for the title track. This was followed by a full length album entitled Sonnenheim which met to positive critical and fan reviews alike, marking the project as one of the major groups within its genre. The album further showcased themes of Germanic paganism, as exemplified by the title track "Nighttime in Sonnenheim" and introduced a more extroverted and thematically martial side of the project, with considerably less focus on the romantic love songs that had previously been hallmarks of the band's material.
Like Wolves
:Of the Wand & the Moon: Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pure at heart purest will
Raising fires one with self
And for a while things doesn′t seem
Dishonest and empty
And however this world may be
Be on guard take good heed
And choose carefully
Like wolves we plunge into the night
Like wolves we plunge into the night
The song "Like Wolves" by Of the Wand & the Moon is an anthem for those who are willing to embrace their animalistic nature and take a leap of faith into the unknown. The opening line, "Like wolves we plunge into the night," sets the tone for the rest of the song, suggesting that the singer and their comrades are prepared to venture into the darkness without hesitation. The lyrics suggest that this journey is not only about self-discovery but also about becoming one with nature without compromising one's integrity. The line "Pure at heart purest will" indicates that the individuals on this journey are motivated by their moral compass and a desire to do what they think is right.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the journey is not an easy one, and the world can be "dishonest and empty." The line "And choose carefully" reminds the listeners that there are consequences to every action and decision made, and they should choose wisely. The last line of the chorus, "We tread with stealth," suggests that the journey is not to be taken lightly and requires focus, intention, and mindfulness.
Overall, "Like Wolves" is an ode to the power of embracing one's primal and intuitive nature, while still maintaining a sense of morality and purpose. Through the metaphor of a wolf pack venturing into the night, the song encourages listeners to take risks and embrace the unknown, but to do so with caution, authenticity, and a clear sense of direction.
Line by Line Meaning
Like wolves we plunge into the night
Similar to the way wolves venture into the darkness, we too immerse ourselves into the unknown.
Pure at heart purest will
We approach this journey with a sincere intention and a clear conscience.
Raising fires one with self
We ignite a fire within ourselves, becoming one with our own passions and desires.
And for a while things doesn't seem
Dishonest and empty
In this moment, we experience a brief respite from the deceit and hollowness of the world.
And however this world may be
Be on guard take good heed
And choose carefully
Despite the challenges and trials that may arise, we must remain vigilant and make wise choices.
We tread with stealth!
We move forward with caution and discretion, navigating through the darkness as quietly as possible.
Writer(s): Coby Chatzidimitriou, Daniel Hickey, Roman Koester, Joshua Lording, Daniel Sharp
Contributed by Emma F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.