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.
Lucifer
:Of the Wand & the Moon: Lyrics
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Lucifer inflame this heart
Lucifer embrace this soul
For I am fallen just like you
I gave in
To lifes bitter promises
Yes I gave in
Lucifer embrace my soul
I've lost everything - all I love
Lucifer we share the dark
We are brothers you and I
I gave in
To lifes bitter promises
Yes I gave in
But not again
Lucifer share this wine
Bitter and black like my love
Lucifer share my wine
One last toast before I go
I gave in
To lifes bitter promises
Yes I gave in
But not again
The song "Lucifer" by Of the Wand & the Moon is a desperate plea to the fallen angel to comfort, empower, and redeem the singer, who has hit rock bottom and lost everything. The first stanza, "Lucifer walk with me, Lucifer inflame this heart, Lucifer embrace this soul, for I am fallen just like you," expresses the singer's desire to connect with the Devil and his dark, rebellious spirit. By calling himself "fallen," the singer suggests that he has disobeyed God, been cast out of Eden, and suffered a similar fate as Lucifer, who was once an angel of light but became the embodiment of evil after his prideful rebellion. The singer may identify with Lucifer's refusal to submit to authority and his quest for autonomy and enlightenment, even if it meant being condemned to Hell.
The second and third stanzas, "I gave in to life's bitter promises, yes, I gave in, but not again. Lucifer embrace my soul, I've lost everything - all I love. Lucifer, we share the dark, we are brothers you and I," reveal the singer's regret over his past mistakes, his determination to resist further temptations, and his longing for Lucifer's spiritual kinship and empathy. The lyrics suggest that the singer has suffered from addiction, betrayal, and heartbreak, which have led to his isolation and despair. He turns to Lucifer as a kindred spirit who can empathize with his pain and offer him the strength to face his demons and hardships. The repeated refrain "I gave in to life's bitter promises, yes I gave in, but not again" can be interpreted as a vow to overcome the trials and tribulations of life and to embrace a more authentic, rebellious, and creative existence with Lucifer's guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
Lucifer walk with me
The singer is requesting Lucifer's company and guidance.
Lucifer inflame this heart
The singer wants Lucifer to ignite their passion and desire.
Lucifer embrace this soul
The singer is asking for comfort and support from Lucifer for their troubled soul.
For I am fallen just like you
The artist acknowledges their own fall from grace and relates to Lucifer's own fall from heaven.
I gave in
The artist admits to succumbing to life's difficulties.
To lifes bitter promises
The singer was let down by the harsh realities of life.
Yes I gave in
The singer confirms their surrender to life's hardships.
But not again
The artist promises to not give in again or lose hope for the future.
Lucifer we share the dark
The artist suggests he and Lucifer have a common bond or understanding in the darkness of their lives.
We are brothers you and I
The artist feels a kinship with Lucifer based on their shared experiences.
Lucifer share this wine
The singer offers his drink to Lucifer, symbolizing a bond of communion and friendship.
Bitter and black like my love
The artist describes his relationship as dark and filled with sorrow.
One last toast before I go
The singer thinks that this may be their final interaction with Lucifer and suggests a farewell toast.
Contributed by Sophie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.