The Gate
Blood Red Eagle Lyrics

The opening lines of “The Gate” by Blood Red Eagle narrates the march of the Viking warriors to the battlefield. They march gallantly and dutifully because it has been foretold that they will do so by the All-Father. The smoke that envelopes the battlefield symbolizes the chaos and destruction that is taking place on it and the sacrifices of the soldiers. The soldiers were willing to die for their people and for the will of the All-Father’s son. The chorus talks about the call of Valhalla, the heaven-like abode of fearless warriors in Norse mythology, where they will be reunited with their kin and join other great warriors in the afterlife. The Valkyrie also plays a prominent role in Norse mythology, as they are messengers of death and collect fallen warriors to convey them to Valhalla.

In the second verse of the song, the Blood Red Eagle talks about their loyalty to the beliefs of Wotan and the willingness to go to the worst parts of Hel. Hel is the Norse goddess of death and the underworld, which also acts as the name of the Norse underworld. They followed these beliefs and marched to war without hesitation, even in the most unfavorable times like in the dead of winter. They fought fiercely and until their last breath, not for themselves or personal gain but for the common good, for the people they fought for. Through the dust and chaos, the singer sees the Valkyries arrive, and they would gladly follow these messengers of death to Valhalla. The last line talks about how the author's life-long struggle has now ended, and his death was his victory for the cause he fought for.