At Eternity’s Gate: The Ascension of Kneel Before The Death

At Eternity’s Gate: The Ascension of Kneel Before The Death

The Helsinki extreme‑metal scene has been sharpening its edge for over a decade, but few bands embody its current momentum as fiercely as Kneel Before The Death. Blending deathcore brutality with sweeping orchestration and emotional weight, the band has carved out a sound that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. Vocalist Markus Raito, who joined in 2022, brings a commanding presence shaped by years in Finland’s underground and by the life experiences that forged his artistic voice. With major festival appearances, new singles, and a full‑length album on the horizon, Kneel Before The Death stand poised at the threshold of their most defining era yet.

We’re here with Markus from Kneel Before The Death. First off, where is the band based, and what’s your local music scene like?
We’re based out of Helsinki, Finland. The group started in 2015. Finland is the heavy‑metal country — probably the most metal bands per capita. But when it comes to extreme metal and our deathcore‑ish sound, the scene has really risen over the years. When I came in around 2012, it wasn’t that impressive. Now it’s looking really good.

You’re the newest member — you joined in 2022. How did you end up in the band?
I’d known the guys since the band formed. They were known in the Helsinki underground. I always felt that if there was a band I could contribute to vocally, it would be this one. When I saw they needed a new singer, I messaged them on Instagram. They asked me to perform some songs, we talked about goals, and everything clicked.

Let’s talk about your new singles. First up: “Red Sun Dawn.”
Musically, it goes back to old‑school deathcore vibes — lots of elements the band used to do, plus the newer approach from our debut album. Lyrically, it’s classic heavy‑metal storytelling: an evil emperor, dark spirits, unimaginable horror unleashed on a city. All the bad things happening.

And “The Weight of Truth”?
That one represents what Kneel Before The Death is now — big orchestrations, breakdowns, dramatics. Lyrically, it came from a series I was watching. The characters were dealing with extreme sadness and disappointment, and I connected that to things in my own life. It’s about when something you trusted doesn’t turn out the way you expected.

You’re performing at Nummirock with Black Veil Brides and Satyricon. What are you looking forward to?
It’s our festival debut, so expectations are high. We’ve been practicing hard to give our best performance yet. We want the crowd to go crazy.

Ken: Have you ever performed in the rain?
Mostly we play indoors, but rain or shine, we always give a good concert. And we have a Moshpit Guarantee — pretty self‑explanatory.

You’re also playing Tuska Festival with Megadeth and D‑A‑D. What does that mean to you?
Tuska is basically Finland’s Wacken. I’ve visited since I was a teenager and always dreamed of performing there. Now it’s happening — a dream come true for me and the band.

Has Kneel Before The Death ever played in the States?
Not yet. It’s on our bucket list. The industry is crowded, and flying overseas is expensive. Ideally, we’d join a bigger band’s tour. Europe, the U.S., Asia — all on the list.

If you could open for any band, past or present, who would it be?
Cheesy answer: Metallica. We all love them. I saw them in Finland in 2024 — the 360‑degree stage was insane.

Realistically, opening for Lorna Shore would be a major checkpoint for us.

I’d also love to perform with Brand of Sacrifice, Shadow of Intent, or old‑school deathcore giants like Chelsea Grin or Whitechapel.

Tell me about your band Violently Human.
That band is inactive — we went our separate ways. It was very different from Kneel Before The Death. I shared frontman duties with a clean singer, so the contrast was bigger.

The Violently Human EP Victims of the Game — what does that title mean?
I like listeners to interpret lyrics themselves, but the EP is about tragic fates. The title track is about the Rodriguez boy — a child with a terrible fate. Some people are more unfortunate and see darker sides of humanity. The title reflects that.

You also had another band, Spreading Paranoia. Is that still active?
No. About ten years ago, our drummer passed away during military service — a military vehicle hit a train. The project ended there. But we released the EP At Eternity’s Gate in his honor. We already had his drum parts recorded, so we could finish it for him.

Experiencing loss at a young age was shocking. It gave me a deeper appreciation for everything — festivals, albums, the music I’ve made. I became more grateful.

Are you involved in any other projects now?
No. I’m fully focused on Kneel Before The Death. If you want to be a full‑time musician, you need full‑time commitment. Features are fine, but another band isn’t possible right now.

With two new songs out, is there an EP or full‑length coming?
Full‑length. We’re working hard on it. More news soon.

Who produced the new songs?
Our drummer, Konsta. Modern technology lets us record everything in our practice space. The process was smooth — we know each other well and bounce ideas easily.

Any message for U.S. deathcore fans?
Check us out — Kneel Before The Death on all streaming platforms. And if you ever come to Finland, see us live if we’re playing near you. Stay heavy, your scene is great, and support your local bands.

In Conclusion

Kneel Before The Death stand at a powerful crossroads — one shaped by ambition, resilience, and the emotional depth Markus Raito brings to every chapter of their story. From festival dreams realized to the personal losses that forged his artistic voice, Markus channels both darkness and gratitude into the band’s evolving sound. With new music already turning heads and a full‑length album underway, Kneel Before The Death are poised to push Finland’s extreme‑metal scene onto an even larger stage. For fans worldwide, their ascent is only beginning — and the gate they’re stepping through leads somewhere unforgettable.

(Interview by Ken Morton)

Kneel Before The Death on Instagram