Welcome to a sonic journey beyond the stars. Today, on Metal War and Soundstoriesbyjo, we are honored to host Jesper Gräs from the Danish masters of atmosphere, Iotunn. Following their powerful performance at Rockwave Festival, the band returned to Greece for two exclusive headline shows: March 26th at Eightball Club in Thessaloniki and March 27th at Piraeus Club Academy in Athens. This tour marks a historic milestone as it kicks off their first-ever European headline run right here in Greece. Let’s dive into their cosmic universe.

Jo: Jesper, welcome back! We are counting down the days until March 26th, when you hit the stage at Eightball Club in Thessaloniki. How does it feel to kick off your first-ever headlining European tour right here in my hometown?
Jesper: It feels great and we are counting the days as well! We had our first concert in Greece last Summer at Rockwave and it was amazing. We travelled to Mount Olympus the days after and got a great feeling of Greece. This time we visit Thessaloniki and Athens and we can´t wait!

Jo: Your latest album, Kinship, is a massive sonic journey. After living with these songs for a while now, which track do you feel represents the heart of Iotunn in 2026?
Jesper: I think the heart of IOTUNN is in all our songs to be honest. But if I had to personally choose one song that has it the very most for me it would be Mistland.

Jo: You have a very unique way of blending progressive complexity with a cosmic atmosphere. When you were creating the new material, was there a specific theme or a vision that guided the sound of Kinship?
Jesper: When it comes to the whole creation of the guitars and the compositions with all the guitar layers which is the first thing my brother and I do when IOTUNN songs are made, I think that our vision has become increasingly clear. It is not something we have put into words.
It is something we can navigate towards and feel when we create music. A force and feeling which tells us which way we should go and if the music has the quality we aim for. This natural feeling is increasing in this matter and in the whole band.

Jo: Many fans describe your music as cinematic. When you compose, do you visualize the music as a story or a movie, and how difficult is it to translate those big studio layers into a raw live performance?
Jesper: I like that people do use this term about our music because inner nature landscapes, cosmic universes and deep feelings is something we judge our music from. We need these vast universes in our inner life to emerge and the deep feelings to emerge as part of listening to our music. If nothing happens on these matters when hearing our music in the writing process then we know that we need to do something else.
We always have had a good translation in taking our album music to the live stages I think.

Jo: Kinship deals with deep, interconnected themes. Is the concept of the album something that came from personal experiences, or is it a broader philosophical exploration of human nature?
Jesper: I think it is a combination of it all. The personal experiences with humans, society and nature and the broader philosophical exploration of everything is forever alive and connected and I see it all there in Kinship.

Jo: In your latest work, we hear a lot of experimentation with dynamics—moving from very heavy parts to almost ethereal melodies. How do you decide when a song needs to breathe and when it needs to explode?
Jesper: I think we are back again to the natural force that guides us. We just know when to have which is kind of energy and dynamic. So what counts as the guiding energies when we create a single riff or piece of music also counts when it comes to making the overall composition I think.

Jo: This tour is a huge milestone for the band. What was the biggest challenge in preparing a full headlining set compared to your previous supporting slots?
Jesper: It is a milestone, and it is tons of work. We are all engaged in this work as band members and we have the best of people around us who are also involved in the tour preparation work in every aspect. When we joined Dark Tranquility and Soen we were told what to do and the frame for everything regarding the tour. Now we are working that out ourselves. It is demanding, yes, but it is fun and exciting!

Jo: The Greek audience has a very special connection with atmospheric metal. What have you heard about the fans in Thessaloniki, and what kind of energy are you planning to bring to Eightball stage?
Jesper: I can’t tell much about the metal people of Thessaloniki specifically but I can tell that ever since we released Access All Worlds we´ve had so much love coming from Greek fans and the media. So we can´t wait to bring a headliner concert to Greece now and feel that love upfront. We will bring an energetic, epic and honest show to you.

Jo: Your music is filled with layers, vocal harmonies, and complex structures. What is the biggest sacrifice you had to make while translating the studio perfection of Kinship into a raw, honest live performance for this tour?
Jesper: I think I can answer that in general. The translation from album to the stage is something we are very aware of it. There are effects and stuff we can´t bring to the stage but this is well compensated with the energy and the live sound we bring.

Jo: Being a progressive band often means pushing boundaries. Do you feel that with your latest tracks you’ve reached a new level of musical freedom, or are there still territories are you afraid to explore?
Jesper: I think so. I think we are very driven by exploration of new worlds of music. And with this also comes something that I find so much freedom in – that we are not afraid. Fear is non existent in our creative environment in the band. Or at least it is so little that it is perhaps a small amount of energy which we thrive on also and put into something positive.

Jo: You are starting the tour in Greece and then heading across Europe. How do you maintain your focus and your spiritual connection with the music when you are on the road for so many weeks?
Jesper: Even though it is really tough to be on tour one thing which is amazing is that when you go onto stage and get into the music within yourself, with the band and with the audience that spiritual connection is established all by itself.

Jo: If you had to describe the Iotunn experience to someone who is coming to see you for the first time on March 26th, what three words would you use?
Jesper: Honest, vast and metal

Jo: What is your final message to the Greek fans who are waiting to join the Kinship ritual in Thessaloniki?
Jesper: IOTUNN can´t wait to see you all in front of the stage in Thessaloniki! This is the beginning of
22 shows across Europe. The first ever IOTUNN headliner tour. We are pleased to begin this journey with you in Thessaloniki. Go get your ticket now, bring all the metalheads you love and lets make this a night to remember!

Jesper

That was the story behind the sound of Iotunn. A band that proves music can be both crushing and spiritual. Don’t miss their ritualistic performances on March 26th (Thessaloniki) and March 27th (Athens)—it’s going to be a night to remember for every progressive metal fan. We want to thank Jesper Gräs for his time and his unique vision. Stay tuned to Metal War Radio as we celebrate our 3rd anniversary with more ‘war stories’ and deep-dive features. Stay heavy!”