Named after one of the lowest, driest, and hottest places on Earth, Kuolemanlaakso ("Death Valley") took its first breath in the Spring of 2010. The band originally started out as a one-man project of guitarist Laakso (Chaosweaver). Much influenced by Eparistera Daimones of Triptykon, Laakso's mission was to create an utterly dark and heavy album, full of catchy hooks and originality: a tragically beautiful world all its own.

It was clear from the start that the lyrics would be recited in Finnish. They were inspired by Eino Leino's (1878-1926) poem collection Helkavirsiä, the mystique of the Finnish forests, and the morbidity of the modern world.