Woe was created in 2007 by multi-instrumentalist Chris Grigg with a simple goal: raw, melodic black metal without frills, extreme technique, or gimmicks. An early demo and 7″ caught the ear of the underground American scene, leading to the release of the first full-length A Spell for the Death of Man on independent label Stronghold Records in 2008. Still a solo project, Chris and Woe impressed critics and listeners with its blend of traditional black metal and echos of the DIY punk and post-hardcore scenes in which Chris grew up.