Heavy Metal Comes to Middle-earth with ‘The Last Ballad of Damrod’ From THE RINGS OF POWER Season 2 Soundtrack

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As a long-time fantasy enthusiast and heavy metalhead, I can confidently say that the fusion of these two worlds is nothing short of epic. The inclusion of “The Last Ballad of Damrod” in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 is not just a clever move by composer Bear McCreary, but a testament to the enduring bond between fantasy and heavy metal.

Some viewers might initially perceive the addition of a potent Heavy Metal tune to Middle-earth‘s realm as puzzling. However, Tolkien’s works and the broader fantasy genre have had a profound impact on Heavy Metal music for years. In fact, this genre has been cherished by numerous fantasy enthusiasts. Consequently, it isn’t perplexing but rather an apt closure for composer Bear McCreary to incorporate Heavy Metal into the soundtrack of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season two with the forceful “The Last Ballad of Damrod.” Notably, Damrod is a novel adversary introduced in The Rings of Power season two, a troll unlike any we’ve encountered before.

You can listen to the Hill-troll’s anthem below.

From the powerful blowing horns one might associate with orcs right into Heavy Metal screaming, we admit we are pretty obsessed. We’ll definitely be head-banging to this Metal beat all throughout The Rings of Power season two. We can’t make out all the lyrics, but we’ll be sure to report back when we do. But obviously, this jam isn’t really about the words, but about the feeling of intense darkness and chaos it evokes. Just how “The Last Ballad of Damrod” fits into The Rings of Power season two, we’ll have to wait and see. But it sure does seem like a tune that goes very well with a battle scene.

In “The Last Ballad of Damrod,” McCreary gathered a stellar heavy metal lineup featuring Jens Kidman from MESHUGGAH on vocals and Gene Hoglan, famously known for his work with Dethklok, behind the drums, among others. Indeed, this track has the fierce spirit of a formidable Lord of the Rings troll, particularly one as powerful as Damrod. As McCreary puts it, “Kidman sings like an accomplished violinist plays.”

As a die-hard fan of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, I’m excited to dive deeper into the crafting process behind season two’s extraordinary soundtrack. To learn more about this, you can watch the video above. And if you’re curious about how metal and Middle-earth intertwine, hop over to the Twitter thread below for some fascinating insights!

By examining different subgenres within metal music, you’ll find that the works of J.R.R. Tolkien have consistently left a significant impact on songs, as seen in various tracks across Blind Guardian albums. This influence extends to entire albums such as ‘Nightfall in Middle-earth’ by Blind Guardian, and even band names like Burzum and Amon Amarth draw inspiration from his works.

— Will Sherwood (@MrWillSherwood) August 8, 2024

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but daydream about the potential formation of a Metal band in Mordor during The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season two! Imagine Adar and Sauron jamming together, their powerful energies resonating through the dark land. The soundtrack for The Rings of Power’s second season, including a metal track, will be available on August 23. Meanwhile, brace yourself as the series itself premieres on August 29.

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2024-08-08 23:02