Crom (feat. Schwarzhandt) - 'Song to hall up high' (Bathory cover)

I know you watch over me
Father of all the past
And all that will ever be
You are the first and the last

The watcher of all that lives
The guardian of all that died

The one-eyed God way up high
Who rules my world and the sky

Northern wind take my song up high
To the Hall of glory in the sky
So its gates shall greet me open wide
When my time has come to die

Αυτό οφείλω να ομολογήσω πως μου... ξέφυγε! Οι (Γερμανοί, γιατί υπάρχουν κι άλλες μπάντες με αυτό το όνομα) Crom κυκλοφόρησαν προ τριμήνου ep υπό τον τίτλο "Into the Glory Land". Το ep περιλαμβάνει πέντε τραγούδια (δύο εκ των οποίων διασκευές) και "βγήκε" σε βινύλιο και ψηφιακή μορφή μέσω της δισκογραφικής εταιρείας From the Vaults.

Σύμφωνα με την μπάντα αποτελεί τον προπομπό του νέου της δίσκου "The Era of Darkness". Ακούμε την προσέγγισή τους στον ύμνο των Bathory "Song to hall up high", για την οποία η μπάντα διευκρινίζει:

«This is a very special cover of Bathorys classic "Song to hall up high". Long time friend Schwarzhandt and me decided to do a cover version of this great song in a very individual version. Schwarzhandts piano and synth styles fit perfectly with my voices. So I think we have done a very cool and unique version for all Bathory fans all over the world in honor of our idol Thomas "Quorthon" Forsberg...»

Το τραγούδι το πρωτογνωρίσαμε στον (πέμπτο) δίσκο των Bathory "Hammerheart" (δεύτερο τραγούδι της δεύτερης πλευράς για όσους έχουν το βινύλιο) που κυκλοφόρησε την άνοιξη του 1990. Ίσως ο σημαντικότερος δίσκος στην ιστορία του επικού heavy metal.

Οι (συγκεκριμένοι) Crom μας έρχονται από την Γερμανία. Σχηματίσθηκαν πριν από 25 χρόνια από τον Walter Grosse (υπογράφει ως Crom), ο οποίος προερχόταν από τον black metal χώρο (βλ. Dark Fortress, Sindecade) και τα πρώτα χρόνια είχε αναλάβει τα πάντα. Έχουν κυκλοφορήσει τρεις "ολοκληρωμένους" δίσκους, τρία demos και δύο EPs...

Δελτίο τύπου: «Welcome to Crom new chapter. “Into The Glory Land“ is the first output since Walter “Crom” Grosse (ex-Dark Fortress) signed his epic heavy metal project to From the Vaults, and only a foretaste for what will follow later in the middle of 2022.

Two brand new songs of pure epic heavy metal and three emotional acoustic tracks will show both sides of the music Crom is standing for since 1997. “Into The Glory Land” EP is the logical further development since the last output “When Northmen Die” and the first official release with Crom’s first complete lineup ever.

Whilst playing with German melodic black metallers Dark Fortress, Walter “Crom” Grosse began working on a solo-project that was worlds apart from the raw aggression normally associated with the genre in which he started.

The more the work progressed, the more Grosse realised that he much preferred to forge his own musical path, a path where melody is the defining factor, and, following on from the positive response to his debut EP “The Fallen Beauty”, he decided to focus his attention solely on the band that had become Crom.

Grosse has never made any secret of his admiration and respect for Quorthon. Like many other musicians, he is influenced by the epic melodies of the legendary Bathory, but, unlike many, he has allowed the influence to subtly shade, rather than define, the musical content.

Crom has an individuality that can only be described as, well… “Crom”! Delicate acoustic guitars are counter-pointed by crushing metal riffs. A powerful vocal performance is accompanied by melodies that are in turn poignant or majestic.

With his use of choirs, epic arrangements, skilful transitions, and stirring melodies, Grosse is able to conjure up images of mighty warriors and lost loves; epic struggles and tragic personal losses; despair and ultimate salvation.

After three albums (“Vengeance” in 2008, “Of Love And Death” in 2011 and “When Northmen Die” in 2017) Crom is now ready for a new chapter in its career, signing a new record deal with From The Vaults and releasing the new EP “Into The Glory Land”.»

Band: Crom
Country of origin: Germany
Location: Landshut, Bavaria
Formed in: 1997
Genre: Viking/Power Metal
Lyrical themes: Epic Battles, Despair
Years active: 1997-present

Lyric video: "Song to hall up high"
Album: "Into the Glory Land"
Type: EP
Release date: December 3rd, 2021
Label: From the Vaults
Format: Vinyl, Digital

Track listing:
1. Into the Glory Land 04:09
2. Riding into the Sun 04:33
3. The Hanging Tree (James Newton Howard cover) 02:58
4. Wings of Fire (acoustic version) 05:04
5. Song to Hall Up High (Bathory cover) 04:27

Band members:
Crom - Vocals, Guitars, Bass
Thomas Hagl - Drums
Stefan Peyerl (Steve) - Guitars (lead)

Guest/Session:
Schwarzhandt: Piano, Synth

Miscellaneous staff:
Kris Verwimp - Cover art

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