This is what Rammstein's Du Hast would sound like being covered by Viking shamen

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By ( Metal Hammer ) published

Nordic folk heroes Skáld give Rammstein's industrial metal classic Du Hast a folky makeover

Rammstein/Skald
(Image credit: Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images/Die Frau)

We love a good cover, particularly when it manages to completely reinvent a beloved song. Rammstein aren't strangers to unique cover versions - just last year we got a Deutschland on a hurdy gurdy - but Nordic folk group sensation Skáld are offering a completely reinvented version of the industrial metal classic as their latest single. 

In keeping with their Viking-inspired folk stylings, Skald's version of the song is communicated purely through traditional instrumentation that sees chanted vocals and subtle strings completely change the tone of the song to something you could imagine being chanted acapella in a football stadium. 

What's more, it works incredibly well. The song's massive percussive beat is still front and centre, but Skáld give Du Hast an extra sense of poignance and moodiness that makes it feel like the kind of song you'd use to psyche yourself up for a day's raiding. 

We shouldn't be surprised; although they haven't been around as long as fellow folk scene leaders Wardruna and Heilung, Skáld have wracked up millions of streams on Spotify with three albums to date, while their fourth, Huldufólk, is due for release on January 20. 

The cover also goes to show just how indominitable the songwriting of Rammstein was at this point in their careers. released as a single from 1997's Sehnsucht, Du Hast helped propel the German group onto the global consciousness, and has since been featured on a number of game and movie soundtracks including The Matrix and Guitar Hero. 

To date, Sehnsucht is the only Rammstein album to be certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA, achieving its award in July 1999. 

Rich Hobson
Rich Hobson

Staff writer for Metal Hammer, Rich has never met a feature he didn't fancy, which is just as well when it comes to covering everything rock, punk and metal for both print and online, be it legendary events like Rock In Rio or Clash Of The Titans or seeking out exciting new bands like Nine Treasures, Jinjer and Sleep Token.