LISTEN: Mastodon Release New Song For The Game Of Thrones Vol. 2 Mixtape “White Walker”

Game of Thrones has managed to transcend the pop culture world into a new frontier of music with their Catch the Throne mix tapes featuring popular artists takes on themes of the show. Mastodon is amongst the latest of these artists to contribute to the mix tape with their ode to what’s beyond North “White Walker.”

Consequence of Sound reported on the release of the single. In anticipation of the upcoming fifth season, Game of Thrones has gone all in on thematic mix tapes featuring prominent artists crafting songs inspired by the series. The show has managed to break through the walls of nerdom and appeal to all kinds of viewers establishing a mass following. Mastodon joins a growing list of artists including Method Man, Snoop Dog and Talib Kweli contributing tracks to the mix tape.

While Mastodon is known for their shredding guitar work heavy metal sound, the song “White Walker” is more of a ballad of sorts: a somber lullaby to the eponymous villains of the north. The song maintains a Westeros feel while still showcasing the band’s major riffage. Vocally, singer Brent Hinds reverbrates his signature voice in a floating hauntingly beautiful way. The band does a great job in establishing an atmospheric tone to the song that feels as much like winter as you can get without resorting to Christmas carols. Clocking in at four and a half minutes, the song climaxes in a barrage of shrieking guitar and the vocal refrain “they climb down the wall to save us all” before fading out. A proper ending of hopelessness in an ode to a show that constantly toys with our emotions.