Old Gods of Asgard The Game Awards 2023 REACTION | Herald of Darkness Live Performance 

I’m not gonna lie, when Sam Lake came out and started dancing, I got a little choked up. It just makes me really happy seeing a creator being able to fully realize his vision, be celebrated for it, and then get to dance up on stage in front of a crowd with the character he created. It’s just a very nice thing to see.

The singing is at least 100% live. And I know they CAN play like this live too. I’ve been to a Poets of the Fall concert and it was amazing.

Sam Lakes goofy smile clearly loving every second of being able to pull this 5th wall breaking moment in gaming off is just perfect. I love it so much.

I cried too. This was an incredible performance! I wish there were more games nowadays that connected with us beyond just the gameplay.

This lady is expressing how a lot of us were feeling when that performance was going on--sheer enjoyment, shock, tears, and celebratory happiness. I'm so glad we all were a part in seeing this performance happen. Congratulations to Remedy and Alan Wake 2!

No shame in tears of happiness. Fans who waited 13 YEARS, some grew into men and women from kids, some aged in life while some passed away (Alice Wake's actor Brett Madden comes to mind) this was a moment when the living and the dearly departed that loved this project from Sam Lake, came together for a unified celebration. Rejoice !!!

Fun fact: Matthew Porretta is also an accomplished Broadway actor. He's one of the few professional voice actor who is 100% experience with singing on stage.

The huge horror fan and theater geek in me felt like a little kid watching this. Easily the best part of the show. They killed the entire performance.

Such a genuine and heartwarming reaction!! 😭❤

I watched it hundreds of times. I still watch it again with the same excitement.

Poets of the fall are so fucking awesome as always

This is not videogame.. this is one of the greatest art forms❤️

This is totally a normal reaction to such an incredible moment for gaming.

Thank GOD I wasn't the only one weeping at this performance! ❤️

Gutted that AW2 didn't win GOTY, but BG3 was worthy winner. I loved that Sam Lake and the Remedy team is truly enjoying themselves on the stage

This is what art is for. To connect us and make us feel even if we don´t know each other

Absolutely flabbergasted by how great this performance was. I had heard some of the actors were in town, but I dared not dream that they would actually do the song and dance live. Super fucking amazing and funny that they did this. Absolutely magical.

this made my day, first seeing Sam Lake happiness, and yours. thank you

I'm pretty sure the singing was live as David Harewood's lines at the start are a little muted and they had to boost the volume so that you could hear it better. I'm still trying to figure out how they sneaked Sam Lake onto stage for the final piece - one minute he's not there and the next he's center stage.

I teared up playing We Sing, teared up watching the performance, then teared up watching your amazingly genuine and infectious reaction. I have such a profound happiness for Sam and everyone involved. AW2 was at least MY personal GOTY. Remedy are truly something special!

What a memorable moment! Even Matthew was dancing at the end! "So meta!"

This was totally my reaction, after so many years hoping to see the Gods live I was so fucking thrilled

Your reaction was so emotional. I didn't feel any different when I saw it. The amount of love that went into this project is unique. You made me smile with your reaction. Thank you ☺

There might be a backing thrack for part of the instruments that are missing on stage, but the singing and playing is 100% live. I have seen poets live recently and they sound amazing. Plus you can notice the vocals are not 100% the same on certain phrases as the studio version.

your reactions are so genuine and lovely, thank you!

I'm so happy that AW2 won so many awards! Her reaction so authentic and heart warming!

I keep coming back to this reaction 😂❤ It's my favorite one! Huge golden retriever vibes

you can see the sheer joy on Sam's face, he's having the time of his life

I love both your and Sam Lake's joy, I had huge grin on my face watching this live and I still have it now, just wow, brilliant

I cried too. it was beautiful

The best moment of Tga,so AWESOME 🤘🏻

Dude I cried too, I'm crying right now after watching this reaction which is similar to my own reaction after watching this shit five times today. So much love behind this creative team, the art they created truly touches me to the core. Hekimae really echoes my personal reaction to this art which is why I subscribe and will continue to support her in the future

hahaha, it's been 3 months since you uploaded this, but I had to come back and listen to more Herald of Darkness. So addicted to this song, and you're reaction is super genuine. Thanks for sharing this 😁😁

If I get bad day, rarely do, Hopefully I remember that hekimae was so happy with this performance that it's contagious. Good one

my god this is so wholesome. i also was hit as hard, which surprised me as ive never played either of the alan wake games. confused tears of joy for me

I absolutely LOVED your reaction 😍🥹😭! This performance was the greatest ever!!! It made me so happy seeing they were all on the stage and Sam Lake being so happy dancing was wonderful 🥰🥲.

Glad I was there to share this!

This reaction made my night. Thank you for sharing your genuine and amazing self with us.

I think this is so emotional for so many viewers because video games are still such a sub-culture in many ways -- despite how much those of us who play know that this is the real form of entertainment, art, talent ...I could go on. This was a moment where generations who've grown up with video games and absolutely adore their evolution as the frontrunner of art and entertainment finally felt the connection and celebrative energy that's plastered all over Sam's face. Unlike Hollywood actors/writers/directors, I think gamers feel more connected to the creators, there is less "distance" between us all, as we're all part of the dark horse culture. This moment made me understand why my grandparents and parents would get choked up when their favorite musical numbers were selected to play at the Oscars/Emmys. It just feels damn good to celebrate artistic achievement.

I was watching the live stream, and I'm glad you posted this part to RU-vid. It was a great moment from the game awards, and your reactions made it even better. 🍿

THIS WAS EPIC!!!! Loving Alan Wake II

No need to feel sorry for your tears, I also felt so happy that I shed some tears. In my opinion the best scene ingame in videogame history so far. The BEST.

I'm just saying. Games are supposed to be fun. Making games should be fun. Life should be fun. Remedy is fun. Sam is fun.

SO TRUE! 🤘😎🤘👍☕️🦉😘👌🤌🫰🎷🤙🫶🚦🌲⛰️🍸🗿👉♾️👹

This moment made my whole year!! Everything from Alan Wake 2 was incredible!!

I had exact same reaction to this live, my gosh this was so goooood! I was so happy

I cried, we cried, we were overwhelmed!

Loved your reaction. That feels! A geniune fan.

Yes. If there's a word to describe what I feel everytime I watch this, the word is HAPPINESS

Maybe this was another attempt of Alan to leave the dark place, are we all figments of his story?!

I'm pretty sure my reaction was the same as yours! Well, with the exception that I immediately knew it was pre-recorded instruments but was happy that the vocals were fresh. The fact that all 3 singers still sounded the same live made me happy. Maybe one day we'll get a performance that isn't restricted so that I can see Poets of the Fall absolutely shred like I know they can.

Crazy how I remember the Gods of Asgard scene from alan wake 1 and the rock concert. Feels like after all these years everything has come full circle.

Thanks for this reaction. This is exactly how I felt when watching this live. And think that I almost went to sleep earlier…

Poets of the Fall are by far my favourite band. Their music is super detailed and varied in style. Their normal stuff is even better than the things they do as Old Gods.

Your reaction to this, Heki, is so joyous. It's an extra layer of happiness on top of the already very happy. 🥰

I felt like u... ❤❤Still exited and happy

When a person really loves what they do, well done!

Your reaction is so cute 😄 I got choked up too during this, Sam just looks so happy and pure ❤️

i'm glad to see more people screaming "it's Dr Darling!!" and thinking about remedy universe

this was so fun to watch 😄

I was watching live 6 in the morning. I didn't have to wash my face because tears did it while watching. I love Sam Lake. Seeing him happy makes me happy.

Your reaction to this was a joy to watch!

Not gonna lie, some tears of joy ran down my face. I love that Performance. Ur reaction is exactely how i feel

WE are so happy! Best gaming moment of 2023!

love your reaction

Poor Ilka was super nervous. Meanwhile Sam Lake is too pure for this world.

The lip syncing of Alan Wakes voice actor with his physical actor was done really well in the game. Its cool to see them pair them both up again for this live performance.

Alan Wake 2 is one of that games that reminds me why I like videogames so much ❤

I love this video.

singing Sam Lake so happy make the whole world happy

ALAN WAKE 2 is my goty, but baldur's was amazing too

Seeing someone realizing their vision is just freeing, and man, he tried to do this game for 13 years now... gotta love sam lake. I hope this game isn't a failure financially...

to answer your question about playback: Bass is definitely playback (Poets of the Fall's singer cannot play), voice, guitar and drums are live. Check POTF's other songs, trust me (especially Carnival of Rust)

I havent played alan wake 2 yet but this song looks like its in the game for sure 😊

i freaking loved this stay awesome

her reaction is the best for me, she was really happy for that

THEY DID IT

Trully a work of art they did amazing in the game and performance wow

your reaction is so wholesome!!!

I think this really exemplifies how well Ilkka and Matthew know the character and like, understand each other's little quirks in speaking to make it work perfectly

Those foot slaps always bring a tear to my eye.

Ive never played alan wake 1 or 2 but this made me wanna play them 😭 i gotta finish control too

Alan Wake worte himself into the game awards! O_O

Beautiful

4:06 Me to 😭😭😭

I'm not upset BG III won GOTY, but I'm more happy that AWII got the trophies that it did. This performance was the cherry on top. Sam Lake deserved those W's high and low.

That was Incredible!

The way she said, "Sam Leeek" and then started losing it ❤new fan right here

This girl is me and maybe everyone of us who are fans of this saga and Remedy. Love this reaction

MARKO WITH BASS?!?!?!?!? hell yeah!

Finally, after years of hard work and talent, Poets of the Fall (aka Old Gods of Asgard) got the recognition they deserved at the VGA. Best of all, this isn't even the best song in ALAN WAKE 2.

Did you get it that Marco switches his eyepatch from eye to another all the time 🙂

It's so hecking cool to see how invested you are into the game and everything around it! Only a true fan can feel so strongly from Sam Lake going on stage This kinda makes me want to learn more about you and your gaming journey

It was so nice to see someone feeling the way I felt when I watched it! subbed ❤

The musical Alan wake 2 it's beautiful 🎉❤

Your reaction is amazing, I've played it about twenty times and I also had a tear on my face, great!

Sam Lake really has that effect on people I was feeling the same way she felt when I watched it 😊

This is such a great reaction :)

One of the epics moments in entertainment history. Hands down. They literally invented the interactive musical genre.

I love how the highest viewpoint of the entire video is very specifically when Sam comes out on stage. :D