Reacting to Saltatio Mortis - Finsterwacht (feat. Blind Guardian) 

Thank you so much for the reaction Dave. As always it was a pleasure to watch. Thanks for your dedication

Thanks again for your wonderful reaction ❤

A short background to the song: It takes place in the fictional land of Aventuria, from the German pen & paper RPG "The Dark Eye". This particular setting is part of a great campaign where the different orc tribes are united under one ruler and attack the neighbouring lands of the humans. The Finsterwacht (grim watch) is a series of watchtowers with signal beacons, which are lit in case the orcs attack - as a warning to all humans along the border to regroup as fast as possible in the nearest castles /reinforced settlements and get ready to fight. Basically we see a group of adventurers being caught in one orc attack and now trying to lit the nearest beacon.

Found a translation for the non-german speakers: *INTRO NARRATION* Darkness weighs heavily on the land The threatening peaks of the mountains rise ominously into the sky After all these years it's back, this one eerie whispers in the night What is hidden there in the dark forests? A storm is coming, it's getting cold on the Dark Ridge But there is hope Because in the midst of all this gloom, the guardians of the watch stand high up on the towers Day after day, night after night Ready to defend our families and our lands with their lives When they light their fires, then the Goddess have mercy on us It is the fires of fear that burn there May the heroism of the Guard grow brighter shine as the light of the flames For they are our last bastion from what lies in wait for us in the shadows And our hope there on the dark watch Verse 1: The flames blaze high up To the sky, black and distant A memorial in the darkness Every fire is a star Say goodbye, friends Sing one last song Shield to shield together into the night On the Finsterwacht Verse 2: Silent heroes without rest Their eyes sharp as steel United, animated by the courage to die Stand n we here one last time Be vigilant friends The shadows have awakened Shield to shield together into the night Chorus: And the world stands in flames I want to walk through the fire with you Until our ashes unite for eternity And the world is in flames Then we will see each other again Beyond here, beyond time Instrumental Break Refrain: And if the world is on fire I want to go through the fire with you Until our ashes unite For eternity And the world is on fire Then we will see each other again Beyond here, beyond time For eternity Bridge: Fires blaze upward We are the light in the night Rondra, hear our choir Come stand by us, because we are the Watch Friends, be careful (Fires blaze up) On the Dark Watch Be the shield wall at the end of the world (We are the light in the night) Hold the tower (Rondra, hear our choir) Even in the Orkensturm Stand together, because we are the guard (Come, stand by us, because we are the guard) Friends, be careful (Fires blaze up) On the Darkwatch Be the shield wall at the end of the world (We are the light in the night) Hold the tower (Rondra, hear our choir) Even in the Orkensturm Stand together, because we are the guard (Come stand by us, because we are the guard) Refrai: And if the world is on fire I will walk through the fire with you Until our ashes unite For eternity ( In Eternity ) And if the world is on fire Then we will see each other again Beyond here, beyond time In eternity

Love your reaction to Saltatio. The actors are all cosplayers. All of them and the costumes are handmade as hobby of the cosplayers. They craft them in their free time

I just re-watched your reaction, and since there is a (German) Making-of for the video up now, I can add the information that they indeed used special camera filters in order to get the "Fantasy" feeling and colouring across. This was also the first time the band did not do the filming completely on their own (normally, the guy "who died first" (with the arrow through his neck) is also their cinematographer), but got someone else aboard for filming and fx (who had already done fx for the band for "Pray to the hunter"). One reason for this was, IIGTC, that they had to film lots of stuff at night and hence needed more sophisticated equipment than the band could provide. And the reason for that was that they had only 4 days to do the video, and these days were in winter, where in Germany the night is considerably longer than daylight time. So they used daytime for building the sets and shooting a few scenes, but used night time for all the elaborated fighing scenes. (Have to add that they were extremely lucky with the weather. It was freaking cold, but we had an awful lot of rain this winter. This must have been one of less than a handful of weekends where there was no rain at all for more than 2 days in a row.) On another note: I don't know wether you noticed that they've added subtitles by now. :)

"The beacons are lit! Saltatio Mortis calls for aid!"

This Video is based on the biggest german P&P RPG „Franchise“ „DSA - the dark Eye“

Actually, if I'm not mistaken, a lot of the costumes/items were made by very enthusiastic larp hobbyists (I am begging them to teach me everything) who the band has frequently worked with on multiple projects.

In many German heroic legends and myths from the Middle Ages or Germanic times, the hero dies during the course of the action or at the end. There were rarely happy endings because in real life there is often no good ending to battles, and this was also reflected in legends and stories from this era, not only in Germany but also in other regions. For example, the Arthurian legend from England or the Beowolf legend from Scandinavia and many more.

Great reaction...to currently my favourite band...it doesn't matter if they sing in German, English or old Norse, I love the vibe and the effort they put in everything they do. ❤

I'm convinced. Never heard of these guys, but I'm gonna add this song to my spotify. I'm totally thankful for the first pause too, cause I was gonna start crying too

Brother, you HAVE to look up Wind Rose. Same vibe, just dwarven power metal instead! For your first song, do either diggy diggy hole, or the Gates of Ekrund 🤘

That bit you referred to about the guitars creating their own kind of atmosphere, the "crying"? And the choir? That's the Bling Guardian magic right there. Not knocking SalMo in any way, I love their music and they bring their own kind of magic into this and it's amazing. But BG being my favourite band in the history of ever, I'm happy you reconised that. If you ever want to try out content from Tolkien, look no further than Blind Guardian's "Nightfall in Middle-Earth". IDK if you've already reviewed it, but it's definitely worth your while. That or the song "And Then There Was Silence". Should be right down your alley ;). Thanks for the video, it's always good to see niche music appreciated by major channels.

Ah, well, took me a bit longer than I thought, but here we go: It was said already that this video is set in the world of "The Dark eye", a German PnP RPG being published as the "German alternative for AD&D" in 1984. The whole thing is a collab between the "Dark eye" Publisher and Saltatio mortis for the game's 40th anniversary. I think several band members played this game actively from the very beginning. (I did, too, btw.) ) Somebody posted the translation already, but yes, you were absolutely right: About at the time where you said that the music was hopeful, carrying the message that death may not be the end, the lyrics were carrying just this message: Warriors fighting for the right thing and dying in battle might see each other again in the halls of Rondra, goddess of honourable fight, and that's what they may hope for. The part where the remaining members of the party are singing altogether with Alea lifting the torch is also a prayer to Rondra, basically, to provide them with strenght and courage in the (final) battle. As with none of the band members channelling Aragorn, it was likely that these many orcs (yep, orcs)would likely finish the group befor they could light the beacon. (And I _think_ but I might be mistaken here that the voice in the background here is Hansi Kürsch of Blind Guardian. I found it somewhat sad that they did not make an appearance in the video. But I just recently read an interview in our local newspaper. BG actually happen to be from my small hometown and some band members still live around here or the neighbouring places. Anyway, there they said that they simply were not into this "tattoo and showing off" stuff. Maybe that includes posing as medieval mercenaries/adventurers/knights. ) The video is indeed a introduction - unfortunately not to a whole TV series, but to an RPG campaign that is about to be published. Well yes - that was what I could contribute. Have a nice evening

Lyrics of “Finsterwacht” = “Darkwatch” [intro] Darkness weighs heavily on the land The looming peaks of the mountains rise ominously into the sky After all these years it's back, that eerie whisper in the night What is hidden there in the dark forests? A storm is coming, it is getting cold on the Dark Ridge But there is hope For in the midst of all this gloom, the Guardians of the Watch stand high up on the towers Day after day, night after night Ready to defend our families and our country with their lives When they light their fires, the Goddess has mercy on us It is the fires of fear that burn there May the heroism of the Guard shine brighter than the light of the flames Because they are our last bastion from what lurks for us in the shadows And our hope there on the Finsterwacht [Verse 1: Alea] The flames burn high up The sky is black and distant A memorial in the darkness Every fire is a star Say goodbye friends Sing one last song Sign after sign together into the night On the Darkwatch [Verse 2: Hansi Kürsch] Silent heroes without rest The looks sharp as steel United, inspired by the courage to die Let's stand here one last time Be vigilant friends The shadows have awakened Sign after sign together into the night [Chorus: Alea & Hansi Kürsch] And the world is on fire I want to go through the fire with you Until our ashes unite for eternity And the world is on fire Then we'll see each other again Beyond here, beyond time [Instrumental Break] [Chorus: Alea & Hansi Kürsch] And the world is on fire I want to go through the fire with you Until our ashes unite For eternity And the world is on fire Then we'll see each other again Beyond here, beyond time For eternity [Bridge: Choir, Hansi Kürsch & Alea] Fires flare up We are the light in the night Rondra, hear our choir Come stand with us, for we are the guard Friends, be careful (fires blazing) On the Darkwatch Be the shield wall at the end of the world (We are the light in the night) Hold the tower (Rondra, hear our choir) Also in Orkensturm Stand together for we are the watch (Come stand with us for we are the watch) Friends, be careful (fires blazing) On the Darkwatch Be the shield wall at the end of the world (We are the light in the night) Hold the tower (Rondra, hear our choir) Also in Orkensturm Stand together for we are the watch (Come stand with us for we are the watch) [Chorus: Alea & Hansi Kürsch, only Hansi Kürsch] And the world is on fire I want to go through the fire with you Until our ashes unite Forever (Forever) And the world is on fire Then we'll see each other again Beyond here, beyond time For eternity

As far as I konw, most background characters are fans of the band from the medieval/larp/cosplay community. The band often calls out to fans that like to join them in such videos.

late here, but if not said yet: each one of them play a lot of instruments, they are a medieval rock band after all. so everything is played in live, yes.

Saltatio mortis uses the same "technique" from "E NOMINE" where a Narrator tells the beginning of a story, of course in German as we know and like it, through a "well-known" German actor voice. E Nomine released several albums in the late 90s with the voices of well-known German "voices" who gave the international actors their voices for the german dubbed version E Nomine even advertised that they used these well-known "voices" for it. The most famous album is "The Prophecy" with the voice of Max von Sydow a famous German Hollywood actor and the translator voice of Mel Gibson, Nicolas Cage , John Travolta and other actors... etc

Absolutely epic. I've been waiting for this and it did not disappoint.

Saltatio Mortis, are THE god tier of medieval/historical music videos. I love it. 🤩😁and clearly so do you. This is AMAZING! :D

Man, you are really up to speed - reacting to both epic metal songs that dropped two days ago back to back (the other one bei Purest Gold by Miracle of Sound) just one day later. The view count you mentioned is from within the first 24 hours and for that really impressive. Guaranteed to rise massively.

Song, Video, everything just epic ⚔️🤘

They just released a video showing how they recorded the prague orchestra for that part

As stated before, this is based on a tabletop RPG game, and the CD can be ordered with the game itself starring the band members as NPC's.. Fantastic concept and video and what a song!

original video now has english subtitles. So time to rewatch. :)

Whoozza, Dave - one of my favourite reactors does one of my favourite current Videos... that just made my evening! (Unfortunately, the kids want dinner right now, so my final comment will have to wait somewhat.)

Love to see your reactions to metal music, because its clear that you are open minded to these different genres and there is genuine enjoyment. Also you add a lot so keep it up man!

Nice, you even recognized Hansi😊

This shit is magnificent

here are the german lyrics, I'll recently upload an english version: [Intro] Dunkelheit lastet schwer auf dem Land Die drohenden Gipfel der Berge ragen unheilverkündend in den Himmel Nach all den Jahren ist es wieder da, dieses unheimliche Flüstern in der Nacht Was verbirgt sich dort in den finstern' Wäldern? Ein Sturm zieht auf, es wird kalt am Finsterkamm Doch es gibt Hoffnung Denn inmitten all dieser Düsternis steh'n die Hüter der Wache hoch oben auf den Türmen Tag für Tag, Nacht für Nacht Bereit unsere Familien und unser Land mit ihrem Leben zu verteidigen Wenn sie ihre Feuer entzünden, dann Gnade uns die Göttin Es sind die Feuer der Angst, die dort brennen Möge der Heldenmut der Wache heller leuchten als das Licht der Flammen Denn sie sind unsere letzte Bastion vor dem, was dort im Schatten auf uns lauert Und unsere Hoffnung dort auf der Finsterwacht [Strophe 1: Alea] Die Flammen lodern hoch hinauf Zum Himmel schwarz und fern Ein Mahnmal in der Dunkelheit Jedes Feuer ist ein Stern Nehmt Abschied Freunde Singt noch ein letztes Lied Schild an Schild gemeinsam in die Nacht Auf der Finsterwacht [Strophe 2: Hansi Kürsch] Stumme Helden ohne Rast Die Blicke scharf wie Stahl Vereint, von Todesmut beseelt Steh'n wir hier ein letztes Mal Seid wachsam Freunde Die Schatten sind erwacht Schild an Schild gemeinsam in die Nacht [Refrain: Alea & Hansi Kürsch] Und steht die Welt in Flammen Will ich mit euch durch's Feuer geh'n Bis unsere Asche sich vereint in Ewigkeit Und steht die Welt in Flammen Dann werden wir uns wiederseh'n Jenseits von hier, jenseits der Zeit [Instrumental Break] [Refrain: Alea & Hansi Kürsch] Und steht die Welt in Flammen Will ich mit euch durch's Feuer geh'n Bis unsere Asche sich vereint In Ewigkeit Und steht die Welt in Flammen Dann werden wir uns wiederseh'n Jenseits von hier, jenseits der Zeit In Ewigkeit [Bridge: Chor, Hansi Kürsch & Alea] Feuer lodern empor Wir sind das Licht in der Nacht Rondra, erhör unsern Chor Komm steh uns bei, denn wir sind die Wacht Freunde, habt Acht (Feuer lodern empor) Auf der Finsterwacht Seid der Schildwall am Ende der Welt (Wir sind das Licht in der Nacht) Haltet den Turm (Rondra, erhör unsern Chor) Auch im Orkensturm Steht zusammen, denn wir sind die Wacht (Komm steh uns bei, denn wir sind die Wacht) Freunde, habt Acht (Feuer lodern empor) Auf der Finsterwacht Seid der Schildwall am Ende der Welt (Wir sind das Licht in der Nacht) Haltet den Turm (Rondra, erhör unsern Chor) Auch im Orkensturm Steht zusammen, denn wir sind die Wacht (Komm steh uns bei, denn wir sind die Wacht) [Refrain: Alea & Hansi Kürsch, nur Hansi Kürsch] Und steht die Welt in Flammen Will ich mit euch durch's Feuer geh'n Bis unsere Asche sich vereint In Ewigkeit (In Ewigkeit) Und steht die Welt in Flammen Dann werden wir uns wiederseh'n Jenseits von hier, jenseits der Zeit In Ewigkeit...

yeah I love their videos they are always awesome..thanks for the reaction

No clue what this is but im here for it, also wasssupp

On another note: (indeed I am bit lazy, more or less copy pasting my comment ... ) Saltatio Mortis have just announced that the release of their album "Finsterwacht" will unfortunately be delayed by one week, to June 7th. Because of that, they will, on the original release date, which is May 31st, publish a "director's cut" of the Finsterwacht video. Which will be even _longer_ than the original. I suppose that even if you might not want to do a video on that one again, you might want to watch it. All the best!

Heavy Metal Music works in German

can you React on more German Saltatio Songs

Awesome reaction.

It is awesome.

Merinding❤❤

Nice man!

🔥🔥🔥

It’s pronounced “Fin-stir-Vaught” with a V. German.

you missed the easteregg at the end.

Thanks for ur Reactions. Ill cry at the Promotion yesterday evening..and now nearly 85k views. Its an Epic (4 Day) Production. Who will top this Epic Music-Video? With what? Unicorns? ☺

You missed the last shot, right after the credits ;)

hallo man

I wanted to let you know that Ren dropped a new video Thursday and I know you will really like it. It's different of course (cause it's Ren) but a musical journey. It's called Back on 74/Message in a Bottle Retake. Hope to see you react to It.