EDIT: Apparently youtube hates me.
Below is one of the music videos for HammerFall’s big hit, “Hearts on Fire.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL9mlqbG5CU
No, you’ve not been infected by a rare brain disease that is causing your eyes to see very magical and unspeakable things not meant to be seen by human eyes. That is Swedish Power Metal band HammerFall competing against the Swedish Womens Olympic Curling Team. Honestly, it reminds me of the video of Zach Galifinakis lip-syncing to Kanye West’s “Can’t Tell Me Nothing.” Both are alternate music videos that feature the song in an environment that you wouldn’t expect. Both are also only funny until the shock of what you’re seeing wears off. Except for the part at the end where the Swedish Women’s Curling Team don leather and wield guitars to take the place of the Swedish headbangers. That was pretty sweet.
However, the reason I post this is not (just) for comedic value. This video got me thinking. There is something almost poetic about seeing these two groups join forces. Power Metal is a heavily mocked form of music due to its overly cheesy reliance on fantasy themes and dated appearance of band members. Curling is a sport that is mocked for being (no easy way to sugar coat this) boring. What is up with the sweeping anyways? (Yes, yes, I know that the sweeping causes the ice to momentarily melt, therefore causing less friction in the hopes that the curling stone will go further.)
My point is that its nice to see these groups from two oft-mocked professions join forces to kick ass and take names. This had to be running through their minds as they created this plea for respectability.
Or it could just be an attempt by Acuvue to sell contact lenses.
By the by, here’s the more kickass version with skeletons and swords and stuff.