When Lord of the Lost announced their covers album Weapons of Mass Seduction, one song I was excited to see on the track listing was Cutting Crew’s 1986 hit, “(I Just) Died in Your Arms”. I grew up an 80’s kid and this song is one of those that defined the era. Unless you were a diehard Cutting Crew fan, many would be hard pressed to name another song by the band. I know I would.
Featuring Anica Russo, Chris Harms, LOTL vocalist says,
“When we heard Anica’s great voice for the first time in the run-up to the German Eurovision preliminary round, we immediately wanted to do a duet with her. Anica was our clear favorite and we are very happy about it, and we are very happy to have realized this wish in our ESC year!”
Anica adds,
“When two completely different worlds come together and something harmonious and unique is created – that’s the magic of music. I am grateful that Lord of the Lost invited me to be part of their album, in line with the Eurovision motto: United by Music!”
Lord of the Lost are not strangers to covers, having previously covered “The Look” with Blümchen, “Judas”, “Children of the Damn”, and “Wig in a Box” to name a few. What I like about their covers is they let the original infuse itself into the essence of their version and they essentially make the song their own.
I’ve always felt there are three ways to properly cover a song:
- make it an upgrade of the original while still sounding like or very similar the original
- make it your own and give it your signature sound or a unique sound
- make it an upgrade, make it your own, and douse it in the essence of the band
Lord of the Lost has successfully achieved number three each and every time. If the previously listed songs don’t prove that to one, their cover of Billy Idol’s “Shock to the System” that will also be on Weapons of Mass Seduction should. The song has so much of what makes Lord of the Lost, I had to listen to the original to make sure it was an actual cover!
While Chis and Anica’s voices pair wonderfully together and they both convey that longing of a love or lust that one knows is bound to doom, what steals the spotlight from them is the music.
Good god almighty, the band made the song edgy and heavy, bold and beautiful. They added such spectacular touches to the song by elevating the keys, adding rich guitars and lush bass. But the absolute beauty of the song is Niklas Kahl and his drumming.
Niklas’ drumming is what brings the heavy and bold to the song. With him at the drumming helm, the cover is beyond superb. It’s first rate, top tier, badass.
Lord of the Lost‘s cover “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” is an intoxicating homage that transforms the ’80s classic into a captivating anthem of their own. Striking a balance between nostalgic admiration and their creative brilliance, it embodies the band’s artistry, heart, and soul.
