When Ed Sheeran first cast the spell of “I See Fire” for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, it held the grim tone of a dwarf’s last stand. But what happens when you take that light acoustic ballad and drag it down into the abyss of a true bass voice?
In this mighty cover, the low-voiced berserker Geoff Castellucci reshapes the cinematic track, granting it a rumbling resonance that sounds as if it was forged in the heart of the Lonely Mountain itself.
Here are the plunder-worthy elements that make this cover a must-watch feast.
1. A Haunting, Dwarven Resonance
Castellucci’s incredibly low vocal range transforms the song entirely. Where the original floats like a ghost in the mist, this rendition dives into the deep sea of the dead. The rich bass tones give the lyrics a serious, ancient chant-like quality, befitting the lore of J.R.R. Tolkien’s dwarves facing down a dragon, much like the giants of old facing the wrath of Thor.
2. The Theatrical Atmosphere
This video is not just a feast for the ears; it is a spectacle for the eyes. While the song is steeped in the dramatic imagery of fire and smoke on the mountain, Castellucci goes the extra mile with his presentation. Following the musical battle, he playfully boasts that he probably still has glue on his face from the elaborate makeup, highlighting the theatrical effort put into the production to bring the fantasy world to life.
Just before the five-minute mark, the music winds down and Castellucci breaks character to deliver a heartfelt message to his hall-mates. He gives a shout out to his Patreon supporters, noting that these elaborate, high-quality music videos would be entirely impossible without the backing of his community. It is a sweet, grounded moment that contrasts the epic scale of the song, like a warrior sharing his mead after a long battle.
To the song- Headphones recommended
It starts off with some low volume noise, as though wind on a mountain slope. As four figures sitting low before a fire are ready before us. The scene has the feeling of the Lord of the Rings & Hobbit movies .
Then the first singer with a huge beard and matching deep voice begins in low bass like tectonic plates ‘O misty eye..’ in acapella style.
There is a sound like a drum after every 2 sentences. Then towards the end of the first verse ‘sky be filled with fire and smoke’, there is the sound of metal on metal; as if a note played in the mines of the dwarves, and it’s gentle too it could be mistaken for the sound of dripping water. Then at “Durin’s sons” there is finally the sound of a drop of water. And the verse ends
Then everyone seated starts to hum, a deep hum and right on cue the instrumentals begin. The instrumental sounds like someone playing low on the piano with a heavy hand, on the lower notes once per chord. As though he was hammering the music in a dwarven mine.
Enter Geoff
‘If this is to end in fire’
He enters with those low notes and the humming stops but instrumental track continues. At ‘watch the flames burn auburn..’ the humming returns low and smooth.
And if we should Die..
Next verse begins in the macabre tone of the last verse with just the instrumental as the humming ceases. I’ve always found this verse strange. I find myself asking, ‘If you and who should die?’😅 Certainly not me.
This verse is not done by a bass voice. Our third singer sings in Ed Sheeran style tenor voice. His appearance includes a long moustace that extends down below his chin, similar to the way pigtails would look and they sway with his head movement.
The instrumental now switches to a regular light piano sound we are familiar to hearing in pop music. Probably in recognition of the higher pitch. More melody notes are played and some of the chords are not played in blocky chord style like at the beginning but rather one at a time, appergio style.
“And if we should Die tonight, we should all die together”
A_s he says _‘die together’ he looks around and the others all join in a hum as if in agreement. Hmm 🎶
Then at ‘Raise a glass of wine’ the fourth singer who is also not a base joins in responding
‘For the last time’.
At this point Geoff looks at the first bass singer who nods his head slightly in acknowledgement.
As he sings, ‘Watch the flames’ the humming joins in perfect synchronization.
The first singer completes the verse at the end as he sings, ‘Desolation comes upon the sky’ in that deep baritone voice we heard from the beginning.
Now I see fire - red scene
Geoff enters the chorus with ‘Now I see fire’ as the set is illuminated with a red light and the sound of a flame burning is heard in the sound track. The piano slows down to match and a melodic accompaniment is played over the chorus, this time in higher notes even though Geoff continues to sing in deep bass voice.
At ‘I hope that you remember me’, the instrumental pauses briefly only to return at the end with a drum accompaniment and shakers to match the tempo. The red light fades away and the set goes back to the original lighting.
Oh should my people fall
The 3rd singer conntinues with this verse in tenor range. Making me wonder when the fourth singer will have his part.
The fourth singer finally gets a line at ‘Calling out father oo’ in what could be a sorprano or higher pitched voice than all we’ve heard here. He almost finishes that verse but our first singer in his usual fashion adds at the end.
Desolation comes upon the sky
Chorus again, I see fire- all together
Geoff starts us off with ‘Now I see fire’ and this time everybody joins in.
The third time ‘I see fire’ is mentioned, there is some kind of melodic change, with only a bass drum and the set turns red again. It’s a nice part of the video. It happens for a short while and we continue with ‘hollowing souls’ in the original tempo with the shakers sounding in the background.
Bridge-And if the night is burning
Just before the end of ‘I hope that you remember me’ there’s some kind of rushing sound that builds tension to introduce the next part. ‘And if the night is burning’… This part is led by our ever subtle higher pitched 4th singer. And he delivers. Sing it!
He takes us into the chorus with ‘Now I see fire’. There is that short pause with the red light illumination again on the third ‘I see fire’, but this time it’s just the first singer in his deep bass voice. He takes that line just crushing it with the word ‘FIRE’ in a way I didn’t know could be pronounced; it doesn’t even sound like English and it’s more like a growl at the end.
The song ends with everyone singing a part of ‘I hope that you remember me’ as a final farewell, as the video fades to black.
Final Thoughts
Geoff Castellucci’s “I See Fire” is a perfect example of how a cover can honor the original while completely reinventing its atmosphere. If you are a fan of The Lord of the Rings universe, a cappella, or just phenomenal vocal talent, this deep bass rendition will give you chills worthy of a valkyrie’s embrace.
