One of the silver linings of 2020—there are some!—has been an influx of hit songs in the style of the bard. This medieval version of Radiohead’s “Creep,” for example, is ideal for “muck-gathering peasants” and noble people alike. Now, musician and YouTuber, Johan Carlsberg, has released a “bardcore” version of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck,” and it is another beauteous jam.
Carlsberg’s cover, which comes via Laughing Squid, was recently posted to his eponymous YouTube channel. Unfortunately, the musician (who often writes in Russian, but may not actually be Russian), doesn’t offer a ton of context for his music. Although Carlsberg does undoubtedly love covering songs—especially in this bardcore style, as of late. His medieval twist on System of a Down’s “Chop Suey,” for example, is a real village pleaser.
In regards to the song itself, it’s just as catchy as the original track released in 1990; the immensely popular one that has 600 million plays on Spotify and 800 million on YouTube. And Carlsberg’s skills on the lute are most definitely worthy of any royal court in the land.
Despite the excellence of the song, it is unclear why Carlsberg included an accordion. According to our cursory sleuthing, accordions popped up in 1822, well after the Middle Ages ended in the 15th century. Organettos (above), however, were a thing in the 1300s and 1400s, and the portable, pipe instruments were similar to both organs and accordions.
Anybody who now desperately wants to jump on the bardcore wagon is in luck. There is a lot of other bardcore music coming out right now. Musicians are even covering Star Wars pieces in a way befitting that medieval life. And the tracks are perfect for testing your shield out at the range, or your genuine plasma lightsaber at the lab.
Feature image: Johan Carlsberg