I was STUNNED by this one! | Hall of the Mountain King - VoicePlay | Reaction/Analysis

[@LizzyGarozzoMusic]

HAAA!! You had me cackling!!! I loved watching you watch this!!! 👏🏻👏🏻😂 😈

[@officialmortius]

Thank you so much! I’m truly so glad you enjoyed my video, I am such a fan of you in this and every other instance I have seen you perform!!

[@LizzyGarozzoMusic]

@@officialmortius ☺️ Aaahhh! Thank you! I’m super blushing!

[@bobharp3492]

You were amazing no other words thank you and you were great in song too your beautiful and I'm a fan Elizabeth

[@letheardaw]

Aaww. They broke Mortius. Voiceplay takes an entirely instrumental piece and turns it into a comedy acapella. absolutely masterful.

[@sarahdzeima5102]

Right? Watching Mortius bluescreen was definitely a highlight of my morning.

[@stuartfaulds1580]

Aye, Voiceplay have a habit of breaking reactors, tis amusing to watch.

[@adamopdyke9730]

It's easy to break Mortius

[@liisaara7242]

Confused Mortius is adorable. If it makes anything clearer: This one was Layne's.

[@marshayoung9387]

I believe this one was one of Geoff's creations.

[@b.buster.]

@@marshayoung9387 Layne did this

[@CapriUni]

@@marshayoung9387 Actually, it's from both of them; in the original, Layne is given first credit as arranger, with Geoff as assistant.

[@shirleykarr560]

@@marshayoung9387 Layne is credited with the arrangement and video, and shares lighting effects and direction credit with Eli. Geoff gets "additional arranging" credit because it was his idea to do the swing part that reminds some people of Inspector Gadget theme music. Even if I hadn't seen the credits on the original video or watched the BTS, this has Carrot Lord Layne all over it.

[@zamorvex]

im so happy that mason knows about the play. was always funny trying to explain plays to my friends since they seem to think plays and musicals are the same haha. one of the plays i got to see way back when was an amatuer production of peer gynt. was very unusual to say the least but thoughrouly enjoyable

[@ilonadever8249]

Every time they put something in the caldron, it changed the nature and changed it's affect. First adition, everyone who partook began singing operatically. Second, Cesar snuck in something while distracting Layne, Layne was the only one who partook, and he got drunk. Eli put in the red hot chili pepper and it speeded up the track. Geoff put in the secret ingredient and it went into overdrive. Layne added the carrot and everyone disappeared. Elizabeth is amazing. Layne wanted someone who can sing really high, but she said after that he didn't give her anything really high. She also did off screen vocals with them in Frozen and The Greatest Showman.

[@huldradraco]

there's only one way to describe this video: Layne. i'm convinced this is a sneak peek into Layne's brain 🤣🤣

[@NivMizzet13]

Educational Mason is a welcome addition to the videos ^^. The Boogieman is also a Geoff focused song related to the nightmare before christmas!

[@katthor7311]

Love the educational hijack, Mason. 😆 And, my condolences to your broken brain, Mortius. If it makes you feel any better, it made for one hella entertaining reaction.

[@DavideBaroni]

Never laughed THIS much watching any of your reactions 😂. I love this video, AND I love "Peer Gynt", which they transformed in a fantastic a cappella comedic performance. Layne is so... Mischievous, I'd say. Cesar looks like a kid, somehow. Eli has very different voices than usual. Geoff makes everything sound easy and smooth. And Elizabeth is perfect for this. One of the funniest videos from Voiceplay. 🙂 Thank you for reacting to this. Your expression in certain moments aire priceless. I totally lost the Voiceplay stuff, for I was totally absorbed by YOUR performance... Almost fell from my chair. 🙂 I was looking forward to watching your reaction, and you delivered... Although I confess I thought you were familiar with the "song". 🙂 See you next time!

[@tamarakaddatz9955]

I had to watch a 2nd time, just to fully watch Mortius' reaction. I'm surprised @Mortius not knowing this instrumental song. Although I didn't recognize from title I knew it once VP started.

[@janetdw]

You must have heard this piece of music before, but just been so distracted that it didn’t click. I am in my 70s and I remember hearing it to a Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd cartoon! They’ve taken a classical piece of music and turned it upside down, inside out and created total insanity! The first time I watched it I probably was like you- totally confused and gobsmacked. But now I can’t get it out of my head and when I find myself humming it, I hear all those crazy sound effects. It’s probably the most creative treatment of that piece of music that’s ever been done. You weren’t the only one that they broke with this one. Qofy had to take off his headphones and take a short walk. The more I watch this, the more I hear and see. Because I’m a patron I can access the karaoke track and what’s going on in the background is astounding.

[@ljk5464]

The storyline is they were making a pot of potion. Cesar wanted to add his ingredient to it but Layne tossed it away. Eli wanted to add a severed finger to the potion but Liz thumped it away form the pot. Then Cesar added the spider ingredient after making Layne look away at something else. Then Layne tasted it and it made him drunk. Geoff added another ingredient to make them sing operatic. Eli tossed in a huge chili pepper which was very hot. Lastly, Layne threw in a carrot which made them all *poof*.

[@LordBooozE]

Hi Mortius🙂 I am a norwegian and i love your reactions🙂 I just want to give a little fun fact about this song, this song is sort of one of Norway's pride songs which is composed by Edvard Grieg and is called in norwegian "Dovregubbens hall" which i believe is about a troll who live in " Dovre " which is a mountain area here in Norway although i am not 100% sure about that last part i believe it is so🙂 Thank you for this fun reaction and looking forward for the upcoming reactions🙂

[@simmerplayer2747]

Poor Mortius :D So I dont know if this is the official story for what is going on in this video, but some other reactors and viewers think that they are trolls or some similar creature and they are making the potion to enable them to sing. Because every time one of them drinks from the brew, they have a very dramatic singing moment.

[@jackyfriedman1963]

You are correct. And they're trolls.

[@bethjeans3780]

And I deserve an award for not noticing what should be noticed.

[@ronsbrat525]

And about the stew/soup is also correct. Each ingredient betters their singing. Until in the end Layne throws in the carrot to make everyone disappear including himself.

[@ronsbrat525]

@@bethjeans3780 Alot of people don't notice and have to have it explained. I am on their Patreon so watched this for a couple weeks before it was released. And have also seen the behind the scenes videos. Well worth my $5 a month. I'm on Geoff and Pattycake Productions too.

[@chelliespider]

Poor broken, intimidated Mortius! Here, have a hug 🤗 It totally doesn't surprise me that Ceasar was the most mischievous of them! Love how they took something instrumental and created a whole story with visuals to justify jumps in tempo and style for the arrangement. I'll take some of their potion if it means I can sing that well 🎶🥰😈🖤

[@Tiewaz]

I think pretty much every reaction to this video has had the same statement, "What is happening? What did I just watch?" I giggled mightily.

[@caitlinkavanagh3298]

Just sit back, strap in and enjoy the ride! This is Layne's brain child, though I heard the swing beat was Geoff's contribution. Fun song and Elizabeth is just amazing, hope we get to see her visit again!

[@carinarodebak9419]

Thank you Mason for that clarification. I was about to write it in the comments. Most Scandinavian children get go hear this from an early age. This piece is often used to introduce children to classical music in school etc. Though many Scandinavian envisage trolls to look some different. Tails are essential and horns smaller. But they look fabulous here. As Mason said, this piece has bern used to much. A wellknown Swedish jazzpianist and entertainer played it as Boggie woggie which became very popular. That's the vibe Geoff gives me as he adds his ingridient to the cauldron.

[@MagicMason1000]

It was also used in the movie Trolls, but I couldn't play that part because Disney would copyright-struck Mortius and I out of our souls :|

[@garettjohnson6978]

What an amazing video! Not only do we get to see Mortius freak out over no lyrics, but we get to meet Mason! Who I assume is Mortius' editor. Great to see the man behind the computer editing the videos! Loved the video Mortius, and so happy to see that you'll be reacting to Kidnap Sandy Claws!

[@Tbawsome24]

Love the Mason hijack moment, need more

[@Traci2000]

You looked exactly the way I felt when I watched this! 😂😂😂 Also, that was the most informative hijacking I've ever experienced! Nice one, Mason!

[@andrewhWTL]

The Peer Gynt suite by Grieg is well worth hearing. It includes "In the hall of the mountain king" as one of the adventures - to the hall of the trolls inside a mountain. The amazing vocal arrangement by Layne and Voiceplay will make so much more sense when you come back to it afterwards. I'm the opposite way round from most people, as being mainly a classical listener previously it is one of the very few a cappella group covers I knew in advance.

[@tompeavy8254]

I was familiar with Hall of the Mountain King but the video confused me at first. Once you watch it more, you realize VP came up with their own story here with different potions causing them to go into different variations. Once you get past the story and video and ONLY listen to the music, you will hear how they turned this into an incredible masterpiece.

[@adwenb]

Nessus Dorma by Rob & Austin from Home Free. They do opera.

[@Juilene1965]

I love a good Mortius malfunction as much as I love a Voiceplay video!

[@alexwalker8440]

Watch it again, as many times as you need to, you'll eventually get it. Every item added to the cauldron causes whoever drinks from it to act / sing in a certain way. Eli and Lizzy's operatic voices, drunk Layne, hot pepper causing red smoke out of Eli's ears ... you get the point now, do you? I really love this video, and I'm somehow disappointed that you didn't react as I expected. I guess your cauldron's missing some ingredients! 🤪🤪

[@ZephyrSnowflame]

It’s Art. That’s just it. It’s to be appreciated, and the character work is amazing!

[@paulmccarragher4106]

This was Voice Play, not only the name of the group but the way they did the song, no words but conveyed the song line perfectly.

[@jackyfriedman1963]

Btw. Two things... 1. Omar was on The Voice the other night competing. The video.. Omar Cardona the Voice. It is awesome. 2. Update on Geoff's new video... It's finished finally but he won't be releasing it until the beginning of October. It's going to spectacular.

[@kezmet5998]

Absolutely LOVED the Mason Hijack with the background info - you should add more of these when there's extra facts to share!

[@MagicMason1000]

Usually, it only happens when Mortius doesn't know something about classical music that I do 😅 If you didn't see the reaction to Winter from The Piano Guys, I had a big hijack in that video.

[@christyeckert3115]

I loved this. Please do Austin and Rob from HF doing Opera. I've been waiting since it was released for your reaction.

[@jonadabtheunsightly]

Watch it again and pay attention to how changes in what they're doing musically, coincide with the action in the video. Apparently every ingredient you put into a magical brew, changes what it does.

[@ben.d.8150]

The lock shock and barrel mask are just a fun little Easter egg welcoming all to the Halloween season

[@Tribblepuppy]

I'm sure you've already been told that Austin Brown (Home Free) has released a new video. He and Rob Lundquist (also Home Free) got together to sing the Opera aria Nessun Dorma. You should check it out.

[@pappydreactions]

This was awesome bud. I love when the music and the video don't match and both are out of the normal realm of anything.

[@Drake844221]

You know, Mortius... I _can't_ argue with your reaction to this video. This is unequivocally one of their most "out of left field" music videos that I've seen. I mean... it is very 'on brand' for them, with the exception of being purely 'instrumental'. I didn't know what to expect going into it, myself... like, were they going to add lyrics to it? Give it a story through the words? Nope... we're just... doing all of that through the ways that we sing the parts and the way the characters act. And yes, I was _very_ surprised that this was a September release, not an October release. That threw me off in a big way. And yeah, it is brilliantly executed and musically _beautiful_, so I'm in no way upset... I'm just very... thrown off by it, and I feel that is where you are, too.

[@janhankins911]

Glad you had the little explanation in there! Most people don't know the "story" of this song. A little more information--the musical story was, as was said, written by Edvard Grieg (a Norwegian composer), but was based on an original story by Henrik Ibsen. The song is from the Peer Gynt Suite (the entire musical) and follows the adventures of the main character, Peer Gynt.

[@blazzium_]

The Marwan comment 9:30 in 🤣 Never stop reacting Mortius, these videos are always such a blast to watch! Keep up the good work

[@MrNikolidas]

Two pieces from the Peer Gynt suite that most people have heard before but don't know the name - one is this piece, In The Hall Of The Mountain King, the other is Morning Mood.

[@MuriKakari]

Loved the MASON hijack! In the Hall of the Mountain King was one of the first pieces I learned for Marimba.

[@Cpperk95]

PERFECT reaction. Voiceplay has the ability to offer astounding creativity and they are not afraid to attempt anything. They are amazing and have so many layers .

[@lizwildcatmunro2460]

Geoff’s swing tempo reminds me of a slowed down Inspector Gadget theme, this is my favourite reaction of yours, the way they broke you and your confused faces was funny

[@lexxboyer6016]

You've gotta learn by now to expect the unexpected with Voiceplay 😂 I had the same reaction as you to this after a long day, amazing and entertaining video as always 😁

[@batrn7236]

And the carrot strikes again.

"what did I just watch?"

[@qniln404]

geoff is also slamming f#1's the whole time near the end with all the dubstep noises

[@janetjenkins2111]

Thank you so much Mortius. You did exactly what I did. It broke me too. Have seen it at least 4 times and it still blows me away. Feel better soon. Love from NE England

[@JoshZanders]

“What kinda Marwan Ayman BS is THIS‽” New favorite quote right there. 🤣

[@AussieTrekkie79]

I practised this for an inter-school orchestra for an eisteddfod when I was in school and it was intense and fun, and how you never heard this song before now, especially when you were a drama/theatre student, boggles the mind. Loved the reaction though and had a ball enjoying your reaction to this song.

[@tracyl8]

This was such fun! My favourite piece of classical music comes from the Peer Gynt Suite (Morning), which we had played to us by an awesome music teacher when I was 11, and who told us to listen to it with our eyes closed and picture the dawn breaking. My mind had a sudden "Woah!" moment and set me on a path to discover more classical music. In The Hall of the Mountain King is my 2nd favourite piece from Peer Gynt. In the story, Peer Gynt is captured by Trolls and ticks off the Mountain King because he won't marry the King's troll daughter. Lovin' the VoicePlay twist and lovin' our sweet Mortius. Just keep saying 'It's trolls.... that's all. Just trolls....' :D

[@megagiratintwobrinewolfand223]

i love how he progressively loses his mind more and more as the song goes on XD

[@movieswithshannon]

Amazing to watch you slowly break a little under the awesome classical tune. Might need to take a moment to grab a nap and a coffee and rewatch it. Mortius hope your okay!

[@sagevining2030]

Locke, Shock, and Barrel mask are there because I’m pretty sure the inspiration for ‘Kidnap the sandy clause’ came from this song. Same bpm and sound

[@JvWet]

Had to re-watch this in anticipation of Mortius reacting to Voiceplay's Classical Chaos, his utter confusion and emotional state was epic!

[@Genthar]

Listen to the orchestral version of the Hall of the Mountain King. That'll give you the basis for the music. The rest of it is just Voiceplay having fun, and the visuals have zero to do with the original music. If you watch carefully every time someone adds some thing to the "brew" it changes their singing, particularly if they drink it.

[@b.buster.]

Elizabeth has been on a few Voiceplay videos but not on the screen. She was on the frozen II video and Greatest Showman video.

[@southernhippie9058]

I was looking forward to this reaction. I am very familiar with this piece as I played it on the piano in more than one recital years ago. Love this version. It is absolutely delightful and they really pulled it off. I was wondering what your reaction would be and you did not disappoint and has been said your reaction was adorable.

[@aliecat199]

Mortius I was laughing the whole time watching your confusion on this orchestral song! 😆 Band geeks unit!!! I hope you check out that original and then rewatch this again and you’ll see Voiceplay’s genius. What a great addition of Liz and their total inventiveness in their arrangement. ❤

[@caroline6544]

Omg yes „kidnap the sandy claws“ 😍 so underated…i listen to it sometimes and then cant stop repeating because it has such a nice flow.

[@doloresburns3301]

Mortius, I can't believe you haven't done the new release of Two Country Singers Try Singing Opera with Rob and Austin from Home Free... you are one of the very few reactors for HF who hasn't done it. It's more than fantastic!

[@lkayh]

I don’t know what that was either, but we sure heard things that we’ve never heard before from these guys. I want to know who laid down that really beefy LA DA DA DA when Eli was fixing to drop the pepper into the cauldron. And if ANYONE still listens to these guys without earphones You’re probably missing that whispery echo during Cesar’s initial solo. Great effort, Mortius! I do not envy you the job of trying to figure out this absurd bit of #genius !

[@daniellej850]

Anyone from the UK will also know this as the Alton Towers theme tune 😊

[@wh15p]

Yep! Always will be 😁

[@BurnsBridges]

Voiceplay reaction day shall henceforth be known as “Broken Mortius Day” 😂 MASON!!! 👏🏻 As for the carrot, there is a video on KZbin, explaining how that became a long running gag between Layne and J-None…and it’s hilarious. Excellent reaction!

[@poodleladylady5686]

I hope Cesar and ashley's relatives are ok that still reside in PR. Fiona has destroyed that island. My son lived in aguadilla during Maria and it was awful. My prayers go out to all.

[@keithrodman9318]

This one was definitely more of a reaction than an analysis. Don't know if I enjoyed VPs video or your almost total meltdown more! Thank you Mason for the background information. I'm only familiar with the song through one of the Halloween cd's from Manheim Steamroller, though that you mention it, I think I have heard snippets of it elsewhere. Looking forward to seeing the next one! Thank you all for making my day.

[@yesnonotexactly25]

Watch Rob and Austin from Home Free sing Nessum Dorma! Let's just say there's no way for you to possibly predict how this video goes

[@leightadlock4877]

Finally!!! I have been waiting for your reaction. Your reaction was worth the wait! Wow! The first time I've seen you speechless. Lol.

[@finalboss1015]

The amount of changes throughout this cover reminded me of VoicePlay's cover of "In This Moment" on Season 4 Episode 1 on The Sing Off.

[@dannyjones1529]

this has to be one of the best reations ive seen you do.....lmfao

[@elven4648]

don't know if it's been mentioned in other comments already but as a former band student this song is well known for the increasing tempo as the song progresses.

[@AlwaysAndForever7]

I didn’t even recognize voiceplay at first! I only read the short title so I didn’t have that as a giveaway 😅 it’s so different! I love it! The Cesar intro makes more sense now though lol

[@jimcoogan1529]

Great reaction. Elizabeth was a background voice in The Showman Medley, and Frozen 2.

[@Robert.Sheard]

Each character's voice changes after tasting the soup.

[@charlesbouthillier7216]

This video broke our Mortius.... Watch how they keep adding to the cauldron then taken a sip after an ingredient is added it's a complete story and I loved it, but your reaction just killed me... They actually broke you

[@myvids3115]

In this case it would have helped to solve the confusion with watching a classical arrangement of the piece. There is a lot of creative freedom employed by Voiceplay. The micro story telling in the video is brilliant and a bit different to the Peer Gynt narrative. They more put up a Walpurgis theme brewing some strange tincture than Gynt progressing the cave encountering strange gnomes and creatures, finally conquering the mountain king fleeing in the end. Arrangement is genius. With lots of humor and great creative artistic expression. One of my favorites by now. Hope you recover from your synesthetic breakdown Mortius. 😅

[@Cordelia53]

OMG Mortius.....They definitely broke you. I laughed so hard at your reactions throughout the entire video, that I almost fell out of my chair...lmao

[@Kronopticon]

I've never seen someone's brain melt in real time. Magnificent

[@eternalnyx]

At 11:21 I had to pause and take a break. I was laughing so hard I was snorting and crying. Oh this video was brilliant. Looking forward to more

[@Bluebell_uk]

Right watching this on the bus to work. Please Mortius don't make me laugh out loud too much 🤞🏻🤞🏻 Edit: think your reaction was similar to mine the first time i watched it. Cant wait to see your Kidnap the Sandy Claws reaction. Also yes i was laughing on the bus.

[@Wildecat10]

Lizzie was in the Just Sing video because she had sung with VoicePlay. You heard her in the Frozen II medley and Greatest Showman medley. (That was her very high singing over the section where the five of them were beatboxing. Check the video info - Liz is listed.). Funny thing, after Lizzie did the run through for this, she remarked to Layne that he hadn’t given her anything high to sing.

[@shirleykarr560]

Flummoxed Mortius is fun. Educational Mason for the win! We've heard Liz's ethereal voice in Greatest Showman (when they're all beatboxing) and in Frozen Medley. For a long time I thought that was Adriana double-tracked, but nope, it's Liz. She also confirmed that is a finger Troll Eli wants to put in the pot but she flicks it away. Anyone else notice Geoff and Cesar do not taste the potion? And everyone has a different kind of spoon.

[@ThunderCat730]

I laughing so hard I'm crying. Love the reaction

[@bjspeck4337]

Liz sung the high background vocals in Frozen 2. It didn't sound like Arianna nice to know who it was. They start with an unfinished pot of stuff. Liz adds something that makes the operatic, Cesar puts in Spider Legs from a jar that makes Layne drunk, Eli throws his bad self into the pot and later the really big chili pepper which ramps up the tempo, Geoff puts in the dry ice or liquid nitrogen, Layne throws in the carrot at the end. In the original music (no lyrics) the main character in the Peer Gynt Suite is taken in to the trolls, head troll wants him to become a troll, marry his daughter and when refused, gets mad and the music gets faster, louder and ends.

[@johndeeregreen4592]

I was today years old when I found out she did the background high notes on Frozen 2 with VoicePlay (found out a few hours ago, actually).

[@creationsbychancecan]

I think this is very Halloweenish too. I get such a kick when a song breaks you. Elizabeth adds the spice to this one. Did you hear that Omar Cordona is on The Voice? He got a four judge turn which he so deserves.

[@marymulligan3053]

I love a Mortius malfunction, great reaction, had me laughing! I needed this today!

[@ChrisKing25]

I've been waiting for this😁 its like watching somebody walking toward a trap. Lol! This was great! Love you, Mortius. Love you, Mason. Love you, Caesar.

[@davidstokes1308]

To be honest. My favorite voiceplay reaction you have done lol.

[@kaejuka6249]

"i'm so intimidated!" what a perfect way to describe this song lol

[@lilasullivan3538]

Mortius, I love you especially when you’re confused! Now I’m gonna go watch VoicePlay again! Sometimes you don’t have to understand, just enjoy.

[@harrisonblackwood7197]

That's great! Love voiceplay😍

[@Rohrae]

I love the original of this and I was so intrifued when I saw that Voiceplay had covered it. It was fascinating to see how they would turn a purely instrumental piece into acapella.

[@tracy776]

There's a whole backstory to the carrot. It's a Layne vs J None thing and the carrot in some form or another shows up in a bunch of their videos. There is a youtube video out there that goes into it

[@finalboss1015]

I would enjoy watching a Mortius reaction to this specific reaction. Knowing what he knows now.

[@ashbii7632]

I wheeeeeeezed with laughter. You poor thing, This video is Chaos incarnate.

[@stuartfaulds1580]

The Hall of the Mountain king is also the theme tune for Manic Miner (for the Spectrum) at least during gameplay. Edit: The inebriated Laine reminds me of Eccles from the British Comedy radio & later Tv Show, The Goon Show. Edit 2: The swing tempo portion has echo's of Inspector Gadgit to me. Edit 3: glad you listened to the outro and let it break you further :D and your eeping at what they were doing was amusing. There are also at least a couple of Hall of the Mountain King with vocals as well.

[@gilliandrysdale5306]

I get that you don’t have words! ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@kiracattan4624]

OMG... I love watching your reaction to this! Mortius, you're so cute when you break. 😂

[@minneyruth]

Mortius, you gotta check out Austin and Robs new video they just dropped. They sing opera 🤯🤯 lol I think you'll like it. It's on Austin's channel

[@staceysmith8173]

OMG you beat me here 🤣🤣

[@johndeeregreen4592]

That piece by them absolutely blew me away... just another testament to their versatility.

[@reflexxuns767]

Lol! Your reactions are always so entertaining! This was a Layne brainchild so what more can be said? Thanks!

[@Ida-Christine]

I knew you wouldn't be ready for this one.

[@KaaSerpent]

Others probably said this, but...if you pay attention, each of them adds something to the potion, then some or all of them taste it, and it changes their voices or their styles. And then at the very end, Layne (the Carrot Lord) adds the carrot and they all explode. Operatic Layne and Drunk Layne are my favorites. :)

[@DravenGal]

“Lyrics?” says Voiceplay! “Who needs lyrics to make an awesome song?” Great reaction. Interesting info on the piece too, I knew of it, have heard it, but didn’t know its history.