Metal Vocalist First Time Hearing - VoicePlay - Valhalla Calling

[@johndeeregreen4592]

I have been a bass vocalist for probably as long as you've been alive... and I have never heard another bass who compares to Geoff. No, he is not the lowest, no he isn't the loudest, and he uses a bit of fry around the edges on notes near the bottom of his chest range (something a lot of bass purists frown on), but yet, he is the absolute best all around bass I have ever heard.

[@anthonywall4417]

I would say it is Geoff followed by Eric Holloway with Tim foust being a startlingly close third for most rich and well controlled bassists in the game.

[@geminilady75]

I would have to throw Avi Kaplan into the mix too. His bass has a real depth to it.

[@anthonywall4417]

@@geminilady75 him and Tim would be tied for third compared too Eric and geoff just cause of the absolute stupid control through their whole range. They go too those depths with a ease that few can replicate

[@johndeeregreen4592]

@@geminilady75, with Avi, he is a true basso profundo... which only means he can hit extreme volume without a mic below Eb2 and down to C2. His resonance isn't quite there compared to Geoff and Eric, though. A lot of bassos don't have Geoff's resonance, but they can sing live without a mic, where even many resonance basses cannot. Another basso who can sing live acoustically you should check out is John Ames... he is the only basso to ever hit an A1 in an opera. Mr. Ames has a piercing bass tone that is just out of this world.

[@garrettmartinez8255]

What would y'all think about Elliot Robinson tho?

[@BetsySchiller-sj2sm]

From watching interviews, a lot of their featured talent are friends of theirs that they worked with at Disney and Universal. It's amazing so many talented people just out there. A vocal coach showed on her phone how high Eli is singing by playing Beyonce and Whitney Houston singing the same notes. He's incredible. Glad you enjoyed them as much as I did❤

[@Backtotheviews]

I saw that, there are so many talented people.

[@ilonadever8249]

Geoff has said that the trick to the arrangement is to arrange for the voices you have not the ones you wish you had. I know they did a cover with someone (unnamed) and it just didn't work so never released. But they have a short list of people that they work with frequently and then add new people to the list. Anthony Gargiula is new to the mix, he did Golden Hour with them. Geoff and Layne have been singing together since middle school and professonally since 1997. Eli's been with them since 2010, so they know each other's voices and capabilities very well. They have a new one being released soon, possibly by the end of the week. You're gonna love it!

[@Badger77722]

I've heard that Anthony G. was originally supposed to be the featured artist in Hoist the Colors, but couldn't make it because of pandemic travel restrictions. So Jose Rosario Jr. kindly stepped in, but actually sang the part Eli was originally supposed to sing, and Eli sang what would have been Anthony G's part. Says a lot about your reputation when someone's not only willing to step in at the last minute, but take a non-featured role to boot (even though Jose Rosario Jr. was given featured artist credits for the video).

[@christinamoxon]

@@Badger77722 I didn't know this. I love Jose (and Anthony, too) and always felt he was under-utilised in Hoist the Colours for a featured artist. Now it makes sense. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[@janetdw]

I like that they start with J staring out across the water. He’s been away (in the Navy) and now he’s come back. The rap was added and some hints to his being in the military (ops, etc). The makeup and a lot of the costuming is from when they did My Mother Told Me. Added to their tattoos are runes spelling out VoicePlay.

[@randiskye4444]

Is that what the Runes are saying? I was so curious!! I like the "plotline" in this one regarding J. The rest of the guys are already in Odin's Hall, and J. is separated by way of still being alive. Then he crosses over (through the creaking door) into the Hall, to rejoin his mates and answer the call to Valhalla!! Not many have commented on this imagery.

[@huldradraco]

They choose their feature depending on the voice they need for the song they have chosen to do that month. But every now and the they choose the feature first and the song after, usually if an artist has a wish for a song or if they suddenly are available for a limited time and they just have to fit a song to the voice they now have available.

[@kathrynphelps9771]

Well, J None was a member of the band for years until he left to join the US Navy, he sings with them when he can when on leave. Thers a vid called 'Just Sing' you need to see with the captions because it tells who all the collaborators were when they sang with VOICEPLAY.

[@janetdw]

They really need to do Just Sing 2 because they’ve had so many new collaborators. Just Sing was done during Covid and that was a few years back. But it is a wonderful way to find out a lot of the collaborators that they have used up to that point. It really shows the diversity of voices that they are able to work with.

[@Starrynightdiner]

Geoff (Jeff) doesn’t know how good he is. You will never meet a more humble guy. He really doesn’t know why people freak out on his mad skills. His favorite saying is that he is old and boring. Oh and Eli rhymes with Jelly. Nit tge way you said it. ❤❤

[@johndeeregreen4592]

I am a bass vocalist with over 30 years experience and I have never heard another bass who compares to Geoff's overall skills, so that's saying something. I fan-boy out over his skills, and I thought I seen it all before discovering Geoff a few years ago. It's rare to find a bass as low as him with the vocal agility and marvelous tone, that's the secret of why he sounds so damn good! There are plenty of bass singers who are deeper (myself included), but NONE who can bounce around a 5 octave range seamlessly the way he does. On a good day, my range is a hair over 6 octaves, but I cannot do what he does and would never profess I can; I can sing low and I can sing high... going from one to the other in the same moment and sounding good is next level.

[@ronsbrat525]

Awesome reaction John. The song they're doing is whos Voice fits best. They are extremely talented at that and everything they do. Geoff is Jeff. Eli is elly like jelly. Short for Eliezer. Voiceplay released their new video on Patreon last week. It is badass. Apocalyptic time again. We had Dream On and Warriors. Now this one. Will probably premiere on KZbin Friday but don't quote me😊. Geoff is taking this month off from his channel. Have you done Mission Jingle Bells by them? It is awesome. Jingle Bells sung to the mission impossible theme. They won an award in 2019 for "The Best Shorts Video" for it.

[@beverlykrebs4372]

Thanks for the heads up for the new upcoming video! I'll be looking for that!!

[@ronsbrat525]

@@beverlykrebs4372 You're very welcome 🤗

[@par500dragon7]

Eli's (bald tenor, name rhymes with jelly) solo went between a B4 and a D5, then he hit an F5 on the last chord. Geoff hit 2 or 3 B0's in this one. They all pulled all the aggression and vocal power, along with edginess. Cesar got a chance to show some power, and even Layne managed to insert some edge into his normally sweet, mellow voice!

[@Aurora-cv5to]

Geoff has commented that the key to getting it right is arranging for the voices you have, not the voices you wish you had. They live that.... while pushing everyone to do just a bit more. Completely agree with your comments on Layne. His sense of timing (emotional too, not just the beats) is exquisite. He comes in at exactly the right level every time. Of all of them, he's both the most subtle AND plays the broadest. What he does fits the moment every time.

[@loveloochay]

🔥🔥🔥💀☠️💀🔥🔥🔥💀☠️💀 .. nice .. total fire. I knew you would love this cover. You noticed JNone .... he left the band for the military service. He returns when he can .. and of course he nailed the rap ! Amazing talent across the board. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🎼👑🎼🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Cordelia53]

This was not greenscreen. They went somewhere else to film this. The day they filmed, the AC was out, and they were sweating in those furs. They out do themselves every time! I cannot stop watching this, it is amazing!! Geoff hits 3 B0's! Eli has become the Asgardian god of rock, Layne is a beatboxing god, Cesar has become a Berserker, and J None has shown us that rap indeed belongs in acapella! And Miracle of Sound gave this 10 out of 10 raised ale horns!! Great reaction! This from the Assasins Creed Valhalla video game, but that rap is all J None!!

[@karenponchak5304]

Giant LED screens- floor to ceiling, and ceiling. Go figure. Eli designed the scenery in Unreal Engine.

[@Cordelia53]

@@karenponchak5304 Yes he did....lol

[@JillPeterson-dr6ox]

These guys are just amazing. They all have such large vocal ranges, I think Layne (who we don't get to hear sing very often) has the largest range, but that might have changed with Geoff reaching new depths and Eli getting some of those ridiculous highs. Geoff has a tutorial on how he arranges and Layne did an interview with Charismatic Voice talking about how he arranges.

[@ericturner7824]

J.None, feat, artist...was a regular member of voiceplay fron 2018-2021.......He comes back to 'play' when he is on leave from the Navy.....the rap part...was written by the same person who did the 'rap' on their cover of the Stevie Wonder song 'Superstition'.....think haunted house rap....J.None strikes again.....check it out......>^^

[@janetdw]

And I get the impression that the guy who wrote the rap for J hinted at his military service with terms like ops. I don’t think they had that back in the time.

[@reececoventree9849]

If you want something amazing watch Hall of the Mountain King. It shows another side of Voiceplay. "Silliness". That's in quotations because everything from the arrangement to setting is on point.

[@ericzeichert511]

Geoff and Layne do the arrangements on almost all VP music. Elli does a lot of the set design and backstage stuff,

[@kryptokeeper1422]

I have not seen anyone say this about J None being alone in the first part. I have seen that people suggest he wasn't able to shoot at a specific time when they did the first part of the video. But it's almost like Voice Play is in Valhalla but when the door opens and he walks in the hall where the rest of them are, J None is making it to Valhalla. He greets them spiting bars of course and nice harmony. Maybe I'm thinking to much. But that's what it looks like to me. When the doors open he joins them in Valhalla. Also have to mention how great their enunciation singing some those full out parts are. 👏👏👏👍

[@AshleyG24601fan]

I agree with you. The others are already in Valhalla (the bar) and J. None is on his way due to an upcoming battle. Then after he dies he enters Valhalla and joins his fellow fallen warriors. I wish they'd shown them welcoming him to emphasize it. Geoff lifts his cup to him when he enters, but that's it lol.

[@faemike55]

It doesn't matter how many times I hear/see this song., I still get goosebumps up my spine.

[@Masq1980]

absolutely love this song and cover. It is just friggan EPIC! Everyone killed it. I am surprised though, that you haven't done a Voiceplay playlist yet. Also you should check out their cover of 'Drunken Sailor' it was recently released and is another piratey inspired song and it is friggan hillarious!

[@bjspeck4337]

J None was a member of VoicePlay before the US Navy recruited him for his vocal skills (it's a 5 yr stint - 2 down, 3 to go). At his goodbye party, he said that he would be back and as he has had leave, he has returned and done the lead in Friends on the Other Side, Nothing Else Matters and Valhalla Calling as well as some shorts/minis that you can look up and do 3 or so for a reaction. Being one person short on a regular basis has allowed them to take advantage of the people they've known while working at the theme parks. They of course do all their own arranging and knowing the vocal skills of the people they have worked with before gives them a big leg up and versatility bar none. Did you like the creaking door that Layne pulled off with his beatboxing. Don't take him for granted, he's one of the very best. By the way, you got Geoff correct but Eli rhymes with jelly.

[@judithL3100]

Please do more of the a capella groups…..miss your reactions!

[@stitchbtch703]

Have you listened to their version of The Oogie Boogie Song? Geoff has a range that will shock you!

[@lawrenceblack8968]

Here's a fun one: The Hall of the Mountain King ft. Elizabeth Garazzo. Yeah, yeah, no words, just EPIC.

[@Maerahn]

Well J.None is a previous member, who left to sing with the Navy on a five-year service. He comes back every now and then while on shore leave to sing with them - and a lot of Voiceplayas believe the reason they're keeping the fifth spot as a 'guest spot' is so that they can reserve that space for when J.None finishes his Navy service and can rejoin them permanently again. As for their guests... many of them are friends the various Voiceplay members have met and worked with over the years. In fact, their newest member, Cesar, is like the Kevin Bacon of the acapella world, since he went to school with Ashley Diane and Jose Rosario Jr., and was roomates for a while with Omar Cardona. 😊

[@Broomrider1492]

Geoff (Jeff), and Eli (Elly rhymes with Jelly). They got 10 ale horns out of 10 from Miracle of Sound for the most creative cover.

[@cliffmorain7215]

J None is a former member of VoicePlay, they know him very well.

[@kittiesice]

I love how clever it was adding that rap verse into the song. Not only did it had a whole other level of amazing to it but it also fits for another reason. You see Vikings used to do something akin to rap battles called "flyting". They even show Flyting in assassins' creed Valhalla.

[@IFdude]

I've watched probably a couple dozen reactions and read most of the comments. You're the first person that recognized the rap in this likely being inspired by the tradition of flyting. Fantastic!

[@kittiesice]

@@IFdude Well, I remembered learning what it was from a reactor watching the Thor vs Zeus ERB video. One of the lines in it was literally "Vahalla at your boys and we'll Flyte it out!". They were a history teacher and recognized it right away, so when I saw they added a rap verse I was so surprised but it fit so well.

[@iamsquatty]

This is really one of their best, totally knocked this out of the park!

[@leechowning8728]

Because they have worked in major productions, for both Disney and WB-Universal, they have a near endless phonebook. But the reason it works so well is the same reason all their songs do. They are naturally wanting to share. Only a few songs, like Oogie Boogie, focus on a single one. It is why people who only watch Voiceplay do not realize Eli is a full power rock singer (having been in a rock/metal group first), Layne has an incredible voice, or that Geoff could easily be a barbershop quartet by himself. They share the roles, never overplaying a single person. And when they have a guest, they do the same thing, pushing that person to be the best as well.

[@mityakiselev]

Mans is holding a B0 subharmonic for an entire verse with a slide 💀 (non-musicians take a wild guess at where this note can be found on a contrabass or a standard 4-string bass guitar)

[@kpednault]

You should check out their version of "The Dragonborn comes Skyrim"!!

[@kpednault]

Geoff goes even lower in his version of Misty Mountains lol

[@qsmyth6502]

J None was a member of Voiceplay and chose to join the US Navy. When he has leave, he rejoins them to do a major song. Eli is pronounced El-EE. Yes, Geoff is pronounced Jeff. It's the common British spelling that seems to throw off a LOT of people. You're right, Layne and Geoff, they do most of the arranging, make a point of giving their featured guest a good shot. In fact, Layne felt that he'd failed to give a big enough part to Ashley Diane in her first appearance with them (If I Were a Rich Man) and arranged their version of We Don't Talk About Bruno to give her more of a feature.

[@karenzak6627]

Great reaction, thank you!

[@ljk5464]

This is the sequel to My Mother Told Me cover. The same face make up and Cesar is wearing the cloak that José Rosario Jr wore in MMTM video.

[@wolfmama7879]

J.None is in the Navy when he is not with the band. Geoff is a sub harmonic bass singer. I have been singing since I was a little girl so I know what I am listening to and I am an alto and sparano depending on what song I am singing.

[@erinromary2796]

I have been waiting for you to do this one. So good. I really show watch Geoff’s solo version of The Sound of Silence. So amazing!

[@barbarakennedy2667]

Geoff becomes a war horn when he goes Viking

[@csdangerfield]

love your post song conversation and questions!

[@bridgettoverton9770]

J. None in particular works with them because he was in Voiceplay at one point and left to the military I believe he was replaced by Ceasar...J. None had replaced others too.

[@do0ranfrump260]

This is one of Miracle of Sound's best songs and voiceplay did it justice.

[@lasuz2268]

Just an FYI… Eli is pronounced like “jelly”. I really enjoy your reactions.

[@lkayh]

Loved this reaction and I agree with everything you’s aid. Only thing-probably someone mentioned it but Eli rhymes with Jelly in this case. Love it when he rocks out.

[@kirstenwyatt9675]

JNone is a previous member that "left" when the Navy recruited him for their choir division. Geoff has a solo channel where he gives some tips and tricks for how he sings. The costumes and make-up are a continuance from their cover of My Mother Told Me

[@AuntDandy]

Love it!💜💜💜

[@mindylafler3456]

I am excited for J None to come back full time.

[@Gael4ce]

He has implied that he plans to stay in the Navy for longer than his initial hitch…I don’t think he has any plans to come back full time. 😕

[@mindylafler3456]

@@Gael4ce 😭

[@DaisyGray74]

I was waiting for you to see this one! Epic as Hell, yeah? They truly keep topping themselves. Great reaction!

[@amberfuchscia709]

Thank you for a truly great reaction. Loved it.

[@dorisg.3]

good analysis 👍this is one of my favorite songs of yours, amazing 🫠🫶🤩

[@Chris-ig4fn]

I think this was one of the easiest of their choices for a feature since, I don’t know if anyone else has mentioned this but, J.none used to be a member of voice play, Caesar took his place when he signed on to join the Navy and sing in the navel choir. He is still good friends and keeps in touch with them and updates the band on how he’s doing. I think they recorded a couple of songs and did videos with him when he was on leave. I’m sure we will see more with him and rightfully so. J none is incredible and always has been.

[@christinestromberg4057]

They do have a good selection of friends in the business to choose from and it appears they choose which voice will suit the song best. For instance a young woman when appropriate. They just know their craft. Of course occasonally there is a question of availability when they have fall back on who is available. That happened in Hoist The Colours but to my mind it worked out brilliantly. Jose Rosario was, for me, the right man for the job.

[@steveeverett1736]

If you follow both Home Free and VP, you'll learn they are good friends and will often help each other out on production, because they both performed on The Singoff (which is almost 10 years ago)

[@masaniazura2131]

You have a great speaking voice. You should sign up with a community choir. Then. You will learn how vocals are identified, coordinated, and happen. When you've know each other/been with a group as long as they have, everyone has a basic idea what their initial part/contribution will be. When you are able to arrange music, you can visualize the end results...basically. Joint collaborations with you fellow artists leads to a dynamic end result.

[@terrytwobears4969]

yes we should hes the reasons i saved thissong

[@kaitlynheater6088]

I think we've all come to the conclusion that Geoff has both dwarven and Dragon blood somehow. For proof watch their Dragonborne Comes and his Misty Mountains.

[@GreybeardMO]

This feature, J None, is a former member. Need a rapper? Who else you going to go to? 12 years together, lots of practice and dedication... and natural ability. Every member is outstanding on their own. Together, incredible.

[@davidgiles4380]

Voiceplay, "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica...... you won't be disappointed

[@vickitucksen7363]

Geoff has his own channel where he sings with himself

[@crisejeremy95]

You need to check out Oogie Boogie from voiceplay

[@emilyelizabethbuchanan998]

Geoff reminds me of a less-raspy Candy Candido, in this one.

[@quentosgersiddii8324]

id suggest i seefire fromthe hobbit by these guys too

[@crowquillgal1016]

Eli got such a strong presence in this one… I feel like Layne just said, just , you know, Rock-tenor the whole song. Yep. Whole thing. Let ‘er rip.

[@DravenGal]

"El-lee." Not "E-Lie." But fantastic reaction!

[@ljk5464]

Eli is pronounced Ellie (as in jelly).

[@stpatty3310]

Both VoicePlay and Geoff's arrangements are hit and miss for me. This is absolutely the best I've heard, from start to finish.

[@sianne79]

Sub-woofer Jesus

[@eternbd7853]

There is more to the end of the music video

[@crystalfire5564]

Did you need to change the title? This isn’t Hoist the Colours. It was good though

[@JohnReavesLive]

Lol yeah KZbin Glitch! But I fixed it after reading your comment! Thank you 🙏

[@nitromaster9472]

I will probably get a lot of sh*** for this comment, but to be complletly honest , i like the version from Miracle Of Sound ft. Peyton Parrish a lot more (whitch is btw. the original). Don't get me wrong as far as singing goes VoicePlay are great but this song doesn't feel right with the high vocals. This interpretation feels like a watered down version from MOS and Peyton, still nice to hear but theirs is great to hear. Tnx for your reaction P.S for those who are curious, here is the link to the version from Miracle Of Sound ft. Peyton Parrish. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnial56Vebqta8k

[@mikelucas-rg2gu]

John my guy … try something a little different . LiSA and EIR AOi who both duet together live on their well known sword art online intro’s . I defy you not to be impressed , and get a feel for LiSAs stage presence kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXe3fZaLep51ebs

[@JohnReavesLive]

I freakin LOVE LiSA! I’ll add this to the list!!

[@user-sd7hb4ub4y]

Ive recently stopped at your place .like your reactions. Maybe you read this maybe not... But im listening 🏴‍☠️