League of Legends’ newest boy band HEARTSTEEL stormed onto the global music stage today with an electrifying debut single, “PARANOIA,” which already has over 800,000 views on YouTube.
With every new musical project that Riot Games announces, the anticipation and hype from fans grow tenfold, making it progressively more difficult to exceed expectations. But it seems like this time, there won’t be a dead rockstar—just the rise of another chart-topping group.
It’s still a bit too early to draw concussions, but it looks like the League of Legends community has embraced Riot’s latest music group in a heartbeat. HEARTSTEEL commanded attention from the first verse of “PARANOIA,” and instead of “praying for the death of a rock star,” it seems fans are praying for the rise of these new music icons.
The music video for “PARANOIA,” produced by SAUVAGE.TV, the same team responsible for the 2019 Worlds anthem “Phoenix,” takes viewers on an extraordinary visual journey. Seamlessly blending various animation styles, the video evokes a sense of nostalgia in League fans that harks back to the unique aesthetics of Fortiche Studio’s work like “Get Jinxed” and Arcane. The comic-like animations featured in the “PARANOIA” music video also share a faint resemblance to the acclaimed movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, creating a visually striking and unforgettable experience for fans.
Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of musical genres and eras, HEARTSTEEL features six League champions whose music resonates with relentless energy and daring creativity and is described by Riot as a “genre-bending group.” The unconventional lineup features vocalists like BAEKHYUN as Ezreal, rapper ØZI as Sett, Tobi Lou as K’Sante, rapper Cal Scruby as Kayn, and the silent Aphelios as the group’s songwriter, all under the production of Yone.
With just one track and music video, HEARTSTEEL is looking to make its way “to the top floor” of the gaming and music industry, leaving its mark with a unique essence and style that sets it apart from Riot’s previous music endeavors. But the six group members now have to prove they’re here to play in the big leagues. Similarly, Riot and fans will have to wait to see if we’ll witness the rise of a new supergroup able to rival True Damage, Pentakill, and K/DA.
HEARTSTEEL’s emergence in the music scene adds another exciting dimension to Riot’s ever-expanding portfolio, demonstrating its commitment to creating immersive experiences for fans of the League universe and music enthusiasts alike. HEARTSTEEL has indeed made a statement with a debut that refuses to be ignored in the world of virtual music. Just as the lyrics suggest, the group is here to stay and no one can pray for the “death of a rockstar” when they’re on the rise.
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