Covering Led Zeppelin is already a fairly ambitious decision.
Discovering “Immigrant Song” because Snow White sang the Viking war cry in Shrek the Third makes the story considerably better.
THE L.I.F.E. PROJECT the collaboration between Stone Sour guitarist Josh Rand and vocalist Casandra Carson of Paralandra and Casandra’s Crossing, has released its take on Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” through Frontiers Music Srl.
Interestingly, it wasn’t originally supposed to be released at all.
Rand says the track dates back to 2019, when he moved into a new home with a new studio and began experimenting with vintage gear. The instrumental arrangement emerged from those sessions, and after he began working with Carson, he asked whether she’d like to take a shot at singing it simply for fun.
Carson didn’t require much convincing.
She remembers first encountering the song in Shrek the Third, when Snow White launches into its unmistakable vocal cry. After her father explained that the song belonged to Led Zeppelin, Carson says she became obsessed with it and eventually placed “Immigrant Song” near the top of her list of songs she wanted to perform.
So, yes, Led Zeppelin deserves most of the credit.
But DreamWorks apparently gets an assist.
The release follows THE L.I.F.E. PROJECT’s previous reworking of “Call Me,” another recording Rand says wasn’t initially intended for release.
THE L.I.F.E. PROJECT began taking shape after Rand and Carson were introduced through a mutual connection in 2020. Rand had been interested in developing a female-fronted project, and the collaboration eventually evolved around his heavy guitar work and melodic instincts alongside Carson’s wide-ranging vocal approach.
Their music draws from classic metal, thrash and progressive influences while giving both musicians room outside their better-known projects. The pair also stretches beyond standard rock subject matter lyrically, exploring history, empowerment, resistance, social issues and broader real-world tensions.
Taking on “Immigrant Song,” however, presents a different challenge.
Some classic-rock songs have become so familiar that covering them means competing not only with the original recording but with decades of listeners who already know exactly how every second is supposed to sound.
THE L.I.F.E. PROJECT apparently decided that was worth the trouble.
And Carson finally gets to check one off the list.
Now she just has to watch Shrek the Third again.
“Immigrant Song” is available now through Frontiers Music Srl.
Information provided by THE L.I.F.E. PROJECT’s publicity team.