The penultimate episode of Game of Thrones, “Blackwater”, airs this Sunday. It’s directed by Neil Marshall (!!!) of Centurion and Doomsday fame, and it is written by George RR Martin (!!!!!!!). It will most likely be the biggest episode of the entire season, and the fanboy excitement is palpable.
So what better way to get excited for destruction and death than a new song by the National? Featured on the Game of Thrones season two soundtrack and featuring lead singer Matt Berninger doing his best Johnny Cash impression, the song (which, truthfully, sounds like a Murder by Death song) is haunting, foreboding and in every way, shape and form excellent. Give it a listen above and sharpen your arrows; this is going to be a bloodbath.
For those wondering what Castamere is (I was), here is the blurb on it from the Game of Thrones wiki: Castamere was a castle in the Westerlands and the seat of House Reyne. It was destroyed by Tywin Lannister when House Reyne rose in rebellion against their liege lord, Tytos Lannister. It seems very appropriate, then, that this song plays like an old folk hymn, and I can’t imagine the song won’t actually appear in the show in one of the final two episodes.
And just for good measure here’s a poster for you:
