"Hi there, my name is Leo and I run a studio on the westside of Norway"
February 12, 2022 7:43 AM   Subscribe

I wouldn't consider myself a metal head. I had not, previously, been in the habit of intentionally searching out metal covers. So I'm not entirely sure why, a couple weeks ago, YouTube's algorithm decided to suggest Norwegian musician and music producer Leo Moracchioli's cover of Toto's Africa or what, exactly, made me click on it. But I can't say that I'm sorry I did. I've been diving down the rabbit hole since and, if you'd like to join me, there's plenty

Leo's YouTube channel, Frog Leap Studios, features Vlogs, Tutorials and Gear reviews, along with a smattering of other random stuff but the big draw, at least for me, is his extensive collection of metal covers.

Although the occasional video features guest artists, most of Moracchioli's covers are 100% Leo: he plays every instrument, his own arrangements, and records, mixes, masters and edits all the music and videos.

With over 400 covers on the channel and counting, his repertoire is as ecclectic as it is extensive. Honestly, your best bet is probably just to open up the play list and click "play all."

If you'd like a more curated introduction, YouTube channel Accoustic Music Collection—which appears to create compilations—has put together a "Greatest Hits" album. (It's unclear to me whether they're creating compilations with artists' permission or not so, while I won't argue with the contents of the list, I'll be linking Moracchioli's own videos directly, rather than the compilation itself.) Not enough? No problem! While I haven't listened to all of them yet (did I mention there are a lot?) here are, in no particular order, some of my personal favourites. If, at this point, you are still, somehow, doubting his ability to turn basically anything into a metal song then be sure to check out his children's song collection featuring classics such as: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, The Wheels on the Bus and If You're Happy and You Know It. And be sure not miss his rendition of Let It Go - from Frozen which might, after all these years, finally make the song palatable to parents. Or not. YMMV.
posted by Mister_Sleight_of_Hand (30 comments total) 28 users marked this as a favorite
 
Toss a Coin to Your Witcher is going to be my weekend vibe.
posted by johnxlibris at 8:15 AM on February 12, 2022 [3 favorites]


He needs to calm down...
posted by Czjewel at 9:01 AM on February 12, 2022


This is the thing I had absolutely no idea that I needed.
posted by thedward at 9:07 AM on February 12, 2022 [3 favorites]


Losing My Religion yt

nothing wrong with it but I'm pretty sure Graveworm's take has Lucifer himself on vox.
posted by philip-random at 9:18 AM on February 12, 2022


I don't know what it is about that song (it's so bad) but there are so many incredible covers (of Africa). also check out his friend's T-shirt (Joy Division kitties wooo!)
posted by supermedusa at 9:19 AM on February 12, 2022


He needs to calm down...

I suspect if he is like this ALL THE TIME it might be a little enervating, but I think it is just fine for a three-minute video. As I think I wrote in a previous FPP about his “Africa” cover, this is a guy who is rejoicing.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 9:26 AM on February 12, 2022 [3 favorites]


there are so many incredible covers (of Africa)

Oh, indeed.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 9:30 AM on February 12, 2022 [4 favorites]


I have been a fan of this channel for a while. I love the unabashed fun he is having.
posted by gwydapllew at 9:36 AM on February 12, 2022 [4 favorites]


Hearing a metal cover of Toto's Africa just makes me want to hear a metal cover of Toto's Dune Main Theme so much harder. [cookie monster voice] THE BEGINNING IS A VERY DELICATE TIME
posted by phooky at 9:52 AM on February 12, 2022 [3 favorites]


I never realized how much the start of Yellow sounds like the start of Dashboard Confessional's Vindicated (or vice versa? I can't remember which came out first and damned if I'm gonna look it up)
posted by dismas at 11:12 AM on February 12, 2022


Leo's a riot but those contacts freak me out.
posted by djeo at 11:56 AM on February 12, 2022


The look of pleasure when the doorbell rings and his friends are there to help with the Africa cover is delightful. It makes his metal voice seem more Cookie Monster than Demonic Monster From The Abyss.
posted by straight at 1:20 PM on February 12, 2022 [4 favorites]


Rasputin! W00t!
posted by JohnFromGR at 1:22 PM on February 12, 2022 [1 favorite]


His outro on the Africa video is probably the most slammin' cross-promotional marketing trailer ever to appear on YouTube.
posted by xthlc at 2:24 PM on February 12, 2022 [2 favorites]


Also, another valuable thing about Leo's work is that the songs he covers are often pop hits with easy lyrics and few bad words. Which makes them *excellent* kid-friendly metal for the little headbangers in your life. I love his channel to bits.
posted by xthlc at 2:25 PM on February 12, 2022 [1 favorite]


(direct link the above mentioned outro)
posted by xthlc at 2:30 PM on February 12, 2022


Yeah the youtube algo dished his channel up to me a few years back. Johnny B. Goode (not mentioned here yet) is my 3rd favorite cover by him after Sultans of Swing and Africa.
posted by MillMan at 3:16 PM on February 12, 2022 [2 favorites]


Thanks, Mister! Leo is awesome!

His Feel Good Inc. is Gorillaz guerrillas, but he's definitely not a gorilla. He's messing with your head and it... feels good. Check that one out.
posted by The Half Language Plant at 3:26 PM on February 12, 2022 [1 favorite]


WAP for best guest puppet.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 5:26 PM on February 12, 2022 [3 favorites]


Leo/Frogleap is amazing, been casually following since he popped up in my YT reccs a few years back. Love his talent, his sense of humour and the other people/puppets he brings in to mix things up

Off the top of my head, see also:
Folsom Prison Blues
Come Together
I Fink U Freeky
Black Betty

But really, he's done so many covers. Just dig around for things you might like and be pleasantly surprised!
posted by I'm always feeling, Blue at 10:34 PM on February 12, 2022


Toss a Coin to Your Witcher is going to be my weekend vibe.

As far as I'm concerned this is now the definitive version of the song. If Netflix makes a third season, I don't care how they have to bend the lore but Jaskier needs to invent the electric guitar or something. ;p

This is the thing I had absolutely no idea that I needed.

Yeah, that was me a couple weeks ago. For me it's really the juxtaposition of popular songs with the heavy guitar, vocals and solos and, in most cases, just utter joyous ridiculousness of the videos which makes me happy in a way I find difficult to describe.

kid-friendly metal for the little headbangers in your life.
Yeah, I don't have kids so hadn't really considered that, apart from the actual children's songs, but it's a great point.

Rasputin! W00t!

Worth the wait, I hope! I thought it was great.
posted by Mister_Sleight_of_Hand at 4:09 AM on February 13, 2022


Oh also, because of this post my "favorited by others" count, very briefly, passed through 666, which amuses me because clearly I occasionally still have the mind of at 12 year old.
posted by Mister_Sleight_of_Hand at 4:12 AM on February 13, 2022


Thanks Mister_Sleight_of_Hand,

Perfect rabbit hole for a cold, dark, snowy morning.
posted by james33 at 5:23 AM on February 13, 2022


Thanks for getting me to take a look at a bunch of Leo's videos again. He's having so much fun, it's fantastic to watch. Sultans of Swing (linked above) takes the cake for.

I've always been amazed at his outros as well, basically writing a little mini song to tell you about various places you can support him. And some of them really deserve to be full songs, although maybe with some different lyrics.
posted by Awfki at 6:28 AM on February 13, 2022 [2 favorites]


Oh, indeed. yt Whoa white people. What a white crowd. I mean, I know it's from the British isles, but still.

But wow! Leo's covers of Africa and Ghostbusters really made my day! I mean, I'm on 4th and 5th viewings within 30 minutes of seeing this post. Thank you!
posted by Snowishberlin at 4:24 PM on February 13, 2022


I Fink U Freeky yt Holy moly! He nailed so many of the dances and vibes of the original video... that was unreal. And the glow in the dark guitar strings are super cool.
posted by Snowishberlin at 4:34 PM on February 13, 2022


One more comment: Can anyone identify the lead guitar in Come Together @ 1:04, 1:17, 1:23, 1:30, etc.? It's blueish, a kind of Telecaster body with dual humbuckers and an inverted head...
posted by Snowishberlin at 5:03 PM on February 13, 2022


I'm not really into metal. But I like to see what he does with covers. If nothing else, on the Africa cover, they are clearly having a ball doing it and that alone makes it worth watching...and it's not a bad cover either :-)
posted by Oh_Bobloblaw at 8:03 AM on February 14, 2022


Me First and the Gimme Gimmes on steroids. I love it.
posted by bendy at 9:26 PM on February 14, 2022


Can anyone identify the lead guitar in Come Together

Because I just keep watching! It's also in the outro to Africa, Rabea is playing it again. I can't get a good read on the brand on the head, though. Still. Sigh.
posted by Snowishberlin at 4:50 PM on February 15, 2022


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