An algorithm did the casting for once, and Mortemia have released a version of Tears for Fears' "Shout" sung by Marita Hellem.
The single came out on 13 November and is the fourteenth instalment of The Cover Collab Sessions, the series in which Morten Veland reworks a familiar song with a different guest vocalist each time. It is out on streaming with an official video.
Veland found Hellem on Instagram. "I first discovered Marita on instagram a while back, and instantly took notice of her voice," he said. "Sometimes the algorithms can bring you nice unexpected surprises." He then waited for the right song: "I have had Marita's voice in mind since then and I finally found a song that I thought would be an awesome fit with Marita's voice." Hellem, who has spent years moving between genres in the underground, said she felt honoured by the invitation and has a long affection for the music of the 1980s.
"Shout" was released by Tears for Fears in 1984 and remains one of the British duo's best known songs. The thirteenth instalment of the series went to a Pet Shop Boys song.
Mortemia is Veland's own project, begun in 2009. He founded Tristania and has led Sirenia since 2001.