THE L.I.F.E. PROJECT, the collaboration between STONE SOUR guitarist Josh Rand and vocalist Casandra Carson, have released their take on LED ZEPPELIN’s classic “Immigrant Song.” The cover is out now via Frontiers Music Srl alongside an official visualizer.
The release follows THE L.I.F.E. PROJECT’s previous cover of BLONDIE’s “Call Me” and, according to Rand, similarly began without any plans for an official release.
“Like ‘Call Me,’ we never planned to release ‘Immigrant Song,’” Rand explains. “In 2019, we moved into a new house, with a new home studio. Really, the music was all put together with me just messing around with the vintage gear I had. Once I started working with Casandra, I asked her if she wanted to take a shot at this for the fun of it.”
For Carson, the song has a connection stretching back to an unexpected childhood introduction through Shrek the Third.
“Ironically, the first time I remember hearing ‘Immigrant Song’ was in Shrek the Third, haha!!” Carson recalls. “The second I heard Snow White sing that Viking war cry, my soul and my senses lit up like I’d been struck by lightning. My dad told me it was a song by Led Zeppelin, and I became as obsessed as a kid who just tried chocolate for the first time. I couldn’t get enough.”
The song remained on Carson’s list of tracks she wanted to perform as she began playing in bands, eventually finding its way into her collaboration with Rand.
“Years later, when I started performing in bands, ‘Immigrant Song’ remained at the top of my list of songs I wanted to cover,” she continues. “It was only fitting that I would suggest it to Josh, as well, when we first began working together. I guess now I’ll have to watch Shrek the Third again to celebrate our new release.”
THE L.I.F.E. PROJECT began taking shape in 2020 after a mutual connection introduced Rand to Carson, known for her work with PARALANDRA and CASANDRA’S CROSSING. Rand had previously envisioned developing a female-fronted project, and the pair’s initial experimentation grew into an ongoing musical collaboration.
The project combines Rand’s heavy guitar work and melodic hooks with Carson’s powerful vocal approach, drawing from classic metal, thrash and progressive influences. Their original material also ventures into themes including history, social issues, empowerment, resistance and societal conflict.
“Immigrant Song” is available now via Frontiers Music Srl.
THE L.I.F.E. PROJECT are
Casandra Carson — Vocals
Josh Rand — Guitar