For League of Legends enthusiasts, the annual Worlds event embodies a festive spirit akin to Christmas, Easter, and every other holiday combined. The tournament’s anthem plays a pivotal role, establishing the atmosphere for this premier moment in the esports calendar. Over the past 15 years, various artists have taken on the challenge of crafting this anthem, with varying degrees of success. This year, the spotlight shines on Gloria Tange Sze-wing, known artistically as ‘G.E.M.,’ who aims to leave her indelible mark on Worlds history with her track ‘Sacrifice.’
Anticipation and Delay
The release of this year’s anthem faced delays, as Riot Games made the decision to remove Gabriël ‘Bwipo’ Rau from the video following inappropriate comments made by the FlyQuest toplaner. As anticipation built to a fever pitch, fans finally received the anthem. The question remains: has ‘Sacrifice’ lived up to the expectations? Does it rise above the remarkable tracks that have defined previous tournaments?
A Slow Burn
‘Sacrifice’ unfolds as a slow burner. G.E.M.’s melodious vocals create a continuous swell, leading to a bold crescendo that, while impressive, feels somewhat lacking in impact. Her performance is undeniably captivating, reminiscent of Taric’s exuberance. However, the song’s direction leaves something to be desired, as it builds toward a drop that fails to deliver the punch necessary to secure its place among the finest Worlds anthems—certainly not on par with the iconic ‘Gods.’ It’s akin to savoring exquisite appetizers only to find the main course underwhelming. Perhaps, as the tournament progresses, the song will resonate more deeply, but my initial impression leans toward indifference.
Visuals That Resonate
In contrast, the accompanying music video offers a wealth of enjoyment. As I reflect on the evolution of the League of Legends esports scene, now well into its second decade, ‘Sacrifice’ artfully revisits some of the most memorable moments in the game’s history. Highlights include Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-hyeok’s clutch Azir ultimate against Park ‘Ruler’ Jae-hyuk in last year’s grand finale, as well as Kang ‘TheShy’ Seung-lok’s Aatrox dunk on G2 Esports from 2018.
The video is peppered with delightful easter eggs, featuring quick glimpses of Shunsuke ‘Evi’ Murase’s thumbs up, Hong ‘Pyosik’ Chang-hyeon’s Kindred impersonation, and a cameo from GAM Esports CEO TK Nguyen. It culminates in a poignant tribute to the late Season 1 champion, Maciej ‘Shushei’ Ratuszniak, who is depicted raising the Summoner’s Cup. This moment also addresses the long-standing debate regarding the legitimacy of Season 1’s achievements—yes, it counts, NA friends; now it’s time to secure a victory of your own.
For those rekindling their passion for League of Legends just in time for Worlds, consider consulting our LoL tier list to stay updated on the current meta. If you’re in the mood to indulge in some new cosmetics, our curated list of the best LoL skins awaits your exploration.
What are your thoughts on the new Worlds anthem? How does it rank on your personal tier list? Join the conversation over in our community Discord server. Regardless of individual opinions, the excitement is sure to overshadow any critiques when T1 and IG clash in the upcoming match.
Finally here after a controversial delay, the new League of Legends Worlds song has underwhelmed me
For League of Legends enthusiasts, the annual Worlds event embodies a festive spirit akin to Christmas, Easter, and every other holiday combined. The tournament’s anthem plays a pivotal role, establishing the atmosphere for this premier moment in the esports calendar. Over the past 15 years, various artists have taken on the challenge of crafting this anthem, with varying degrees of success. This year, the spotlight shines on Gloria Tange Sze-wing, known artistically as ‘G.E.M.,’ who aims to leave her indelible mark on Worlds history with her track ‘Sacrifice.’
Anticipation and Delay
The release of this year’s anthem faced delays, as Riot Games made the decision to remove Gabriël ‘Bwipo’ Rau from the video following inappropriate comments made by the FlyQuest toplaner. As anticipation built to a fever pitch, fans finally received the anthem. The question remains: has ‘Sacrifice’ lived up to the expectations? Does it rise above the remarkable tracks that have defined previous tournaments?
A Slow Burn
‘Sacrifice’ unfolds as a slow burner. G.E.M.’s melodious vocals create a continuous swell, leading to a bold crescendo that, while impressive, feels somewhat lacking in impact. Her performance is undeniably captivating, reminiscent of Taric’s exuberance. However, the song’s direction leaves something to be desired, as it builds toward a drop that fails to deliver the punch necessary to secure its place among the finest Worlds anthems—certainly not on par with the iconic ‘Gods.’ It’s akin to savoring exquisite appetizers only to find the main course underwhelming. Perhaps, as the tournament progresses, the song will resonate more deeply, but my initial impression leans toward indifference.
Visuals That Resonate
In contrast, the accompanying music video offers a wealth of enjoyment. As I reflect on the evolution of the League of Legends esports scene, now well into its second decade, ‘Sacrifice’ artfully revisits some of the most memorable moments in the game’s history. Highlights include Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-hyeok’s clutch Azir ultimate against Park ‘Ruler’ Jae-hyuk in last year’s grand finale, as well as Kang ‘TheShy’ Seung-lok’s Aatrox dunk on G2 Esports from 2018.
The video is peppered with delightful easter eggs, featuring quick glimpses of Shunsuke ‘Evi’ Murase’s thumbs up, Hong ‘Pyosik’ Chang-hyeon’s Kindred impersonation, and a cameo from GAM Esports CEO TK Nguyen. It culminates in a poignant tribute to the late Season 1 champion, Maciej ‘Shushei’ Ratuszniak, who is depicted raising the Summoner’s Cup. This moment also addresses the long-standing debate regarding the legitimacy of Season 1’s achievements—yes, it counts, NA friends; now it’s time to secure a victory of your own.
For those rekindling their passion for League of Legends just in time for Worlds, consider consulting our LoL tier list to stay updated on the current meta. If you’re in the mood to indulge in some new cosmetics, our curated list of the best LoL skins awaits your exploration.
What are your thoughts on the new Worlds anthem? How does it rank on your personal tier list? Join the conversation over in our community Discord server. Regardless of individual opinions, the excitement is sure to overshadow any critiques when T1 and IG clash in the upcoming match.