Dan Vasc’s “Amazing Grace”: A Timeless Hymn Reimagined in Epic Metal Form
If Disturbed’s haunting interpretation of “The Sound of Silence” struck a chord with you, there’s a strong chance Dan Vasc’s version of “Amazing Grace” will do the same. Although “Amazing Grace” predates it by nearly two centuries—completed in 1779—both share a solemn, hymn-like resonance that captures the soul. Each has secured its place as a foundational piece in the folk music tradition, blending timeless melodies with deep emotional weight.
Between 1970 and 1972, Judy Collins’ folk/gospel rendition of “Amazing Grace” became a chart presence and, decades later, was preserved in the National Recording Registry in 2017. Similarly, Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” earned that honor in 2013. Fast forward to today, and Dan Vasc’s take on “Amazing Grace” has amassed an impressive 3.25 million YouTube views in just over a month—evidence of its modern-day resonance.
Disturbed’s performance of “The Sound of Silence” and Vasc’s delivery of “Amazing Grace” share more than just thematic gravity. Both are anchored by rich, commanding rock vocals and swell into an orchestral, power-rock crescendo. In a reaction video, Sebs Duran likened Vasc’s version to his first time hearing Disturbed’s cover—describing the progression from deep baritone to soaring tenor, with the raw grit of a rock growl. Despite employing a familiar formula, the execution was, in his words, “unbelievable.”
Vasc is no stranger to viral moments. His most-watched YouTube performance is a cover of “Toss a Coin to Your Witcher,” the standout tune from the Netflix series The Witcher. Originally sung by the bard character Jaskier, the song exploded online shortly after its episode aired, sparking countless remixes. Vasc’s rendition alone has crossed the 27-million-view mark.
That breakout moment confirmed his ability to channel metal intensity without losing musical precision. For fans eager to hear Vasc backed by a full metal arrangement, it proved he could not only handle it—he could thrive in it. His stage presence and vocal stamina made it clear he wasn’t just a studio performer but a true live powerhouse.
Born Daniel Vasconcelos in 1989 in Brazil, Vasc’s path to music was anything but straightforward. After serving in the army, he pursued a business degree, but two years into college he realized it wasn’t his calling. Turning to music felt less like a choice and more like inevitability. He immersed himself in contemporary and classical vocal training, music theory, composition, and piano, eventually teaching voice himself and joining the metal band Fearless.
Fearless debuted with the EP Ancient Wisdom in 2013, which caught the attention of producer Juan Aneiros. This led to Vasc voicing the character Oliver on The Omens of Death, the second concept album by the legendary actor Christopher Lee. Despite recording a full album with Fearless, the band struggled to secure a label deal.
By October 2017, disillusioned with the music industry’s gatekeepers and mourning the loss of his father to cancer, Vasc pivoted to building his own audience through YouTube. Within two years, his subscriber base had grown enough for him to release Fearless’ album Chronicles of Ancient Wisdom independently, bypassing traditional industry channels altogether.
In 2021, Vasc wrote and recorded “All Hail Friday Night Tights,” a heavy metal tribute to the bombastic cartoon themes of the 1980s, serving as the theme song for the internet show Friday Night Tights. Within just three days, it topped Amazon’s All Styles charts in both the US and the UK—a testament to his growing global reach.
Today, Vasc boasts 18 videos that have each surpassed the million-view mark on YouTube, with 10 of those exceeding 2 million views. This consistency shows that his appeal isn’t a one-off phenomenon but the result of sustained artistry and connection with his audience.
Among the many who’ve praised his “Amazing Grace” is Wayne Swindell, a Scottish bagpiper with a lifetime of experience hearing the tune. His comment two weeks ago summed up the impact: “I am a Scottish Bagpiper and that was ridiculously OUTSTANDING. Most favourite rendition ever. Made me cry.” It’s one of countless testimonies proving that Vasc’s voice reaches far beyond genre boundaries, touching hearts across generations and cultures.
