Screenshot from Minnesota Vikings video on the Icelandic chant they have adopted for home games. (Vikings.com)
The Minnesota Vikings are 4-0, defying expectations after injuries knocked out their two biggest star players. Powered by a suffocating defense and a scrappy attitude, the purple and gold offer genuine hope to beleaguered Minnesota sports fans in 2016. This, even though our skittish kicker is a Chekov pistol waiting to fire, wide and to the left.
This is also the first year the Vikings play in their new U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, the obscenely expensive cathedral to American football built over the bones of the old Metrodome. Fans seem to love the new stadium, which is loud as all get-out.
The aura of excitement around the Vikings this year coincides with a new stadium cheer, the “Viking Chant,” borrowed with permission from the nation of Iceland. People got a taste of the Viking Chant when Iceland went on its improbably run in the European Football championships last summer.
It’s a slow-building chant that ideally includes everyone in the stadium. Everyone stands and claps their hands above their head after a drumbeat. The drumbeats start slow and build to faster cadence. Eventually, everyone in the stadium is hollering a war chant at top volume. I can’t wait for them to do it in London someday.
People have been giving the Vikings notes, however. As USA Today points out, “Iceland shared its bone-chilling chant with the Minnesota Vikings. It needs work.”
Some Minnesotans are still in their seats, confused by the loud noises.
For reference, here’s how they do it in Iceland:
There’s no doubt in my mind that Vikings fans should keep working on this. It’s a powerful, intimidating cheer that directly relates to the team’s mascot and the Minnesota’s Scandinavian heritage. Everybody up! Your nachos will be fine.
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