Haunting Rock Song, Once Performed in a Volcano, Quietly Became a Global Sensation
"Way Down We Go" by Icelandic rock band Kaleo wasn't a traditional chart-topping hit upon its release in 2015. However, it quietly built a second life as a global streaming phenomenon years down the line.
The haunting track, released by the band in 2015 on their album A/B, mesmerizes listeners with its bluesy rock instrumentation and riffs. Frontman JJ Julius Son's (Jökull Júlíusson) moody and soulful vocal delivery, combined with the song's brooding atmosphere and slow-burning intensity, made it a timeless and go-to choice for TV shows, movies, and commercials.
While it didn't break into the top of the Billboard Hot 100 upon its release, it quickly found traction on alternative and rock radio, forming a loyal audience.
Cementing its legacy further was the repeated use across pop culture, as its cinematic sound made it a staple across TV and film, becoming a soundtrack to many emotionally-charged moments in hit TV shows like Grey's Anatomy, Riverdale, Suits, The Walking Dead and The Vampire Diaries.
Each note and lyric, paired with pivotal scenes and dramatic cliffhangers, introduced the song to new audiences and amplified its impact. Its second wave of success came through streaming and social media, as viewers who heard it on TV sought it out, driving a resurgence and millions of streams.
The single eventually topped Billboard‘s Alternative Songs airplay in 2016, with the blues-rock band becoming the third act of the year to "reign with its first charted song."
A/B, Kaleo's second studio album, and first to chart in the U.S., debuted and peaked at No. 3 and 4 on the Alternative Albums and Top Rock Albums charts, respectively, per Billboard.
What's even more impressive is that the group recorded their smash hit 400 fit underground inside the dormant magma chamber of Iceland's Þríhnúkagígur (Thrihnukagigur) volcano in July 2015.
The band recently offered a deeper look at the recording of the 26-hour project, which required transportation via helicopter, along with audio gear being lowered via a small elevator. The result? An incredible and booming acoustic session that's amassed over 15 million views on YouTube.
"We have had the opportunity to perform in some iconic settings over the past 10 years. Here's a closer look at how we brought Way Down We Go to life… from the mouth of a volcano," the band captioned the video.
Fans were impressed, with one writing, "This song gives me chills man," and another adding, "Way cool. The acoustics must have been amazing."
"So we're just gonna ignore the fact that they recorded this in a goddamn MAGMA CHAMBER just to get a special reverb effect that no one who hears the song in the radio will ever notice? That is what I call going the extra mile!" one commented.
Years later, the tune is just as relevant as ever. Not only did it become one of the band's signature songs, but it was also their breakout global hit, introducing them to a massive international audience. And it remains widely recognized as a breakout alternative rock anthem of the 2010s due to its cultural footprint across TV, film and streaming.
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This story was originally published July 5, 2026 at 5:30 AM.