Elite Tauren Chieftain

L90ETC Darkmoon Island — In concert on Darkmoon Island.

ETC HotS Art — The band's mascot, the Elite Tauren Chieftain, as seen in *Heroes of the Storm*.

Elite Tauren Chieftain (abbreviated for simplicity as ETC; for other and previous names see below) is an American band comprised of employees of Blizzard Entertainment. The band's virtual alter ego, The Tauren Chieftains and the Elite Tauren Chieftain,^[1] appear in World of Warcraft as a band comprised of members of the Horde, and retain the logo used by the Level 70 Elite incarnation of the real-life band. Their gimmick revolves around writing content that is based on mainly subjects related to the Warcraft universe, though they have more recently extended into StarCraft and Diablo lore as well. The band debuted in 2003 with their first song, "Power of the Horde", which was featured in the credits of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne and Warcraft III: Reforged.

History[]

This section contains information that is out-of-date.

Elite Tauren Chieftain originated as a band of Blizzard employees doing cover songs, eventually graduating to performing their own unique songs. During the development of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, the idea came up that the band could do something fun in the game's end credits, specifically a Warcraft-inspired song. Since there was not enough time to write entirely new music, Samwise Didier took one of the band's existing songs—"The Serpent and the Slave"—and altered the lyrics to be Warcraft-themed, thus creating "Power of the Horde". Since people "weren't offended by it enough", Elite Tauren Chieftain eventually kept doing more songs.^[2]^[3]

The band has been known by several monikers since it was established; originally being known as Tenth Level Tauren Chieftain — level 10 being the highest level a tauren chieftain hero could be in Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and its expansion. The name was changed to Level 60 Elite Tauren Chieftain for BlizzCon 2005 — level 60 then being the highest level attainable in World of Warcraft. The band was later dubbed Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain following the release of World of Warcraft's expansion, World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade — as The Burning Crusade raised the game's level cap to 70. They have since been renamed to their current title, Level 80 Elite Tauren Chieftain, to comply with World of Warcraft's second expansion, World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King — which once again has raised the game's level cap to 80. With the coming of the third expansion, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, and the raising of the game's level cap to 85, the band has eschewed traditionals labels to become The Artists Formerly Known as Level 80 Elite Tauren Chieftain. In the distant future of StarCraft II, a TV advertisement viewable in the Hyperion's Cantina shows that they will rename themselves "Level 800 Elite Tauren Chieftain", and will actively tour the galaxy.

On July 16, 2007, the band, then known as Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain, released their second song, "I Am Murloc." On August 4, 2007 at that year's BlizzCon, the band performed two new songs, "Rogues Do it from Behind" and "Terran Up the Night".

On June 29, 2008 at the Worldwide Invitational in Paris, France, Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain performed "Power of the Horde", "Rogues Do it from Behind", "Terran Up the Night" (a new song), "Raise Some Hell" (referring to Blizzard's newly announced development of Diablo III), and "I Am Murloc." After each song, the band "levelled up" twice before ending their set as Level 80 Elite Tauren Chieftain.^[4] The band has yet to release any studio recordings under their current name.

E.T.C. hasn't played since Metallica closed the show for them during the BlizzCon 2014 Closing Ceremony. Samwise Didier has stated that the band definitely wants to play again, but at the time, the Heroes of the Storm team was also the StarCraft team. This meant that the team had to work on two games at the same time before BlizzCon, which "ate into practice time".^[2]

Level 60-70 logo
(2005-2008)
Level 80 logo
(2008-2009)
Level 85 logo
(2009-2011)
Level 800 logo
(2504)

Other names[]

ETC have been known by various names throughout the history of Warcraft.

Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne: Tenth Level Tauren Chieftain
World of Warcraft: Level 60 Elite Tauren Chieftain (L60ETC)
The Burning Crusade: Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain (L70ETC)
Wrath of the Lich King: Level 80 Elite Tauren Chieftain (L80ETC)
At BlizzCon 2009 they named themselves The Artists Formerly Known as Level 80 Elite Tauren Chieftain (TAFKAL80ETC), with an emblem that was a parody of the musician Prince.
At BlizzCon 2011 they went back to Level 90 Elite Tauren Chieftain (L90ETC), because "The Artists Formerly Known as The Artists Formerly Known as Level 80 Elite Tauren Chieftain" wouldn't fit on a t-shirt.
Their name in StarCraft II, Level 800 Elite Tauren Chieftain, parodies World of Warcraft's gradually increasing level cap, implying that the cap will reach 800 in the distant 26th century.
It was decided in 2014 to no longer change the name going forward and just shorten it to Elite Tauren Chieftain.

Current locations[]

In concert[]

Elite Tauren Chieftain in BRD — Performing in Blackrock Depths.

The virtual incarnation of the band, The Tauren Chieftains, perform "Power of the Horde" inside the World's End Tavern in Shattrath City every four hours on the hour, six shows per day. Several minutes prior to their show, Shattrath Saul will announce the band's upcoming performance.
Every night at 8:00 PM server time, The Tauren Chieftains perform a five-minute concert inside Blackrock Depths' Grim Guzzler. Anyone who has [Direbrew's Remote] from the Brewfest event can trigger a performance here at any time by talking to the roadie in charge, Ognip Blastbolt.
The Tauren Chieftains also performs on Darkmoon Island during the Darkmoon Faire.

At rest[]

The Tauren Chieftains can otherwise be found at rest in Silvermoon City's Walk of Elders on a balcony overlooking the walk. Their stage manager and stage tech, Michael Schweitzer and Roitau respectively, both sit below the band. Their purpose in Silvermoon City was initially uncertain, but it has since been learned that the band is placed there as part of the Children's Week quest chain for Horde players, which begins in Shattrath City.^[5] Performing emotes to them, such as cheer, will cause them to respond in turn. The band and their manager remain friendly to Alliance players and will still respond to emotes.

At rest in Silvermoon City.

WoW's 15th Anniversary[]

Caverns of Time - Anniversary 14 — During the anniversary.

The Tauren Chieftains performed during the duration of the [WoW's 15th Anniversary] in the Caverns of Time.

Band members[]

Arthas rocking — Arthas Menethil, performing during the credits of *Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne*. Menethil was replaced by Bergrisst as the band's lead guitarist, with the *World of Warcraft* incarnation of The Tauren Chieftains.

Current[]

Samuro (Samwise Didier) – vocalist (2003–present)
Sig Nicious (Chris Sigaty) – rhythm guitarist (2003–present)
Bergrisst (Dave Berggren) – lead guitarist (2005–present)
Mai'Kyl (Mike Morhaime) – bassist (2003–present)
Chief Thunder-Skins (Alan Dabiri) – drummer (2003–present)

Former[]

Arthas Menethil – lead guitarist (2003)

Membership[]

Crew[]

Michael Schweitzer <Minstrel Manager> – band manager
Roitau – roadie manager
Ognip Blastbolt – roadie
Mizli Crankwheel – roadie
Concert Bruiser – security guards

Fans[]

Discography[]

"Power of the Horde" (2003)
"Leeroy Jenkins (Paladin of the Horde)" (2006)^[6]
"I Am Murloc" (2007)
"Rogues Do it from Behind" (2007)
"Terran Up the Night" (2007)
"Raise Some Hell" (2008)
"Nightfall" (2008)
"We Never Shall Fall" (2014)

Fictitious albums[]

Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, a fictional 2003 album by the band on which "Power of the Horde" appears (in reality, the song appeared on the expansion set of the same name).
Udder Chaos, a fictional 2007 album by the band on which "I am Murloc", and "Rogues do it From Behind" appear.
Terran Up the Night!, a fictional 2504 album by Level 800 Elite Tauren Chieftain, published by Dilling HoloPublishing, Inc. The following tracks are listed as for the album:
- "I Kissed a Zerg!"
- "Bunker Lust"
- "Like a FireBat Out of Hell"
- "I Left my Heart on Mar Sara (Literally)"
- "New Folsom Prison Planet Blues"
- "Rogues do it From Behind"
- "Don't Cry For Me Tarsonis"
- "Terran Up the Night"
- "I am Murloc"
- "Another Hydralisk Bites the Dust"
- "With or Without Nukes"
- "Saturday Night's Alright for Nuking"
- "Power of the Horde"
- "Lucy in the Sky with Mutas"
- "I Can't Drive Warp 5.5!"
- "Every Rose Has Its Thor"

Band-related announcements[]

BlizzCon 2005[]

ETC — The band performing at the Darkmoon Faire in Terokkar Forest.

Level 60 Elite Tauren Chieftain (L60ETC) is undoubtedly best known for their multimillion-selling single, "The Power of the Horde," a track that appeared on their 2003 album "Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne." In addition to the hard-rocking, heart-thumping tunes it contained, that album might best be remembered by music lovers everywhere for the popular little computer game that was included as a bonus feature on the disc.

The band performed at BlizzCon 2005 on October 29, 2005. This performance was recorded and included on the The Burning Crusade Behind-the-Scenes DVD.

BlizzCon 2007[]

Comin' straight outta Outland: Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain invades Southern California once again to perform at BlizzCon. Taking a break from their massive multi-world tour of Azeroth and Outland, Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain is gracing the mortals in Anaheim, California with another evening of power, majesty, and metal! The group's last non-Azerothian performance, the final show of the highly successful Storm, Earth, and Fire World Domination tour, took place at BlizzCon 2005, where they received a hero's welcome and even had the multi-platinum recording artists, The Offspring, close the show for them. Now, having levelled past their previous name -- Level 60 Elite Tauren Chieftain -- the crunching chords and pounding war drums of the newly dubbed Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain will once again be echoing throughout the Anaheim Convention Center's main arena at BlizzCon 2007. Exclusive to BlizzCon attendees, the concert will start at 7:30pm on Saturday, August 4, preceding the other live entertainment that evening. Get there early because seating will be first-come, first-served.

WoW BlueTracker[]

To celebrate the upcoming BlizzCon event on August 3rd and 4th, Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain will be making a guest appearance beginning tonight at midnight at the new Darkmoon Faire location outside of Shattrath city! They’ll be shaking Shattrath to the ground with their performances at the top of every hour for the duration of BlizzCon, and showing everyone the true Power of the Horde!^[7]

In Hearthstone[]

This section contains information exclusive to Hearthstone and is considered non-canon.

Elite Tauren Chieftain appears as a legendary card in Hearthstone. The golden version of the card is no longer obtainable and was given out to those who attended BlizzCon 2013 or bought a Virtual Ticket. When played, the card gives both players one of three possible spells, all sharing a name with a song by the ETC band: "I Am Murloc", "Power of the Horde" and "Rogues Do It...". E.T.C.'s flavor text reads: "He's looking for a drummer. The current candidates are: Novice Engineer, Sen'jin Shieldmasta', and Ragnaros the Firelord."
It reappeared legendary warrior card in the Madness at the Darkmoon Faire expansion for Hearthstone. His flavor text reads: "There are Old Gods and then there are Rock Gods."
It reappeared once again as E.T.C., Band Manager, a legendary card given as a free promotion for the Festival of Legends expansion for Hearthstone. The expansion is set during a music festival organised by E.T.C.. His flavor text reads: "This next band features the one and only M.C. Tech on the drums, the fungal king of the keyboard Loatheb, and the showstopping vocal chops of Spellbreaker!"
It reappeared once again as Elite Tauren Champion, a legendary card part of the Audiopocalypse mini-set for Hearthstone. His flavor text reads: "Strumming his guitar with a molten ember from the first fire of Azeroth, E.T.C.'s ear-splitting, heart-wrenching, head-banging solo held back Magatha and her forces of evil, single-handedly saving music for centuries to come."

Trivia[]

The song "I Am Murloc" is available as a downloadable bonus track for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 ports of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.
Using the cheer emote with one of the band members during The Tauren Chieftains' performances will give you a Pumped Up! buff, increasing all stats by 10% for five minutes.
In The Enemy Revealed, what appears to be a Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain poster can be seen hanging in Anduin Wrynn's personal room in Stormwind Keep.^[8]
E.T.C., the Elite Tauren Chieftain, is a playable character in Heroes of the Storm.
In StarCraft II, the 8th anniversary background model features the UNN talking about L800ETC at New Folsom.

Speculation[]

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

The possibility of quests related to The Tauren Chieftains has been suggested due to comments by the band's manager, Michael Schweitzer, who has alluded to the possibility by saying, "We're not currently hiring for the show or the crew, but you can always check back later. Who knows what will arise?"