42 years. That’s how lengthy heavy metallic band Metallica has been operating in a music business infamous for its unpredictability. Since its inception in 1981, Metallica has seen greater than its justifiable share of highs and lows. From performing to a reported 1.6 million followers in Russia, to frontman James Hetfield’s wrestle with substance abuse, not many can say they’ve been collectively for nearly half a century. But right here they’re, presently within the midst of their “M72 World Tour,” which extends into 2026. A musical profession stuffed with milestones, Metallica celebrated one explicit achievement by releasing a particular tribute album, that includes an inventory of equally proficient musicians from across the globe.
On September 10, 2021, Metallica launched their star-studded tribute album The Metallica Blacklist, a juggernaut that includes covers of all 12 tracks from their 1991 self-titled album, Metallica (generally known as The Black Album). With 53 musicians on board, every tune is recorded a median of 5–7 occasions, aside from “Nothing Else Issues,” which has 12 covers.
Thought-about certainly one of Metallica’s extra bold tasks, The Metallica Blacklist celebrates completely different musical types, generations, and cultures coming collectively to ship their very own spin on the tracks. Contemplating how Metallica was as soon as gate saved by heavy metallic purists again within the early ‘90s, The Metallica Blacklist breaks the boundaries of style, proving that their music is common with out going astray from the band’s roots. Reacting to the discharge of The Metallica Blacklist, Hetfield expresses his gratitude in the direction of the artists who’ve contributed to the mission.
Whereas the variety of artists themselves comes off as extreme, the aim of the tribute album is to have a good time a “huge vary of genres, generations, continents and extra, every contributing a novel interpretation of their favourite Black Album lower.” The characteristic roster consists of big-name superstars like Miley Cyrus, to indie gems like Mac DeMarco. Simply as Metallica is grateful for his or her options, their chosen artists additionally share the identical sentiment for the legendary band. Songstress Phoebe Bridgers, who lined “Nothing Else Issues,” has “always been a big Metallica fan.” As a youngster, she watched a Metallica set at Outdoors Lands.
One explicit characteristic has a particular reference to Metallica. Weezer, who did a rendition of “Enter Sandman,” is greatest recognized for making nerd rock music with hits like “Buddy Holly” and “Island within the Solar.” However Weezer’s frontman Rivers Cuomo, is a well known Metallica fan — a lot in order that the riff in “Undone (The Sweater Tune)” is an unintentional rip-off of the riff in Metallica’s “Sanitarium.” The irony is that when Cuomo was writing “The Sweater Tune,” he approached it with the mentality of wanting to write down a Velvet Underground tune. Having been a metalhead since highschool, which is the rationale he discovered his instrument within the first place, it’s no shock that his metallic roots would present unconsciously. Thankfully for Cuomo, drummer Lars Ulrich “was cool” about the riff.
Receiving 10 Grammys (out of 26 nominations) is one factor, however nothing beats Metallica receiving their flowers from Sir Elton John. Fittingly, John can also be a part of The Metallica Blacklist mission, masking what he deems “top-of-the-line songs ever written.” Joined by fellow famous person Miley Cyrus, their rendition of “Nothing Else Issues” trades Hetfield’s and Kirk Hammett’s guitars for John’s piano. John even went on to make it publicly clear simply how a lot he loves the tune on The Howard Stern Present, shifting a visibly touched Hetfield nearly to tears.
“It’s a tune that by no means will get previous. And enjoying on this observe, I simply couldn’t wait. The chord construction, the melodies, the time modifications, it’s received drama written throughout it. I’ve to say, it was a no brainer enjoying on this tune. Metallica are most likely the crème de la crème of these sorts of bands. You may’t actually outline them. They’re not a heavy metallic band. They’re a musical band. Their songs aren’t simply heavy metallic. They’re stunning songs. That is such a melodic tune — it’s f***ing nice, really.”
