10 Bands That Covered Metallica Songs, Ranked

Metallica is among the famous heavy metal bands of the 1980s. Present and past bands love their songs so much that they’ve made their versions of Metallica’s songs. These covers are essential as they are tributes to Metallica’s music from different rock bands worldwide. Many of these bands have given Metallica’s songs their special touch. For example, Motorhead made “Whiplash” sound loud and full of energy, while Apocalyptica used cellos to create a mesmerizing version of “Harvester of Sorrow.” In all of these covers, one thing is common— they all show how Metallica’s music can be loved and played by different kinds of artists from various music styles and countries. 

In this article, we shall take a moment to consider bands that cover Metallica, bands like Dark Tranquillity, Disturbed, Children of Bodom, Bullet For My Valentine, and others. One thing is common to all of them: they brought something special to Metallica’s songs. We are about to start, and you do not want to miss any of the special covers, especially if you are a lover of the best songs Metallica has made. Let’s get started!

Dark Tranquillity – “My Friend of Misery”

The Swedish band – “Dark Tranquillity” did a cover of Metallica’s song – “My Friend of Misery.” This song was so authentic and unique in its own way that it featured on Metallica’s album titled “Black Album.” Based on the song’s interpretation and fans’ comments, the song is described as “slower-paced compared to many other Metallica songs.” The song was primarily written by Metallica’s bassist, Jason Newsted, and stands out for its more subdued and atmospheric sound.

The song’s makeup includes a set of clean guitar arpeggios, a prominent bassline, and a sad overall tone. The use of orchestral instruments in the background also adds to the song’s emotional depth. Dark Tranquillity is a Swedish melodic death metal band formed in 1989 in Gothenburg, Sweden. They are considered one of the pioneering bands of the Gothenburg metal scene, which gave rise to the melodic death metal subgenre. The band celebrated Metallica’s “Black Album” in their signature style, with Their vocalist, Mikael Stanne, playing a pivotal role.  

Motorhead – “Whiplash”

Motorhead was a famous British rock band that became popular in the late 1970s. Motorhead fans loved them for their loud and energetic music, as they were known for the delicate mix of rock and roll, punk rock, and heavy metal in their songs. As part of their illustrious career, Motorhead also paid tribute to Metallica by performing a unique cover of their song ‘Whiplash’ from the album “Kill’ Em All.” This particular album was released in 1983. The first song on the album had studio-recorded versions of ‘Seek & Destroy’ and ‘Phantom Lord’ designed to sound like live performances: this type of studio-like performance is described as “fake live.” “Fake live” means that “they aimed to capture the energy and feel of a live concert despite being created in a studio setting.

Motorhead started in 1975. The band was led by the iconic frontman Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister, who played bass and sang. Notably, Lemmy’s vocals added a special touch to the classic Metallica track – ‘Whiplash.’ The collaboration gained global recognition, leading to The band’s nomination for a Grammy for their powerful cover of ‘Whiplash.’ The main members of Motorhead were Lemmy, “Fast” Eddie Clarke on guitar, and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor on drums. Together, they created some of the band’s best and most important albums, like “Overkill” (1979), “Bomber” (1979), “Ace of Spades” (1980), and “Iron Fist” (1982).

Disturbed – “Fade to Black”

The American band – “Disturbed” emerged in the late 1990s and gained popularity in the early 2000s. The band made a name for themselves with their covers of pop hits from the 70s and 80s. However, they surprised their audience by playing a thrash power ballad during a particular tour because they picked Metallica’s song – “Fade to Black.” While many were shocked at the time, it just served as further proof of how ambitious they were as a band. And the audience loved it!

 “Fade to Black” was released in 1984, and it was on Metallica’s third studio album titled – “Ride the Lightning.” Historically, “Fade to Black” is considered one of the band’s most iconic and emotionally charged tracks. Metallica’s fans interpret the song as one that “explores themes of despair, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts.” This is because the song’s narrator grapples with internal struggles and contemplates self-harm. The song has been a staple of Metallica’s live performances, and it remains a popular selection in Metallica’s concerts. The cover was hailed as accurate and respectful because the fans who loved it described it as a faithful tribute to Metallica. The cover was a melodic one as The lead vocalist, David Draiman, hit the mark with his vocals, and the guitarist, Dan Donegan, nailed the lead guitar parts.

Stary Olsa – “One”

Stary Olsa is a Belarusian medieval folk band. They usually interpret ancient and traditional music in their own style. The band’s name, “Stary Olsa,” can be translated from Belarusian as “Old Olsa. Olsa refers to a river in Belarus. Among the notable works by the band is a cover of “One” by Metallica. One” was released from Metallica’s fourth studio album, “…And Justice for All,” which came out in 1988. “One” is known for its complex structure, powerful lyrics, and iconic guitar solos. The song is often considered one of Metallica’s masterpieces and has become a classic in the heavy metal genre.

Bullet For My Valentine – “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)”

The Bullet For My Valentine rock band has always been an enthusiastic fan of Metallica. The band was formed in 1998, and as a lovely dedication to Metallica, the band sang and interpreted one of Metallica’s songs – ‘Welcome Home (Sanitarium)’ which serves as a tribute to Metallica. Based on fans’ description, “the cover features a mix of heavy, distorted guitar riffs and more melodic, atmospheric sections.” On another level, the song begins with an eerie, clean guitar arpeggio before launching into the main riff.

‘Welcome Home (Sanitarium)’ is often cited as one of the standout tracks on the “Master of Puppets” album. If you listen to the cover today, you will notice Matt Tuck’s (from Bullet For My Valentine) vocal style and how the rest of the band skillfully handled the Metallica elements. By comparison, the cover sounds like it could be an original power ballad on Bullet For My Valentine’s “Fever” album. That shows how well the band integrated their style into the Metallica song. 

Steve’ n’ Seagulls – “Seek and Destroy”

Steve’ n’ Seagulls is a Finnish band. The band gained international recognition through their YouTube channel. They often post videos of their entertainment and humorous performances. While popular on YouTube, They are also popularly known for covering rock and metal songs. Covering “rock and metal songs” is common, but the band does it in a bluegrass and folk-inspired manner. Steve’ n’ Seagulls became famous with their bluegrass version of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck,” which has a ton of views on YouTube. Even though they were initially known for just one great cover, they also did a great job covering Metallica’s “Seek and Destroy.”

Apocalyptica – “Harvester of Sorrow”

Apocalyptica is also a Finnish band, specifically a cello metal band. The band primarily uses cellos to create instrumental covers of various rock and metal songs. Apocalyptica performed ‘Harvester of Sorrow’ by Metallica and has since been considered a significant breakthrough in Metallica cover sets. Die-hard fans talk about the cover’s uniqueness, specifically how they arranged the song and played it exclusively on four cellos. The ‘Harvester of Sorrow’ song features the signature thrash metal sound that Metallica is known for. It displays James Hetfield’s vocals and the guitar playing style of Hetfield and Kirk Hammett.

The song has been in Metallica’s live performances since its release and is often featured in their setlists during concerts. It has also become a fan favorite for its energy and intensity in a live setting. Unlike traditional Metallica songs, the cover version from Apocalyptica does not include drums or vocals and has minimal distortion. However, despite these differences, the songs still maintain their original power. Over the years, Apocalyptica has released numerous albums, including classical and heavy metal. While their early works focused on cover songs, the band gradually incorporated more original compositions into their repertoire.

Children of Bodom “One”

Children of Bodom band also pays tribute to Metallica and their song “One.” However, the band added a signature element to their cover as they slowed down their typical speed metal rhythm to honor the opening part of “One.” Also, the Finnish band incorporates their tuning, making a final unique touch to the song. “One” was released on Metallica’s fourth studio album – “…And Justice for All,” The song was initially released in 1988 with Metallica’s fans enjoying the song’s natural blend from melodic to thrash metal riffs. The lyrics of “One” are based on the novel “Johnny Got His Gun” by Dalton Trumbo: it tells the story of a soldier who becomes severely wounded and loses some body parts.

The music video for “One” pictured the song perfectly because of its use of footage from the 1971 film adaptation of “Johnny Got His Gun.” Children of Bodom was formed by guitarist and vocalist Alexi Laiho and drummer Jaska Raatikainen in 1993. The original lineup included guitarist Alexander Kuoppala, keyboardist Janne Wirman, and bassist Henkka T. Blacksmith.

Machine Head – “Battery”

This band covered the Metallica song, “Battery”. “Battery” appears as the opening track on their third studio album, “Master of Puppets.” It was released in 1986. The song initially featured intense guitar riffs, rapid drumming, and James Hetfield’s powerful vocals. Machine Head is an American heavy metal band formed in 1991 in Oakland, California. The band has undergone various lineup changes but has consistently been led by vocalist/guitarist Robb Flynn. Machine Head’s album “The Blackening” is considered a metal record for the 2000s decade, setting high standards for the band’s subsequent releases. Machine Head included a cover of Metallica’s song ‘Battery’ In the album’s Deluxe edition.

The world wasn’t prepared for Machine Head’s interpretation of Metallica in the “Blackening era” as the release of the cover was met with great shock . Based on the record, Machine Head has released a series of well-received albums, including “The More Things Change…” (1997), “The Burning Red” (1999), “Through the Ashes of Empires” (2003), “Unto the Locust” (2011), “Bloodstone & Diamonds” (2004), and “Catharsis” (2008).

Postmodern Jukebox (PMJ) – “Nothing Else Matters”

Postmodern Jukebox (PMJ) also performed a cover of “Nothing Else Matters.” “Nothing Else Matters” was written by Metallica’s James Hetfield. Fans believe the lyrics show the importance of holding onto what truly matters. PMJ is known for unique covers, but what really makes this cover special is the guest vocalist – Caroline Baran. Caroline Baran did a fantastic job, and PMJ fans believe that her role made the cover a success. Postmodern Jukebox has covered many popular songs, including hits by artists such as Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Beyoncé, etc.