Bad Brains

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This is a list of 8 killer covers of metal and punk songs. Is there something I missed? Be sure to leave a comment below. \m/

Hell Awaits – Cradle Of Filth

The list starts with the greatest band of all time, Fuckin Slayer! As you probably already know, there is no shortage of songs to choose from when it comes to bands covering a Slayer song. Through their interpretation of the song “Hell Awaits”, Cradle Of Filth manages to deliver a truly evil song, with orchestral and black metal aspects. Dani Filth was born to cover this song! This track can be found on the Cradle Of Filth album titled “Dusk…and Her Embrace.”

Wasted Years – DevilDriver

Originally released in 1986 on their “Somewhere In Time” album, Wasted Years is a staple and fan favorite during any Iron Maiden concert. The last time I saw Maiden live, Bruce opens up this song by saying it was released so many years ago, but the meaning rings truer now than ever before. 23 years later, DevilDriver does a cover of Wasted Years on their album titled “Pray for Villains.” This is a classic metal song that gives me a feeling of reminiscence every time I hear it.

Inherit The Earth – Burn the Priest

Inherit The Earth is a song by crossover/thrash/hardcore/punk legends, The Accused; Pioneers of the Splatterrock movement. In 2018, Burn The Priest released a cover album to commemorate 20 years of Lamb of God, titled “Legion:XX” This is an album that pays homage to their earlier influences. Inherit The Earth was originally released on the “Martha Splatterhead’s Maddest Stories Ever Told” album

The Messengers – Skinlab

Originally on the “Quickness” album, Slinlab’s take on this song is on the “Never Give In: A Tribute to Bad Brains” album. An essential listen for both the Bad Brains and Skinlab fans alike. This is what it sounds like when punk rock turns hardcore.

Institutionalized – Body Count

Institutionalized is a song originally recorded by Suicidal Tendencies, on their debut, self titled album. Body Count does a cover of it called Institutionalized 2014 on their “Manslaughter” album. Ill say it. I don’t think Body Count get the metal recognition they deserve. There is definitely an aspect of humor in this song, but it’s so pissed off and aggressive at the same time. “Do you realize how much blood is in the human body? Do you wanna to see it, mutherfucker!?”

Ddamm – Slayer

Ddamm (Drunk Drivers Against Mad Mothers) is a song performed by Slayer on their Undisputed Attitude album. It also happens to be a song that Jeff Hanneman wrote for his side project punk influenced band Pap Smear. It was on the “Fear and Loathing” demo in 1986. Slayer are the true metal gods, but this proves that they can be punk heavyweights too.

Orgasmatron – Sepultura

This is one of my favorite Motorhead songs and it also has to be one of my favorite Supultura songs, period. I always think this would be the perfect song to play when marching troops into battle during Armageddon.

Frayed Ends of Sanity – Six Feet Under

This is one I just happened to stumble across while searching for ideas. This is on the Graveyard Classics III album. It’s a killer song and it’s metal as fuck! \m/ A perfect mix of barking and singing; There’s even a signature Chris Barnes pig squeal at the end. They do Metallica justice on this one.

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I felt this would be a fitting first blog for me to post. I know that it’s easy to become complacent and set in your ways the older you get. I’m 45 years old, so I’m starting to figure that out in a hurry.

I can always remember music associated with my life. Some of my earliest memories was playing records I had. Disco Mickey Mouse, the soundtrack to Grease and Scooby Doo are the titles that come to mind now. When my family first got cable, I remember staying up all night in the tv room with my sister, watching MTV when it was the big new thing. I also liked making mixed tapes. I would sit next to the radio and wait for that perfect moment to push record.

I was probably in my early teens when I first recall hearing a particular rock song on the radio. For whatever reason, it clicked with me. It was Tom Sawyer by Rush. I would search for it on the radio, and that’s probably when I switched from pop to rock radio. That’s about the time I started listening to the hair metal bands of the time like Whitesnake, Motley Crue and GnR. My musical tastes would eventually grow heavier over the years. I probably first got into metal with Metallica and Anthrax. It took a little longer with Slayer, but when I first saw them on the South of Heaven tour back in ’88, it was on from there.

I was around 19 or 20 when I experienced a life changing event. My friend Peach introduced me to Pantera – Vulgar Display of Power. It was the finger of god pointing down from the heavens. That album was definitely a game changer. The first song Mouth of War played. My eyes got really big. I looked at my friend in amazement. She looked back at me and said “I know”. The next song came on and I’m like, alright, this is good. The next song played and my eyes got even bigger. Now we’re at Fucking Hostile. That’s when it blew my mind. I was hooked.

Around the same time, grunge started to become the next big thing, even though us locals hated that word. Having grown up in the Seattle area (Tacoma), it was a huge influence on my early 20’s. This is the time my wings started to sprout, and I moved away from the parental nest. I was working at Tower Records at the time. I was surrounded by music, and I had friends that shared the same passion for music that I have. My musical tastes were becoming much more diverse during that time.

I like the crossover music, with bands like The Accused and D.R.I., where thrash and punk unite beautifully. I’ve always appreciated classic rock legends such as Jimi, Beatles, Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. These musicians form the foundation for rock and metal we listen to today. Bands such as the Misfits and Bad Brains provide that punk edge and a different attitude that I find appealing. I’m also a big fan of 90’s rap and hip-hop. Ice Cube, Ice T, Cypress Hill, Tupac. These artists provide the stories and beats that I find fascinating. It was always fun discovering new music. Whether it’s hearing Iggy Pop on the Trainspotting soundtrack or driving around listening to the Stones. I would hear something I like and seek out similar artists to listen to in that genre.

Fast forward a bunch of years. I still go to concerts and I still love music, but I find myself becoming more set in my ways. I still venture out on a new artist once in a while, but it’s easier for me to listen to the wealth of music I’ve accumulated through the years. It seems like everything new is recycled garbage of the past. Most of the music today I find to be boring and unoriginal. I keep getting older, but I’m not getting that kick in the ass from music that I have in the past.

So much for all the build-up. I now go back to the original question, “Why should I give a shit about listening to new music?” It’s a simple answer; The joy I get for listening to something good for the first time. When I connect with that certain beat, riff, or vocal, my eyes widen and my ears perk up. It’s like a Dorito, I need more. Granted, I’ll probably never have another Pantera moment. Youth may be the perfect storm for my positive music connections until now, but it’s still possible to have that one moment that keeps the flame alive. Whether it’s hearing an old band for the first time like Terrorizer, a classic like AC/DC – Powerage, that I just bought on vinyl, or a newer, torch carrier like Power Trip, it’s still possible to experience joy from listening to something new.