Chosen by Monk
It would be very rarely that a cover version would even make it past the first stage of consideration for our ‘Video Of The Week’ title, nevermind fight its way through to the final shortlist… but, there was just something about the fact that LA alt-rockers Bad Wolves had dared to even think about adding their own twist to one of the Dark Prince of Heavy Metal’s most iconic tunes that made me stop what I was doing and give it a blast…
And, I have to say that if you’re going to do a cover version then is pretty much the approach you should take, adding your own distinctive patina and giving it an impressive (not to say impressionable) reworking: this is no mere gloss of cheap supermarket gloss makeover, this is a complete and total fucking renovation of the sort that would have George Clarke ejaculating in his welly boots…
The centrepiece of the performance, both musically and visually, is singer Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz, who delivers a towering performance, really owning the song with his darker timbre, while the simple, stripped-back presentation of his reflective visit to a seemingly abandoned church in the midst of a swirling snowstorm really accentuates the more melancholic feel which he brings to the song, while still reflecting the hopefulness of the original. The result raises the hairs on the back of your neck in the same way David Draiman achieved when the world first heard his interpretation of ‘The Sound Of Silence’.
Bad Wolves return to the ÜK, with Volbeat and Skindred, in December, with dates as follows:
- Sunday 11 – Manchester, Academy III
- Monday 12 – London, Underworld
- Tuesday 13 – Birmingham, Asylum
- Wednesday 14 – Glasgow, Cathouse
Until next time, keep ‘er lit, keep ‘er between the hedges and keep on rockin’ and rollin’ with your favourite website \m/
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