Jason Isbell trades the plodding drums and rhythm of Metallica’s “Sad But True” for nasty slide guitar played at breakneck speed. Isbell’s version of the song will appear on the heavy metal pioneers’ upcoming 30th anniversary edition of 1991’sBlack Album.
Backed by his group the 400 Unit, Isbell careens through the song like a train off its tracks. He and guitarist Sadler Vaden spar with dueling slide licks, transforming “Sad But True” into some kind of blues-rock monster. Isbell throws himself into the vocals with abandon, singing in a high tenor that’s in contrast to James Hetfield’s original low rumble.
Isbell and the 400 Unit’s “Sad But True” arrives with two other versions of the song: St. Vincent and English singer Sam Fender reimagine the track for the up coming The Metallica Blacklist tribute album. Featuring 53 different covers of Black Album songs, the LP will benefit charities chosen by the guest artists. Chris Stapleton, Jon Pardi, and Mickey Guyton are among the other country artists contributing Black Album covers. Miley Cyrus’s version of “Nothing Else Matters” was released last week. The 30th anniversary edition of the Black Album will be released September 10th.