In a clash of the metal titans, YouTuber and musician Pete Cottrell has bravely dared to ask the question: what if Metallica sounded like Slipknot?
Even those unversed in hardcore lore are probably at least semi-aware that Metallica and Slipknot are two of the biggest metal bands of all time. From that point, it doesn't take a ton of listening to discern that they also have two very different sounds.
"Metallica is more old-school," Cottrell explained in his latest video, "with [influences including] everything from '80s thrash to massive rock ballads." Conversely, "Slipknot is more modern and frantic and brutal," he continued.
So what exactly does it take to Slipknot-ify a Metallica song?
Well first, you need to choose wisely; "Enter Sandman." Namely for that iconic riff, but it doesn't hurt that Corey Taylor says it's the "Stairway to Heaven" of his generation. Then, tune it down — from E minor down to B — and speed it up from 120 BPM to 190. Add in that signature Joey Jordison beat and decide to go brutal in the chorus because of its melodic simplicity.
And, of course, build some tension in the intro (it's about nightmares, after all), starting with a variation of the clean guitar riff and adding lots of percussion and noisy samples for drive. Complete the masterpiece by playing the guitar solo as chaotically as possible while remaining within the realm of recognizability.
Listen for yourself below, where the Slipknot-inspired rendition of "Enter Sandman" begins around the three-minute mark.
Slipknot just announced the 2022 Knotfest Roadshow in support of the new album that Taylor has confirmed for this year. The Slipknot bandleader also contributed to The Metallica Blacklist. Meanwhile, Metallica have been using COVID-sniffing dogs on tour and Lars Ulrich has found himself in the shitter.
Even those unversed in hardcore lore are probably at least semi-aware that Metallica and Slipknot are two of the biggest metal bands of all time. From that point, it doesn't take a ton of listening to discern that they also have two very different sounds.
"Metallica is more old-school," Cottrell explained in his latest video, "with [influences including] everything from '80s thrash to massive rock ballads." Conversely, "Slipknot is more modern and frantic and brutal," he continued.
So what exactly does it take to Slipknot-ify a Metallica song?
Well first, you need to choose wisely; "Enter Sandman." Namely for that iconic riff, but it doesn't hurt that Corey Taylor says it's the "Stairway to Heaven" of his generation. Then, tune it down — from E minor down to B — and speed it up from 120 BPM to 190. Add in that signature Joey Jordison beat and decide to go brutal in the chorus because of its melodic simplicity.
And, of course, build some tension in the intro (it's about nightmares, after all), starting with a variation of the clean guitar riff and adding lots of percussion and noisy samples for drive. Complete the masterpiece by playing the guitar solo as chaotically as possible while remaining within the realm of recognizability.
Listen for yourself below, where the Slipknot-inspired rendition of "Enter Sandman" begins around the three-minute mark.
Slipknot just announced the 2022 Knotfest Roadshow in support of the new album that Taylor has confirmed for this year. The Slipknot bandleader also contributed to The Metallica Blacklist. Meanwhile, Metallica have been using COVID-sniffing dogs on tour and Lars Ulrich has found himself in the shitter.
