Search - Iron Horse :: Bluegrass Tribute to Metallica

*plunk, plunk* Mama they try and break me... *plunk, plunk*

Morgan Phillips | Savannah, GA United States | 07/29/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I sampled this album at a music store and laughed my butt off.



"What in the world could have convinced these guys to make this album?" I howled.



"It's so plunky and funny-sounding," I continued.



"It's so funny... it's.... it's..." I muttered. "..it's actually REALLY good."



And it is. Bear in mind, I'm a big fan of Metallica *and* bluegrass, so tinny, plucking banjos appeals to me to begin with. I'd recommend that the average metalhead give this a sample or two before splurging on the whole album- I'm not sure you wouldn't like it. From beginning to end, the album is fun and the musicians (Iron Horse) are very talented. Their vocal harmonies are ridiculously tight- this is what sold me, as I'm a sucker for good harmonies. This is not for everyone, which is why I'm giving it four stars only- I'm not guessing it will appeal to all of you, which is alright. But don't be afraid to at least give it a quick listen. Check out Amazon's listening samples and see if you like it. Odds are if you even think it's just "okay", you'll find yourself addicted in no time. Check out "Hero Of the Day"- wonderfully transcribed- it gives you goosebumps. "Fuel" just makes you laugh out loud- oftentimes for the wrong reasons, unfortunately- but it was a hell of an effort.



You have to take this album for what it's worth, as well. These guys are not trying to replace Metallica- Metallica is unreplaceable, as we all know. These guys are simply taking something really good and giving it their own spin, thereby giving you a chance to enjoy great songs in many different ways and levels.



1- Unforgiven- 4/5

2- Nothing Else Matters- 5/5

3- Enter Sandman- 3/5

4- Hero of the Day- 5/5 (#1 song of the album)

5- Fade to Black- 4/5

6- One- 5/5

7- Ride the Lightning- 4/5

8- Wherever I May Roam- 4/5

9- Fuel- 2/5

10- Four Horsemen- 4/5"

Not for the Metalhead Stuck in the '90s

J. Ohnui | Detroit | 01/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Simply put, I am a veteran metalhead. A big fan of the Bay Area Thrash scene that once existed with the likes of Testament and Exodus, and the British metal sounds of Iron Maiden. As a hardcore-old-Metallica fan, my first reaction to "Fade to Bluegrass" was to chuckle with incredulity. How in the heck did these guys pull this off?!As I listened further though, I grew to appreciate not only the musicianship of Iron Horse, but their sheer accuracy in capturing the Metallica tunes. It's evident that they learned to play the songs in the original metal style, because as a musician myself, I know that it's difficult to play a cover song in a wholly different genre unless one can play the song in its original form. One must learn the rules before one can bend them without breaking them.The intricacies of the guitar leads are captured and adjusted to fit into the bluegrass style and instruments. A Kirk Hammett solo on an acoustic guitar with the traditional James Hetfield chunky-riffs on banjo? Unheard of! Until now, that is. 3- and 4-part vocal harmonies lend a different kind of power to the songs, and they pay tribute to the spirit of songs like "Unforgiven" and "Nothing Else Matters."On the flip side, this will be where my "metal snob" voice comes in. The newer Metallica songs (Black Album and onward) fit beautifully into the bluegrass style. However, the older songs like "Ride the Lightning" and "One" don't fit quite as comfortably into bluegrass. Iron Horse did an admirable job of covering them, but the songwriting itself coming from the early to mid-'80s wasn't exactly counting on the more fluid style of bluegrass.Not to say these songs sounded bad. Rather, it is to say that these songs weren't AS powerful as "Unforgiven" or "Hero of the Day", for example.For the metalheads who absolutely refuse to move past the E5 power chord and the double-bass triplets, this album is not for you. For those with minds more open to other musical styles, give the song clips a listen."

An acquired taste.

Bilbo Baggins | Land of Dwarves and Hobbits | 02/03/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First off, this is NOT a metal album. With that in mind, it helps to at least be able to tolerate bluegrass music. I have an advantage beacause I live in Kentucky, the bluegrass capitol of the world. My family listens to bluegrass all the time so I have come to tolerate it and even enjoy it from time to time. Thus, I was able to appreciate it for what it was; bluegrass music and not bag it for what it wasn't. Buy if you are interested in a different take on Metallica but if you hate bluegrass music then this won't change your mind."