Best Metal Cover Songs

The best classic heavy/thrash metal songs covered by modern metal bands.
The Top Ten
1 Painkiller - Death

Not all that modern, but that doesn't make it any less awesome! Chuck's voice sounds mind-blowing. The highs are much very close to if not better than Rob Halford. No disrespect to the Metal God, but the Father of Death Metal really nailed this song

The drum intro is much more aggresive and energetic than the original, and Chuck is the only one who could properly pay tribute to Rob Halford like he did.

Even nails on a chalkboard is better than the Holy Diver cover really.

I like Death but this cover is trash!

2 Holy Diver - Killswitch Engage

Sorry but this is one of the worst covers EVER. Starts off OK, then the crappy chug-chug guitars come in... and then the screams... and before you know it its single-handedly destroyed everything that made the original great. Absolutely abysmal. These crap talentless metalcore bands should never cover anything because they ruin everything they come 10 feet near.

Yeah, this cover really is trash. Killswitch Engage is amazing, but Howard's voice just isn't meant for this type of song.

This is the best metal cover ever! A must listen if you haven't heard it yet!

3 Master of Puppets - Trivium
4 Circle of the Tyrants - Opeth
5 Dream On - Ronnie James Dio & Yngwie Malmsteen
6 Am I Evil? - Metallica

Because it's metallica

7 Aces High - Children of Bodom
8 Would? - Opeth
9 Raining Blood - Vader

I am not afraid to admit I like the cover more than the original :P.

To be fair, a song like "Raining Blood" fits to be covered in a Death Metal version. Its lyrics, theme and tone relates and the song itself is a pivotal piece for Extreme Metal. I'd say Vader did them justice.

10 Angel of Death - Carnifex

Awesome cover Carnifex is definitely the best Deathcore band

The Contenders
11 No Quarter - Tool

No contest here, gentlemen.

12 Stone Cold Crazy - Metallica
13 Hallowed Be Thy Name - Machine Head

I honestly think this version destroys the Cradle of Filth one. I feel that CoF gave this song too much unnecessary aggression.

Agreed, I'd go with Machine Head and not with Cradle of Filth, too, because growls are done tastefully here by R. Flynn (not overdone).

14 Beyond the Realms of Death - Blind Guardian

Basically this song is not for Hansi's voice (baritone) … but he nailed it!
This song is very difficult and emotional, and Hansi gave it the necessary intensity. He didn't try to imitate Halford - he played on his own strengths: harsher and more dramatic voice, noticeable on the chorus. I'm also pretty happy with the solos, drums and bass.

As a Judas Priest fan I really appreciate great covers like this one because there are not more than 5 Judas Priest covers of this quality. In terms of vocals, the most difficult covers (I'm aware of) are this one and Painkiller - nailed by Death.

The chorus alone should place this cover in the top 3 - Hansi Kürsch sang his head off as well as his soul!
This iconic Judas Priest song is v-e-r-y difficult and emotional. Hansi didn't try to imitate Halford - he played on his own strengths: dark, harsh and more dramatic voice, noticeable on the chorus.
This cover is obviously a tribute because the song is not for Hansi's voice (baritone) … but he nailed it!
I'm also pretty happy with the solo(s).

Again, I love this band but this cover was terrible. Hansi's voice just doesn't fit the song at all.

15 Walk - Avenged Sevenfold

Lame Pantera cover, Go listen to the cover of Strength Beyond Strength by Sylosis much better cover

16 Flash of the Blade - Avenged Sevenfold

This cover sucks

17 Electric Eye - As I Lay Dying
18 Don't Talk to Strangers - Blind Guardian
19 War Pigs - Faith No More
20 Symphony of Destruction - Paul Di'ano & Jeriko
21 Whip It - Love and Death
22 Rumor Has It - Mushroomhead
23 Whiskey in the Jar - Metallica

Are you kidding me!? 27! This has to be one of the most iconic metal cover songs ever.

24 Creeping Death - Bullet for My Valentine
25 Silent Scream - Children of Bodom
8Load More
PSearch List