How Metallica used cover songs to reclaim their heavy metal soul
In short: After a period of commercial experimentation, Metallica released Garage Inc. in 1998. It wasn't just a collection of covers; it was a deliberate strategic move to balance their recording style, pay homage to their roots, and regain credibility within the metal community.
By 1998, Metallica felt the need to pivot after releasing three consecutive 'serious' studio albums. Drummer Lars Ulrich noted that the band wanted to do something different, and working with covers provided a way to explore their tradition of 'turning' other people's songs into something uniquely Metallica. The project served as a creative counterweight to the 'airlessly manicured' sound of their previous work, allowing the band to discover their 'inner animal' while providing a convenient package for fans to access rare B-sides and bootlegged material.
The album was a curated map of the band's DNA. It featured heavy influences from the 1970s, including Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult, and the new wave of British heavy metal. Specific tracks served as personal milestones: James Hetfield chose Bob Seger's 'Turn the Page' because it captured the 'road experience,' while Kirk Hammett paid tribute to his primary influence, Brian Robertson, by recreating a saxophone part with a bottleneck slide guitar. The inclusion of a Mercyful Fate medley acknowledged the band's close ties during the recording of Master of Puppets.
The release was a significant commercial and critical success. It debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 and was certified 5x platinum by 2000. Critics praised the band for making the covers stand on their own through their distinct style, with some even arguing the project was superior to their contemporary studio albums. Beyond the music, the album had a tangible impact on the original artists; for example, Diamond Head guitarist Brian Tatler noted that royalties from the album significantly changed his life.
To promote the project, the band performed a unique five-show club tour where they played only covers, supported by a Metallica tribute band called Battery. This 'garage' aesthetic was reinforced by the artwork, which depicted the band as greasy mechanics and reinstated their original logo, signaling a return to their foundational identity.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Garage Inc.
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