Kamasi Washington - "My Friend of Misery" [Metallica cover]

As previously stated, Metallica are gearing up to release an epic compilation featuring covers of their 1991 classic self-titled record and the latest cover comes from none other than Kamasi Washington.

I'll be the first to admit that a jazz cover of a Metallica song actually does sound like some kind of monster and all around terrible idea. However, when the jazz artist doing the cover is Kamasi Washington, the story changes. Known for his progressive and transcendental takes on modern jazz, Washington typically lives up to the hype and this occasion is no different. This isn't just an ordinary cover, this is a cover that takes on a new identity and, aside from the lyrics, you'd probably never know this is actually a Metallica song. The instrumentation is absolutely bonkers and erupts in a total frenzy and knowing that Washington was joined by Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujilo to perform it live recently in LA has left my mind totally blown. Metal and jazz don't typically have much crossover, but there is something to be said about the talent and musicianship needed to pull off something like this in either genre. Washington takes this version to another stratosphere and continues his odyssey in spiritual-jazz wonder.