Is 2025 the year of metal gone country?
We recently witnessed the incredible collaboration of Cody Jinks performing a duet with the guitarist from Lamb Of God, Mark Morton. The emotional duet titled “Brother,” is set to appear on Morton’s forthcoming solo project which will have more of a southern rock style to it. Morton noted that he chose to work with Jinks because he felt that his outlaw sound is just as much punk rock as he is country… the perfect crossover.
Of course, Jinks got his start in metal and still plays rock music with his band, Caned By Nod, but he also has continued to lean into the rock ‘n roll side of his sound as last week he released a cover of AD/DC’s “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll).” No doubt about it, Cody is leading voice in the country meets metal world.
Enter Sierra Ferrell, one of the most talented artists in all of country music.
I stumbled across a video of Sierra Ferrell laying down an impromptu cover of Disturbed’s “Down With The Sickness,” and if you’re thinking, “What can’t this woman sing,” you’re in the same boat as me. And if you’re thinking, “What am I about to listen to,” give it a chance before casting judgment.
Last year, Ferrell shot a series of videos for Mirror Mirror Network, showcasing a few covers like Sam Cooke’s “Cupid” and Wanda Jackson’s “Funnel Of Love.” As more clips from this studio session came out, the network shared some behind-the-scenes jam sessions, including the Disturbed classic. Released in 2000 from their debut studio album The Sickness, the song went on to become an absolute staple in the band’s repertoire, and helped to launch their very successful career. Famous for that guttural “ooh-wah-ah-ah-ah” line from lead singer Dave Draiman, it’s one of the most popular metal songs of the past 25 years.
Given Ferrell once said she’d love to make a surf rock record, having her branch out into metal was not exactly on my bingo card for the year.
@whiskeyriff #whiskeyriff #countrymusic #sierraferrell #rebelsandrenegades2023 ♬ original sound – Whiskey Riff
But once again, Ferrell proves that she’s an out-of-this-world talent and shockingly makes the cover fit her Appalachian country twang flawlessly.
Nailing the iconic opening line, Ferrell just lets it rip, channeling her inner rock star while still keeping a portion of her famed sound. It’s clearly a much different version of the song compared to the original, but you can tell they’re having fun with it.
“Get up, come on get down with the sicknessOpen up your hate, and let it flow into meGet up, come on get down with the sicknessYou mother get up come on get down with the sickness…”
After hearing this rough-cut cover, I’d love to see what Ferrell could do with the whole song.
What can’t this woman sing?
I was not the only one left speechless by this take. Many commenters were also pleasantly surprised by her cover. Check out a few of the comments left on the post.
“That was pretty cool!”
“More Sierra Ferrell metal covers, please!”
“She sounds like Donna Jean Godchaux in the 70s with that scream, lol.”
“Pretty much there is nothing that Sierra can’t do.”
“Grammy lady!”
And as always, here’s the original:
