The Best Heavy Metal Renditions of Classical Music

Looking for something a little different? Check out these awesome heavy metal renditions of classical music. From Bach to Beethoven, these tracks will definitely get your head banging.

Introduction

Classical music and heavy metal might not seem like they would go together, but there are actually a surprisingly large number of metal songs that are inspired by or feature classical music. From Metallica’s “One” to Megadeth’s “Symphony of Destruction,” these songs show that classical music can be heavy, dark, and even a little bit aggressive.

If you’re a fan of both classical music and metal, then you’ll definitely want to check out some of these songs. They might just surprise you with how well the two genres go together.

“Rage Against the Machine” by Zack de la Rocha

Rage Against the Machine, one of the most popular and influential heavy metal bands of all time, released their self-titled debut album in 1992. The album included a cover of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor”, which became one of the band’s signature songs.

De la Rocha’s vocals are angry and aggressive, but he still managed to stay true to the original melody. The guitar work is heavy and distorted, but still contains the same beautiful melody as Bach’s original composition.

The band made headlines in 1994 when they performed the song at the Grammy Awards with acclaimed classical pianist David Helfgott. Helfgott, who was suffering from mental illness at the time, played the piece perfectly, despite being visibly shaky. The performance was a powerful statement about the ability of music to transcend genres and bring people together.

“Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” by Metallica

Metallica’s “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” is a heavy metal rendition of Franz Schubert’s “Der Erlkönig,” which itself is based on a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The poem tells the story of a young boy who is being chased by the eponymous “Erlkönig,” or Elf King, and begs his father to save him. In Metallica’s version, the boy is replaced by a character from the band’s song “One,” who is in a sanitarium and begging to be freed from his nightmare.

“Bittersweet Symphony” by Apocalyptica

From the album “Plays Metallica By Four Cellos”, this song was originally written by The Verve. Apocalyptica’s take on the song is true to the original, but with a heavier metal edge. The cello playing is impeccable, and the overall arrangement is intense and dramatic.

“Requiem” by Avenged Sevenfold

One of the most popular and respected heavy metal bands of all time, Avenged Sevenfold rose to fame with their unique blend of metal and hard rock. Over the years, they’ve maintained their edge by constantly evolving their sound, and on their latest album The Stage, they took things even further by incorporating classical music into their sound.

One of the standout tracks on The Stage is their rendition of Mozart’s “Requiem,” which they described as “a modern take on a classic piece of music.” While some purists might not appreciate the band’s heavy metal makeover of such a timeless classic, there’s no denying that Avenged Sevenfold’s version is incredibly epic and powerful.

“Clair de Lune” by Deftones

Originally written by Claude Debussy, “Clair de Lune” is a haunting and beautiful piece of music that has been covered by many artists over the years. None have done it quite like the Deftones, who give the song a heavy metal makeover that is both faithful to the original and uniquely their own.

TheDeftones released their version of “Clair de Lune” on their album Saturday Night Wrists in 2006. The band was heavily influenced by classical music growing up, and that influence is evident in their rendition of this classic piece.

While the original “Clair de Lune” is a delicate and ethereal song, the Deftones’ version is dark and brooding. The heavy guitars and pounding drums give the song a feeling of unease, while Chino Moreno’s signature vocals provide an emotional intensity that is unmatched by any other cover of this song.

If you are a fan of classical music or heavy metal, or both, then you need to check out the Deftones’ unique take on “Clair de Lune.” It is sure to please fans of both genres.

“The Unforgiven” by Stone Sour

The Unforgiven is a cover of a song by Metallica, and it is one of the best heavy metal renditions of classical music. Stone Sour’s version of the song is heavier and more aggressive than the original, and it features some amazing guitar work by Jim Root. The vocals by Corey Taylor are also top-notch, and the overall feel of the song is just perfect.

“Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica

Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” is one of the most popular and enduring heavy metal songs of all time. The band’s 1991 self-titled album, Metallica (commonly known as The Black Album), sold over 30 million copies worldwide and cemented Metallica as one of the biggest bands in the world. “Nothing Else Matters” was released as the fourth single from the album in 1992, and quickly became a fan-favorite.

The song is a ballad with a classical influence, and features lyrics written by lead singer James Hetfield that reflect on his personal life and relationships. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, but Metallica’s version remains the most well-known.

“Nothing Else Matters” has been described as one of Metallica’s most emotional songs, and is often seen as a representation of the band’s more mellow side. The song has been used in various films and television shows over the years, and was even performed by Hetfield and bassist Robert Trujillo at the 2013 Grammy Awards.

“The Phantom of the Opera” by Iron Maiden

“The Phantom of the Opera” is a song by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It is based on the 1910 novel The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. The song was released as the lead single from their ninth studio album, A Matter of Life and Death, on 3 October 2006. It was also released as a single in Japan on 27 September 2006.

The song charted at number four in the United Kingdom and number 15 in Japan. The single was accompanied by a promotional video, which was directed by Tony Wright and features clips from the 1925 film version of The Phantom of the Opera, interspersed with footage of the band performing in an old theatre.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many great heavy metal renditions of classical music. It is a great way to enjoy both genres of music at the same time. There are many different versions of each song, so be sure to listen to a few before deciding which one you like the best. There is no wrong answer, so choose the one that you enjoy the most. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy these songs as much as I do.