Members of Byzantine, Bad Wolves, ex-Dream Theater, ex-Machine Head Cover Metallica

Choosing to tackle a Metallica song is the most basic of cover choices for any metalhead. At the same time, it’s also the most satisfying and perfect: it’s fuckin’ Metallica, man, the most essential building block of modern metal. It never doesn’t feel right! Who cares if it’s pedestrian? It works for local bands and megastars alike.

And so: a group of well-known, absolutely not pedestrian metal musicians, led by Byzantine frontman/guitarist Chris “OJ” Ojeda, has taken on “The Shortest Straw” for an at-home quarantine video. OJ is joined by Doc Coyle (Bad Wolves), Chris Kael (Five Finger Death Punch), Mike Portnoy (Winery Dogs, Sons of Apollo, ex-Dream Theater) and Phil Demmel (ex-Machine Head), an excellent lineup for a Metallica cover if ever there was one. I’m loving OJ’s Papa Het voice on this one!

Byzantine will be livestreaming a special performance on July 25 at 9pm EDT / 6pm PDT featuring jams from their first three albums only (The Fundamental Component, …And They Shall Take Up Serpents, and Oblivion Beckons). Grab tickets here.