Imperial Triumphant Just Dropped One of the Wildest Metallica Covers Ever

When it comes to the most influential metal bands to ever hit the stage, there are few more important to the progression of the genre than Metallica. That’s not an opinion, that’s just fact. So when I learned a week or so ago that Imperial Triumphant, an avant-garde trio from New York City, was going to be dropping a cover of a Metallica song as part of their ongoing series of cover singles, it made sense.

Yet having already heard their three previous covers, I should have known their interpretation of a Metallica song wasn’t going to be anywhere near what the original song sounded like. But here we are — one of the weirdest and out there Metallica covers I think I’ve ever heard.

Seriously, hit play on the song down below and tell me you were ready for that “rendition” of “Motorbreath,” off of Metallica’s debut album Kill ‘Em All. I absolutely love how wild this one is. It’s too easy to drop a cookie cutter cover of a classic thrash song, so to turn it into whatever it is Imperial Triumphant are calling this track is just exciting as hell. It’s proof that these folks aren’t afraid to fuck with even the biggest metal band of all time.

Bassist Steve Blanco said it only made sense that the band would touch upon Metallica’s work, given their constant listening to the music while out on tour.

“As a Metal band, only a fool would believe we aren’t influenced by Metallica. Many miles and hours traversing the Northern Hemisphere have we listened to the live & studio Metallica greatness from the 1980s and 1990s, and so have we decided to pay homage with a nostalgic cover from that earliest album recorded in upstate NY. Play it loud because Metal is the law.”

Imperial Triumphant will have two shows near the tail end of November in support of Baroness‘ ongoing tour. Be sure to catch them at one of the two gigs below.

Imperial Triumphant tour dates
w/ Baroness

Nov. 28, 2023 – Boston, MA – Royale
Nov. 29, 2023 – New York, NY – Webster Hall