Week Three (A)

Exploring Cover Songs


As a genre, heavy metal tends to stay underground. Some heavy metal bands do make it big, but the genre is usually less popular than a lot of others with modern Americans. Every so often, though, a heavy metal song slips through and becomes so well-known that it's almost easier to find someone who has heard it than someone who hasn't. "Walk", by Pantera, is one of those songs.





While Phil Anselmo uses a relatively high vocal pitch most of the time, it still feels very close to the low-pitched guitar chords because of the raspy growl he sings in. Overall, the song is very low pitched, from the guitars to even the tuning of the drums, giving the perfect emotional intensity for the song.

The song's lyrics are mostly received consciously. Most of the lines are straightforward and can be understood directly. Some of the lyrics might be understood only subconsciously, though. I would say the subconscious message is mostly just enforcing the conscious message, which would be that people piss Phil Anselmo off. Seriously, though, I think the subconscious message would be that we're better off being independent than we are trusting people because of mankind's problems with jealousy, greed and all those other beautiful things.

A large amount of tension can be felt by the listener throughout the song. Mostly buildup, the tension increases during the verses and is released during the choruses and guitar solo. This tension is created by the slow, adamant guitar riff and steady drums, along with Anselmo's unrelenting vocals.




Possibly the perfect band to cover a Pantera song, Avenged Sevenfold recorded (and play live) a flawless cover of this song. For the cover, Avenged Sevenfold didn't change the song much from the original version, which I think was the best decision. Don't mess with perfection, right?

The intensity of the cover is just as loud as the original, combing relentless guitar tone with guttural vocals and simple but powerful drum parts. For both the original song and the cover, the intensity is undeniably, well, intense.

This intensity comes from not only the instrument and vocal tones, but from the lyrics. Avenged Sevenfold also kept the original lyrics intact, so the two songs are the same in that way as well. The entire song's lyrics can be summed up by some of the last in the song, "Are you talking to me? No way, punk."

Avenged Sevenfold also keeps the rhythm exact to the original song, which is responsible for much of the song's character and feeling. The rhythm is driven more by the guitar than the drums, but the drums are still vital to the groove of the song, which I would describe as slow and unstoppable.

Now, I can compare them forever, but which is the overall better song? In my opinion, as perfect as Avenged Sevenfold's cover is, no one can beat Pantera's original version. Avenged Sevenfold nailed the intensity, and everything else, of Pantera's version, but as with most classics, the original will always remain the best.