If this is your first time hearing of Rodrigo Y Gabriela, let me say “welcome.” The pair have been working together for years, releasing a slew of acoustic metal albums. Both hailing from Mexico City, they first met in Ireland 8 years ago and have been playing together ever since. After being in a band together, the duo split off and formed Rodrigo Y Gabriela. Under that name, they have released five studio albums, three live albums and one EP. They were also part of both the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides soundtrack and the soundtrack for Puss in Boots in 2011.
Now the duo have unveiled a new version of Metallica’s “Battery” which will appear on their upcoming “Mettal” EP, due from on Black Friday, November 29. It is set to be released as a one-sided 12-inch vinyl Record Store Day First release, limited to 2,500 and available only at independent record stores. Side 2 will have an art etching.
A press release says:
This companion EP to Rodrigo Y Gabriela’s latest full-length, “Mettalvolution”, sees Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero paying tribute to the icons of thrash metal with three previously unreleased covers, shedding light on some of their favorite foundational songs. Along with “Battery”, the “Mettal” EP includes stunning new versions of MEGADETH’s “Holy Wars” and SLAYER’s epic “Seasons In The Abyss”. All three tracks were produced and recorded by Sanchez in Oslo, Norway and finished at the duo’s own Lumbini Studio in Ixtapa, Zihuatenejo, Mexico. “Mettal” was mixed by Jim Monti (SLIPKNOT, METALLICA, KORN) and then mastered by Grammy Award winner Ted Jensen (BRING ME THE HORIZON, DISTURBED, HALESTORM) at Sterling Sound in Nashville.
In speaking on the upcoming release, Rodrigo said: “It’s no secret that we love Metallica. ‘Master Of Puppets’ changed everything for us when we first heard it all those years ago.”
Gabriela added: “We’ve played parts of ‘Battery’ in our live set for many years. We’re so happy to release our studio version in full for our fans. Thank you to the fans for coming with us on this trip, and eternal gratitude to Metallica for the incredible music.”
