Metal covers of popular performers are a popular thing, if only for their kitsch value. Sumerian Records may be onto something with its forthcoming release however: Sumerian Ceremonials: Florence + The Sphinx. Just in case you couldn't figure this out on your own, it's a compilation of Florence + The Machine tracks reimagined in metal form (Sumerian's logo is a sphinx...somewhat ironic, we know).
The album will feature covers by Sumerian signees such as Born of Osiris, Darkest Hour and City in The Sea. "Shake It Out," perhaps Florence's most well known track, will be sang by Ben Bruce of Asking Alexandria.
"To me, 'Ceremonials' by Florence + The Machine is one of the most timeless records to come out in years," said Sumerian cofounder Ash Avildsen regarding Florence's 2011 album. "The distinctive vocals and melodies, the orchestration and instrumentation, the production, the mood and the lyrics have made me enamored with the album. It is also one of the heaviest records in years to me... not in the sense of metal and aggressive vocals/guitars/drums, but in how the songs make you feel."
Avildsen is onto something. Florence Welch is one of a select few to possess a truly epic voice. There are plenty of performers with great voices, but few are epic. How to measure? Imagine the vocalist standing on a mountain while singing the hook of their most dramatic song. Is the mountain exploding like a volcano in your imagination while they sing? This is obviously a really rough guide, but this is what happened to us when listening to "Heartlines" by Florence + The Machine or Chris Cornell yowling during "Beyond The Wheel."
The band also tends toward somewhat spooky material for its work. "Only If For A Night" is the narrative of hanging out with the ghost of one's dead former classmate, and "Seven Devils" is kind of obvious, and "Leave My Body" can't be about anything good for you.
We're probably getting our hopes up, but kudos to Sumerian for the idea, and having good taste if nothing else. We'd love to hear Welch try her hand at covering heavy metal tracks. Here's our offer: We'll give her $20 if she tries her hand at Dio with "Rainbow in The Dark" and/or "Heaven and Hell."
