Talk about a rockstar moment that’s got the music world buzzing! Australian musician John Butler just dropped a breathtaking bluesy cover of Metallica’s iconic ‘Enter Sandman’ that’ll give you chills. This incredible musical exchange started when Metallica surprised Butler by covering his song ‘Zebra’ during their Perth concert, and Butler returned the favor in the most soulful way possible.
Butler shared his stunning interpretation on Instagram with the perfect caption: ‘Enter Sandman, but make it John Butlery.’ And oh boy, did he deliver! Playing on a custom Indian slide guitar, he transformed Metallica’s metal anthem into a haunting, blues-infused masterpiece that showcases his incredible musicianship. You’ve got to hear this reimagined version of the classic track that proves great music transcends genres.
The whole beautiful exchange went down after Metallica paid tribute to Butler during their signature ‘doodle’ segment while touring Australia. Butler woke up in London to a flood of texts about the tribute and immediately knew he had to return the love. This is exactly the kind of cross-genre appreciation that makes the music community so special – when legends recognize legends!
Enter Sandman, but make it John Butlery
Here in Memphis, where blues runs through our veins, we totally get this kind of musical cross-pollination. From Elvis blending rock and blues to modern artists mixing genres, this city understands that great music knows no boundaries. Butler’s slide guitar work on this cover would fit right in on Beale Street, proving that whether it’s metal, blues, or rock – authentic emotion always shines through.
This mutual respect moment between Butler and Metallica is exactly what we love to see in the music industry. It’s not every day you see metal gods and acoustic soul masters trading covers, but when it happens, magic is made. Both artists stepped outside their comfort zones to honor each other’s work, and the result is pure musical gold that’s got everyone talking.
Now THAT’S how you show love in the music world! 🤘