Trivium’s Matt Heafy Puts Unique In Flames / Johnny Cash Spin on Blink-182’s ‘Dammit’
No, this isn't another one of those wild, juxtaposed song mash-ups that works in surprising harmony. Trivium's Matt Heafy has been pumping out acoustic covers all year and this rendition of Blink-182's "Dammit" played in the style of, yes, In Flames and Johnny Cash is in contention for the best he's done thus far.
On paper, there's no way this combination of pop punk, melodic death metal and country could possibly work. That's why it's a good thing to flesh out these ideas, rather than abandon them at the planning stages because this cover is incredible. Guitar harmonies add a newfound, jovial attitude to the song, but the dreary Johnny Cash-like singing positions the opposite effect, bringing a wondrous duality to Blink's Dude Ranch hit.
Prefacing the track, Heafy wrote, "If you're familiar with my musical path, you know that before Trivium, I tried out for a pop punk band with the song 'Dammit' by Blink-182 and never made it in the band. Defeated, I was about to give up on music, until I stumbled upon 'The Black Album' by Metallica. You know the rest."
He continued, "I've always loved Blink and I wanted to cover 'Dammit,' but I knew it had to be different. I thought in my head, 'How would In Flames Jester Race / Whoracle / Colony-era do 'Dammit?' Musically, this is that result. Vocally, I wanted to stick with that Johnny Cash covers album sorta range, but add in the fun harmonies that I love to do. The result is something I'm definitely proud of."
Previously, Heafy has dished out a staggering variety of acoustic covers, including Cher's "If I Could Turn Back Time" and Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" and, more traditionally, Opeth's "Harvest," among others.
Blink-182 Albums Ranked
Loudwire Podcast #10 - Trivium's Matt Heafy