Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit brought their extended stay at Ryman Auditorium to a close on Sunday with the live debut of Metallica‘s “Sad But True”. In total, the eight shows yielded 49 unique songs with the Metallica cover kicking off a two-song encore of the finale.
Isbell and The Unit recorded “Sad But True” for last year’s compilation The Metallica Blacklist. The band was one of seven artists to cover the song on a collection that housed 53 unique interpretations of the 12 tracks found on Metallica’s 1991 self-titled album often referred to as The Black Album. Bassist Jimbo Hart even recorded his part using a bass given to him by former Metallica bassist Jason Newstead, who left Metallica in 2001.
For their take on the track, Isbell and The Unit dial up the country flair of the metal stomper. With Isbell’s slide guitar, the song takes on an added rockabilly flair as musical styles meld behind a common theme of intense emotion. The only major departure from the studio version on Sunday was the lack of Amanda Shires‘ fiddle as Isbell’s wife and bandmate is out on her solo tour.
Watch Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit deliver their live debut of “Sad But True” by Metallica at Ryman Auditorium.
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit – “Sad But True” (Metallica) – 10/23/22
Setlist: Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit | Ryman Auditorium | Nashville, TN | 10/23/22
Set: Super 8, 24 Frames, Outfit, Dreamsicle, Molotov, Honeysuckle Blue (Drivin’ n’ Cryin’), Oh Well (Fleetwood Mac), If We Were Vampires, Children of Children, Hope the High Road, Something to Love, Overseas, Alabama Pines, Elephant, Stockholm, Flying Over Water, Decoration Day
Encore: Sad But True (Metallica), Cover Me Up