Ryan Adams is apt to cover just about anything. Performing at the Newport Folk Festival yesterday with the Infamous Stringdusters and Nicki Bluhm, he opted for metal: Slayer’s “South of Heaven” and Black Sabbath’s “The Wizard.” As it turns out, both are surprisingly well-suited to the Stringdusters’ bluegrass-y take.
Adams also improvised a new song, “Frightened and Rabid,” based on a misheard request from the audience. Find audio of all three below (via JamBase and Stereogum), plus a stream of Adams’ entire Newport Folk Festival performance, courtesy of NPR.
“The Wizard” (Black Sabbath cover):
“South of Heaven” (Slayer cover):
“Frightened and Rabid” (improvised):
