Metallica have it covered

Metal giants interrupt recording of new album to play acoustic Nazareth and Garbage songs. Metallica took time out from the recording of their new album and astonished fans with some unlikely cover versions at a recent acoustic benefit show in California. Performing at the 21st annual Bridge school Benefit - a cause founded by Neil Young - the band ran through I Just Want To Celebrate, a 1971 hit from obscure US rock band Rare Earth, before paying homage to Please Don't Judas Me, a song from Scot-rockers Nazareth's 1975 album Hair Of The Dog. Only Happy When It Rains, a more contemporary but equally unexpected choice from Shirley Manson and Garbage, was followed by the title cut of Dire Straits' Brothers In Arms. The only other cover in their eight-song performance was Turn The Page by Bob Seger, a song that singer/guitarist James Hetfield and company recorded for their 1998 Garage Inc double-set. Due next spring, Metallica's long-awaited follow-up to 2003's disastrous St Anger is being recorded with celebrated producer Rick Rubin. Drummer Lars Ulrich recently revealed that the album's contents "echo some of our 1980s stuff- long, epic journeys through different musical landscapes; heavier, but a lot more melodic." • In related news, Nazareth celebrate their 40th anniversary with a UK tour in February 2008. Confirmed dates include: Belfast spring & Airbrake February 8, Londonderry Nerve Centre 9, Southampton The Brook 14, Crewe M Club 16, Stourbridge Rock Caf 200017, Aberdeen Lemon Tree 20, Inverness Ironworks 21, Glasgow ABC 22, Newcastle Academy 23, Edinburgh Liquid Rooms 24.