Latvian heavy metal band Iron Wings has released a new cover of the Nine Inch Nails song, “Hurt,” as a stand-alone single.
The song balances itself between the NIN original and the probably better known Johnny Cash cover version. Starting slow, like both versions, this take starting slower and atmospheric before transforming into something more in keeping with Iron Wings’ sound at the end of the first verse. They also decided to use the Cash version of the lyrics (Johnny going for an “crown of thorns,” instead of Trent Reznor’s “crown of shit”). This version also amps up the tempo as the song moves along.
The band also released a lyric video, which relies mostly on still photographs and some video of the band working in the studio as well as performing live.
In releasing the song, the band said, “The song was originally written by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. One of the most famous covers of the song “Hurt” is performed by musician Johnny Cash. We, the band Iron Wings, want to present this song as a reminder that each of us has gone through or is going through our own struggles and this song will mean something different to each of us.”
