“Mary Jane’s Last Dance” was a bit of a weird hit for Tom Petty and the Hearbreakers. Recorded during sessions for Petty’s upcoming solo album but released for the band’s Greatest Hits album, it became one of his biggest ever hits in terms of chart position, reaching the Top 15 on the Hot 100.

American metalcore group Atreyu will soon be releasing their own greatest hits record, The Pronoia Sessions, but for this record they have re-recorded their hits in new arrangements, along with two covers. Last month we talked about their Aduioslave cover and this month it’s their cover of “Mary Jane’s Last Dance.”

The iconic guitar riff that opens the song is completely transformed, slowed down and played on echoey guitar without distortion and another guitar with a spaghetti western feel, backed by a keyboard. For the chorus, they go even further afield, as there are acoustic guitars and a string section. For the post-chorus guitar fill, they replace it with a wordless vocal reminiscent of Imagine Dragons.

The effect is to really emphasize the ballad nature of the song over the rock part. It’s a cover that really feels 21st century rock band, even if lacks the usual rock elements. It’s a fascinating spin on a song that is very much identified with its guitar and harmonic riffs.