Sometimes two conflicting things can team up to create something interesting. That’s what happened when singers Nicole Atkins joined up with Mark Lanegan to deliver their take on the Guns N’ Roses classic, “November Rain.”

Atkins released the cover featuring Lanegan on Monday. The song features a stripped-down, soulful version of the heavy metal ballad. The pair delivers a different sound than Guns N’ Roses frontman, Axel Rose. Atkins’ sweet interpretation of the song is complemented by Lanegan’s rough, but tender, singing.

According to an article from Stereogum, Atkins decided to cover the song while staying at a cabin in Vermont. She began having dreams about the song and recorded it when she woke up. When she returned to Nashville she decided to record it with Lanegan, who she met through Myspace in 2006.

Since recording the song Atkins has received positive reactions. In an email, she said, “The best thing with this cover is that I’ll play it and people don’t realize what they’re listening to until 30 seconds in. My dad thought it was a Conway Twitter cover. Then they all go, “Wait, is this November Rain?! I love that song!!!!”

“November Rain” is one of GNR’s most popular songs, selling over 1 million copies worldwide since its release in 1992. At the time, it peaked at number 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

The cover is a bit of a different sound for both singers. Atkins’ music has normally been described Americana and has drawn comparisons to the classic rock and roll star, Roy Orbison.  However, this is not the first time she’s released a cover of a song. Earlier this year, she teamed up with Brandi Carlile and Bedouine Join Lucius for a cover of Richard Swift’s “Most of What I Know.”  However, Atkins still releases her own music. In July, she released a video for her single, “A Little Crazy,” off her album, Goodnight Rhonda Lee.

Lanegan, formerly of the Screaming Trees, is mostly known for his work with Grunge or Alt Rock bands. In October, he revealed a dark version of the Pink Floyd song, “Nobody’s Home,” off their album The Wall. In September, he released a collaborative album with Duke Garwood, titled, With Animals.

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat