Experimental pop artist Zola Jesus released a cover of Black Sabbath’s classic ballad “Changes” in a live performance, Stereogum reports. “Changes” first appeared on Vol. 4 in 1972, which is a piano ballad inspired by the story of drummer Bill Ward, who was going through a breakup with his first wife. Lead singer Ozzy Osbourne re-recorded the ballad as a duet with his daughter 31 years later in 2003.
Simple in lyrics but rich in emotion, the stripped-down piano ballad is a song of vulnerability that can move most to tears. Zola Jesus’ reinterpretation is filled with audacity. She gave one of her most powerful performances with this song. There was her rough but strong voice almost ghostly about the track, igniting the chills that are sure to last throughout the entirety of the song. Even if the song is an underlying tone of desperation; listeners can hear the attempts to express a sense of female strongness.
Zola Jesus shared her live performance video on Twitter, saying “here’s a clip of me performing “changes” by black sabbath with the video quality of a snuff film.” The low-quality video might be too gritty within such black-and-white visuals, but Zola Jesus performed deeply and honestly. It’s a sincere gig paying homage to the pioneers of heavy metal music. Scroll down for Zola Jesus’s live cover of “Changes.”
Zola Jesus has fresh off 2019’s SXSW Music Festival this March. Zola Jesus most recent release is an entire EP called Remixed By Johnny Jewel last October. Her last album Okovi: Additions is the added follow-up of her 2017’s Okovi. She also featured in Randall Dunn’s new desert-set video for “A True Home” las year. The pop-driven characteristic separates her from the pack, check out her feature in POP Montreal Music Festival.
More covers of the classics from original stoner metal band Black Sabbath are coming. Musician Zakk Sabbath has announced cover of Black Sabbath’s self-titled debut album will be released in 2020. Magnetic Eye Recordings also decided to pay a tribute to Black Sabbath’s classic album Vol. 4.
Photo Credit: Pamela Lin
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