What happens when a Finnish bluegrass band takes on one of Metallica’s most emotional songs?
Steve’n’Seagulls answer that beside a quiet lakeside, turning Nothing Else Matters into a wonderfully unexpected mix of banjo, accordion, upright bass and stripped-back percussion.
The unusual arrangement is what draws you in, but the feeling is what keeps you watching. Beneath the rustic sound, the song’s themes of trust, closeness and shutting out the outside world still come through clearly, giving this familiar classic a surprisingly intimate new life.
Steve’n’Seagulls don’t simply copy Nothing Else Matters. They reshape it around their own acoustic sound, with banjo, accordion, upright bass and stripped-back percussion giving the Metallica ballad a completely different character.
What survives the transformation is the heart of the song. The lyrics still revolve around closeness, trust and being honest with someone, but the rustic arrangement makes those ideas feel more intimate. Instead of sounding heavy or dramatic, the performance feels warm, loose and almost conversational.
As the song moves forward, the mood gradually toughens. The more vulnerable lines give way to the familiar dismissal of outside opinions, and the band leans into that change without losing the relaxed feel of the arrangement.
That contrast works especially well here. The song can move from tenderness to defiance within a few lines, while the acoustic instrumentation keeps everything grounded. Applause between sections adds to the sense that this is a live moment rather than a polished recreation of the original.
The live video was filmed by Jaakko Manninen Photography, with Antti Laitila handling the recording and mixing.
Steve’n’Seagulls later included Nothing Else Matters on their 2015 album Farm Machine, alongside the kind of hard-rock and metal songs that have become the band’s calling card. Their album version on YouTube offers another take on the song, while performances of Thunderstruck and Still Loving You show just how naturally the group turns rock staples into something distinctly their own.
By the time Steve’n’Seagulls return to the closing refrain, the novelty of hearing Metallica on banjo and accordion has largely disappeared.
What remains is simply a strong performance of a great song.
That is what makes this cover work so well. The unusual instrumentation gets your attention, but the band never treats Nothing Else Matters like a joke. They preserve its emotional core while giving it a sound that could only belong to Steve’n’Seagulls.
More from the band can be found on their official Facebook page and YouTube channel.
