Slane school students hope to grab Metallica's attention with incredible tribute

A group of sixth class students from St Patrick's National School in Slane have recorded a powerful version of Metallica's 1991 hit 'Nothing Else Matters' ahead of the iconic rock band's eagerly awaited concert in Slane Castle on June 8th and they are hoping to catch the attention of the American heavy metal act when they touch down in Ireland. 

Lord Henry has sent the video to Metallica's team according to teacher Kevin Fagan and they are hopeful of a reply, 

"Lord Henry sent the video on to the band's management so it would be great to get some kind of response from them, we'll have to wait to see what happens."

The talented bunch of musicians were keen to cover the song having "got the bug" for performing when they released a charity single at Christmas raising €2,500 for St Vincent De Paul according to the 6th class teacher, 

"I knew there were musicians in the class and I am involved in music myself out of school so I was eager to see what we could do. We recorded the Band-Aid song at Christmas for charity in a professional recording studio and they loved it. When we heard that Metallica was coming, I knew that there were a few fans in the class so we wanted to do something to pay tribute to them. 

 

"I thought Nothing Else Matters vocally would suit them and the track features a violin and there is a violinist n the class so it worked really well.

There was no shortage of enthusiasm in the process, according to the sixth class teacher, 

"There were 17 or 18 of them that wanted to do solo lines and duets, they were so excited to do it. They are a great gang and are really enthusiastic about everything that they do."

The classroom was transformed into a makeshift recording studio for the music video as Kevin explains, 

"Everything you hear is performed by the kids, all instrumentation and all vocals. We stayed in at lunchtimes learning music, vocal lines and harmonies and set up a recording studio in our classroom.

 

The children of St Patrick's N.S Slane recording 'Nothing Else Matters'

"I set up a little portable studio and had some help from a friend. I had to throw up some black sheets up to disguise the blackboard and books, but I don't think it looked too bad," he laughs. 

The children are taking well to their new found fame according to musician, Kevin. 

"They are loving the whole buzz of it because everyone is talking about them. They got a mention at the Garda press conference at Slane Castle yesterday. They are delighted."

The heavy metal legends are set to perform at Slane Castle next week and Fagan is hoping that James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo will be impressed.

"They have the video so we'd love to get some kind of response from them."

Or better still an invitation to do a duet?

"Yes that would be ideal, I think that would make their year."