THE BEST WARNING SONG // Alessia Cara & The Warning - Enter Sandman // Composer Reaction & Analysis 

_“We said, ‘Pick a song. Do what you want with it. If you want to play it backwards or turn it on its head, we respect and appreciate it.’ ” -Lars Ulrich_

This entire thing was written, recorded, produced, and mixed in 10 days, during the pandemic, with Alessia in Canada & The Warning in Mexico. Lars said do what you want but keep the lyrics. Play it backwards, upside down, whatever. I think they took that very much to heart. I have to admit, I am not a Metallica fan, and I was sick of this song, until this version came along. A lullaby where Alessia very sweetly puts you to bed, then Dany rouses the troops, Pau shares a little prayer, and the angel chorus comes to sing you to sleep, then Boom, the hammer drops. I think of this very much as the female version of the Sandman tale. So good. Delicate, powerful, soothing, strong, gentle, fierce-all at the same time. I love this one.

This version has a much more "creepy lullaby" feel than the original. I would say that's very true to the original intent of the song.

This song MADE the Warning back in 2014. As LITTLE KIDS, ten years ago, they did a cover of it that *mirrored* the original. Among many other opportunities, it put them on the Ellen Degeneris show and sent them to Berklee College of Music for a 2015 summer session. It has over 25 million views on RU-vid alone. This version completely reimagines the original Metallica version (which, frankly, I considered a tune-out factor because the lyrical message and the heavy metal vibe clashed for me at the time it came out. I'm a '60s - '70s rocker with jazz, classical and prog proclivities). This is a piece that most reviewers have been amazed to hear. It met Metallica's expectations, so much so that they recommended a video game company use it on their game, instead of the Metallica version. The new structure builds, ebbs, and flows, getting darker, creepier, and weirder as it goes, and concludes with the terror of the original riff. It is a female, non-macho version of the lullaby. It is effectively a different song, but pays homage to the original. It hits a LOT harder when they play this live, as at the 08/29/2022 Teatro Metropolitan, CDMX concert. That is one of the best rock concerts ever recorded, IMHO.

Jame Hatfield wanted to originally write Enter Sandman as a heavy metal lullaby. The Warning and Alessia care gave a strictly male song and gave it a feminine touch. Emphasing is on the lullaby aspect of the song.

Most people who understand what the purpose of this song cover project was, are very happy with the result. There's a reason that Metallica chose The Warning's version of Enter Sandman as the opening track of The Blacklist Album, versus more than 50 other artists. It was also used by both Marvel and Fox Sports. If you're looking for songs from The Warning that offer contrast and change throughout, all you have to do is listen to more material. Currently, they have three full length albums out, as well as a few one off projects. As nice as the cover of Enter Sandman is, it doesn't even come close to being one of their best works. For some dynamic change in a song, try Disciple, Error, Queen of the Murder Scene, Evolve, Amour, Survive, Copper Bullets, or many others. And, please, whenever possible, listen to and watch live versions. Thank you, for taking the time to "react" to The Warning!

Lyrics are not changed, BUT ..... Everything else! They turned it upside down and inside out, just like they were asked to do it.

I like this version of the song but a lot of The Warning song’s of originals I like more!

The vocals were to accomodate Alessia in the song. Perhaps you should hear the Teatro Metropolitan version in order to judge better the song

I think the girls did a fantastic job given the insane time constraints and logistics they had to work with.

I love artists/bands that aren’t afraid to take risks. If you’re going to cover a song, you have to either play it better than the original (good luck) or make it their own. I may or may not prefer the direction that they choose, but I respect the heck out of them for taking a risk. I love The Warning for lots of different reasons however they are tied for 1st place with my other favorite band Pentatonix! You kept mentioning harmonies in all three videos and I kept saying to myself that you HAVE to be an a capella fan! IMO, PTX are the best a capella group around not just because of their voices but because of their intricate and ballsy arranging (2 of their Grammys are for the actual arrangement), use of dynamics, blend, use of space/silence etc to make it their own. If you haven’t checked out their most cover that was released the week before Christmas- it’s their (newest) cover of O Holy Night. They covered it a few years ago, but this arrangement is the BEST arrangement I’ve EVER heard from them and I’ve been a fan for over a decade. Please, even though Christmas is over, consider reacting to this cover. I’d love to hear your thoughts. And The Warning plays solid, melodic hard rock. They are best experienced live in concert and honestly it’s their energy, passion, talent and dedication that makes them special

Interesting! I like your detailed analysis! I strongly suggest you work through the album Queen Of The Murder Scene, the second album by the warning, which is a rock novel. It must be listened to in order to grasp the lyrical and musical concepts as a whole. It’s still rock… not sure if i would call it arena Rock other than the fact that it’s hugely successful in their huge arena tours when they play songs from it, but it’s a more complex and musically diverse album than Error is

I appreciate the time you spent on your review and analysis, but with respect to your exposure to their originals, you have only reacted to a very limited sample size. There is quite a variation in style among their 50+ original songs. Also, it’s important to understand that they usually craft the song around the lyrics and/or message they are trying to convey, rather than just making up lyrics for a song they compose. Recommend Disciple, Z, Amour, or Animosity from the pro-recorded live performance at Teatro Metropolitan CDMX on their channel.

I got tired of listening to the original version, which is literally elevator music, nowadays. Seriously - Muzak has it on several "oldies" feeds for environmental background music. This version is a breath of fresh air that makes me want to listen again and again. If I had never heard the original, I'd certainly be a fan of this version. So, it doesn't rely on the original to establish itself. I think the criticism about the thematic "ohhhhhhohohohohhh" is valid, from a certain point of view, but not to me. For me, the song stands alone. It's not "trying to be 'Enter Sandman'." It succeeds in being a totally different entity. I think that's an important distinction. As for "variety in their writing", I think it's good to judge their entire catalog of almost 50 original songs, rather than a handful of similar "anthem banger songs". Covers are not where they are at - they're one-offs for special projects.

Receommend you listen to the Live at Teatro Metropolitan version without Alessia Cara. It won't solve all the issues you raise because there is still some Alessia background track. But they are minimized as Dany's grit takes the vocal lead. Be interested in hearing your take. I might also recommend Matirio or Revenant live from the same concert. I think you might appreciate. Or Evolve if you haven't reacted to it yet. The MTV VMA version is a great performance.

Great reaction. Enjoyed your intelligent analysis. The live version from Teatro Metropolitan is even better. Heavier. I don't think you will find too many Warning fans who think this is their best song though.

You need to review their version live at the Teatro Meto August 2022.

Watch this live at the Teatro Metropolitan. The Pepsi WTC in Mexico City concert had a short orchestra with them for this.

I'm puzzled by some of the harsh TWA comments, the commentors who say he hates the song, hate TW, and make digs at him on their way out. He's a critic, he makes 30 minute videos where he examines each part of the song, and *gasp* dares to critique The Warning rather than spout a bunch of fluff to get more TWA subscribers, as nearly every reactor out there does. He said a LOT of very good things about The Warning's composition and approach to the song, and had reservations about what he thought were things, IN HIS OPINION, that didn't work in the song. Grow up, you guys, we can only grow as artists if we step back and accept feedback as we develop our craft. I know for a fact The Warning continually seek the input of others. There are many videos where they talk about collaborating with other musicians and producers, and how those others challenge them to think outside their comfort zone, and they often fight back (e.g. speak Spanish to each other in the corner when David Bendeth is disagreeing with them, act like "lionesses," a term people they work with have often used to describe them). DPA can definitely take care of themselves! Listening to other viewpoints is a big part of how we get better! DPA know how to take criticism--take their example and learn how to do it yourself! I'm in love with DPA as much as anyone in TWA, but overprotection and immature intolerance to the slightest critique is doing a disservice to The Warning, especially when it makes the rest of us look bad. Stop it! If you don't like it, just change the channel. If you want to disagree, do it like an adult. Ok, my rant is over.

There were other good covers on the Blacklist album, but this was by far the best.

Thanks for reviewing The Warning. If you want to see the current state of their art, you should review their recent performance of "EVOLVE" at the 2023 VMA's. You'll see a fresh, unknown band, rip the faces off of a hip-hop audience and rocking their asses off too. Plenty of rippage too. It is definitely their best performance to date.

It fits perfectly. Lars Loved it 100%.

Really cool cover! Awesome to hear a song that's become so familiar done in such a fresh way, but in a way that maintains its tonality. In some ways I could even argue this better captures the "haunting menace" of bad dreams. Really nice touch saving the iconic riff until the ending too.

No es tan dificil de entender esta cancion solo tuvieron 10 dias para hacerla, facil la cancion fue una invitacion de los productores de Metallica para Alesia pero decidieron a ultima hora invitar a The Warning para colaborar y con ella bien, ahora viene lo dificil tiene que incluir a una cantante de pop y R&B, con chicas que tocan Hardrock y Rock en una cancion de metal, simple era reconstruir la cancion para que todo encaje y todos participen al mismo tiempo sin que nadie quede fuera, y que se escuche a Metallica muchos en el Blacklist solo copiaron y pegaron ellas trabajaron para que quedara perfecta esta cancion incluso ahora en su show en Mexico le incluyeron cuerdas para llenar mas y se escucha de maravilla. No hay que complicarse solo por una cancion incluso a Metallica les fascino y a los productores ya que fueron las que mas se acercaron a lo que pedian. Saludos 🤘

You should check the live version of this song, try the Teatro Metropolitan show!

I didn't like choice of songs you did from The Warning, Choke is "the single": great voice, catchy. And when you said you wanted to see "musicianship" people recommended you Dust to Dust to show you the drummer singing while piling on the drums but it is also a simple song. I think Disciple is where they play more with the "shapes" of the song.

I didn't see this as a negative reaction at all, if you're paying attention he was very positive about a lot!

As others have already commented, The Warning followed Metallica's SPECIFIC instructions as put forth by Lars, and THEY SLAYED IT. PERIOD. Maybe most importantly, the girls were aware that James Hetfield originally conceived the song as a lullaby for his son. Hence, the initial low-key, softer, slower lullaby feel of it. Based on that little-known fact, The Warning knew precisely what to do when composing and rearranging the song.

It would also be interesting to have your take on the live performance of this at Teatro Metropolitan without Alessia, which is a more The Warning version. The instructions given by Metallica for the Blacklist album, which is what this cover was done for, was to re-invent the song and not do a straight cover. Let's agree to disagree about this version, as to me it is a far superior song to the original.

I just listened to all of your reviews of the Warning. I'm a classically trained musician like you. What I think you're missing is context. In Enter Sandman, was the Warning's first viral video when they were children. Metallica asked them to reimagine the song with Alessia Cara and gave them 10 days to do it. They are classically trained musicians. Since I have watched them grow... from a meme to a headliner I know what they can do. It's the intentionality in which they make decisions that you see across all their music that is very obvious. You noticed it when you said they don't show off they give the song what the song needs. That is their intention. They break musical theory rules and they follow them. If I was to give you some advice it would be don't give positives in a negative context. If you don't like the band and their presentation, fine. Just remember that's you. To you, it's eeh, classic rock riffs. To others, those riffs are what my ears wanted to hear.

Dude you want to see what this bands about just watch any song Live from the TEATRO METROPOLITAN THEATRE & that will tell you all you need to know about this band🤘🤘🤘

Sinister smiles is what you want then

Loved the analysis as the song played and you had the similar reactions to me listening to this song

I love love love the snarly version that the Warning does live, but man! The creepiness of this version is off the charts. It's like they're leading all of us to the slaughter. And I fucking love it.

Actually prefer this over the Metallica original ♥

You absolutely need to hear the version from Live at Teatro Metropolitan CDMX. Mostly Sung by the Warning, and kicks Ass. How many of The Warning songs have you heard? I would really like to know. They have written close to 50 songs. Most of their songs are very good to excellent! You need to react to Evolve and Deciple. They Harmonize unbelievable on these songs and many others. As many, many have said They do not write bad songs.

I somewaht agree with you. I love this version. I guess they write relatively simple songs, cause they now need to grow. Of course, if they prefer to go this way, it is their decision. I hope in the future they have a long break and start writing more deep, more complex songs, because they are more than capable to do it (from the composition and playing side)

For you to have a better knowledge or know what the band TW means or is about, you should witness their performance at the recent Mtv VMA's, particularly their song called "Evolve." A great rock band is not just its lyrics or its sound, period. The crowd does not base their musical tastes on anything other than what is transmitted to them emotionally. The beauty of TW's music is its art... and its art is in its simplicity. And believe me... Dany, Pau and Ale are beyond needing you to "give them another chance". That's for sure!! Thanks and regards!! 🤘😁✌️

Recommend official videos for Martirio, Error and 21st Century Blood.

You watched the inferior vetsion. You must checknout the LIVE version they played this song at their concert at the Teatro Metropolitan CDMX in August 2022. It is a superior version in every way.

Imagine being asked by Metallica to be a part of the black list album and being asked to change the song and present it to us in a very very short time! I think they did an amazing job with it and putting a feminine touch on it and then to honor the song with the original riff at the end??? Then you complain about it??? What ever dude!

Un cover original de The Warning, ENTER SANDMAN, el mejor tema del black list ,un tema que puede ser incluso mejor que el original,excelente interpretación ,buenos coros, TW son maestras de la composición

Wow you're really confusing me, talking in circles. It's very clear and easy listening.. great re-imagined play of a cool song.... Thanks for the reaction..see ya..🤟🎶☮️

Vocal motifs are not different than instrumental motifs: you're just using the voice as an instrument. Their value/use literally cannot be criticized based on the lyrical content of the song. That simply makes no sense analytically: voices are instruments, not just a medium for lyrical content. The vocals are actually a variation on the motif that the guitar establishes, which of course is an inversion of the original riff itself, but made darker and more menacing.

All their songs are best. N00b.

You should listen to the live version from the Teatro Metropolitan live show from 2022, i don't know who Alessia Cara is and no disrespect to her vocal abilities but, When the girls do it by themselves the song takes on a different color , i really recommend it, great reaction from you tho!

Loved it a new fresh take

The fact you didnt even mention that Pau the drummer was doing the singing in your last The Warning reaction " Dust to Dust " That song was writen when Pau was 14 . . . . Most would think that that was pretty good . . The Warning have just celebrated 10 years as a band ( more than the Beatles) . . . So the early music was writen by kids . .

I also just put your Chanel in the I File!

People are suggesting that Metallica cover a Warning song, and I'm all like "Please...no..."

The Warning is the only band that followed the instructions correctly as per Metallica's request they wanted the bands to turn their songs inside out, backwards and upside down to completely re-write the covers and THE WARNING was the ONLY!!! band that followed the instructions if you want note for note copies listen to the version that they did when they were little girls They Murdered that version too!!!

🤘🤘

You know a lot more about music than I do, I just know waht I like, film and book critics do the same thing all the time, I guess enjoying the music is frowned upon.

Buddy, you are completely off about this. Read about the “Metallica black list” album. This is precisely what Metallica wanted! Over 50 artists participated in this album playing Metallica covers from the “Black Album”. Lars told the artists “Don’t play the covers exactly as they are”. Instead reimagine the songs to your style of music. This is a Metallica song played “The Warning” style. This is probably the best rendition in the whole “black list” album.

😊

Love your detailed analysis and persuasive arguments. Also agree with you about the Whoah Whoah "chorus?" being the weak part of the song. Those vocals are Alessia Cara's obviously and really her sole contribution to the song other than the opening verse. Not sure if she's responsible for writing that or The Warning - someone here might be able to clarify who wrote what in this reimagining. As far as you looking for contrast, I think you should look at their song Evolve. It has the vocal harmonies and riffage you like, but more importantly, it has several distinct sections, time signature changes, more technical playing in general, and a breakdown to die for. Most fans would say the live version from the MTV 2023 VMAs is the definitive version for its energy, but the official music video is structurally the same with better camera angles and a superior drum mix.

IMO waiting for the outro to pay homage to the main riff is brilliant. The anticipation and buildup makes it such a worthy payoff.

Honestly what heard was, well they do this it's what you traditionally do, I don't like it but it's what you doo, and it's not traditional enough. Basically a textbook critic review, that's out of touch with what actual people like. We see it all the be it music or movies. Critics hail a thing down, but the people love it. Hell I've seen this country's most famous music critic hail down a concert he wasn't even at. If you don't like the warnings music that's fair, and you shouldn't sit there and lie about what you think. I don't know what songs you've heard because you don't make playlists and I'm not about to sort through your mess of thumbnails to find out. But reacting to bands you already know you don't like, and not have anything new to say, will give you views as well so do what you need to do. Peace.

You are over analyzing this. This was changed per Metallica’s instructions for the Blacklist Album and they delivered exactly what Metallica was looking for and were very happy with the final result.

Sorry I didn't agree with your opinions.

Metallica loved this version so much they put it as the first song on The Blacklist album. The original was originally meant to be a lullaby, and The Warning made it so. I think this version is one fo the best covers and it was nice of Metallica to write a song for The Warning lol. i respect your perspective of this version, but I have to disagree a bit.

It's the same with every one of his The Warning reactions. 'I like it, but.....' and then he picks it apart until nothing is left. The difference between experiencing the emotion of music with the cerebellum instead of the heart. Well, facts: They got the call from Metallica and had 10 days to communicate with Alessia in Canada via Zoom while they were in Mexico (it was mid-pandemic), to arrange the song, record it, mix it and deliver the result to Metallica. If you can do better, please raise your hand. Idk, does he even know how to play an instrument??

Teatro Live is SO MUCH BETTER

idk i don't like it as much as the original. pretty watered down. feels overly theatrical

I like the band overall but this song is just what it is...A good little Altpop song no more no less ✌️🧐🤘

It's frustrating when you have no success with your own pieces. I've listened to something. It was a mixture of pseudo-interlektuel prog and krautrock with an attempt to bring in some classical music. I heard and saw your music back in the 70s. You could have a good smoke with it. It's really not to everyone's taste, the target group is quite small. I don't doubt your musical understanding and playing skills. But somehow I have the feeling that there is someone who is very frustrated. The 3 of them wrote catchy, well-made rock music at an age when 99% of fans and critics have just learned to tie their shoes.

You get a like for the video, but i really don´t like this version at all. Bloody Gen Z music.... i´m an old grumpy bastard, i know...

It’s too bad you didn’t do any research before or after your take. I’m listening to you ramble on and not saying anything meaningful. I walk away from this reaction having no idea what you said or mean. Wow. Brutal failure 😞

Are you KIDDING? The original is what it is, and it was great, but these ladies rearranged the original, and KILLED IT, and you giving it a HOHUM reaction is just plain BS.

To each his own. Female bands may not be your thing

I could care less about what you say or think, because Metallica loved it and it is number 1 on the Black List Album you sound like you hate everything.

LOL you have no clue dude... just words that make no sense at all.... bla bla bla bigger Rockers with mush more knowledge LOVE everything about their version;;;

Too bad Metallica disagrees with you. I like the live version better. Try it.

You follow your obviously pre screened script to a t. Congratulations on being a typical RU-vid reactor.

holy fuck dude, you could've said that in two minutes. Pro Tip: Edit yourself