Metallica Like You’ve NEVER Heard! | Classical Guitarist Reacts to VoicePlay – Nothing Else Matters

I’ve been playing guitar for most of my life, and music has shaped who I am. Today I’m diving into a performance that connects deeply with my own journey as a guitarist.

This piece holds a special place in my heart because it was the first song that inspired me to pick up a guitar when I was a kid. Hearing it again in a new way brings back those memories and reminds me why I fell in love with music in the first place.

I’m excited to share my thoughts as I watch and listen, because this version takes the song into a very different space. It’s not just about the notes or the melody—it’s about how voices can come together with precision and emotion.

That combination makes me curious to see how it all comes across live and what details stand out to me as I experience it for the first time.

Key Takeaways

  • I share how this song influenced my start as a guitarist
  • I give my first reaction to a unique performance style
  • I reflect on what makes the group’s sound stand out

About the Channel

Host’s Musical Background

I have played guitar for more than 25 years. I hold a master’s degree in classical guitar performance and I work full-time as a classical guitar teacher.

My journey began when I was about 12 years old. A friend played Nothing Else Matters at the skate park, and I loved the sound.

That Christmas, my parents bought me a $40 guitar, and I learned the whole song by tabs. That piece pushed me to become a guitarist, and it still means a lot to me.

Channel Content and Community

On this channel, I react to many different kinds of music. I enjoy discovering new artists and sharing my first impressions with you.

I also bring in personal experiences, like how music connects to my own story or even how I might react together with my daughter to certain songs, such as Disney covers.

You can also check out my Patreon, where I post early access videos. Right now, there are about 30 to 40 videos ready before they go public.

How to Suggest Reactions

You can suggest songs or artists for me to react to by posting them on my public board.

  • Add your suggestion with a label.
  • Vote on other suggestions to help decide what comes next.
  • I look at these votes to choose future reactions.

This way, you take part in shaping what I watch and react to on the channel.

Who Is VoicePlay?

A Cappella Group Overview

VoicePlay is one of the oldest a cappella groups still singing today. I watched them perform and realized they sound like a full orchestra, but they use only their voices.

It feels like a small choir that sings with perfect timing and balance, almost like they are one instrument.

Unique Musical Style

Their style is very tight and controlled. Every note lines up so well that it almost feels impossible, but it’s real.

The low voice especially stood out to me because it sounded so deep and powerful, almost like a real bass instrument. The way they blend together shows how much talent and control each singer has.

Key points I noticed:

  • Voices tuned with extreme precision
  • Deep bass that feels larger than life
  • Ensemble works as one unit, like a mini-choir

Notable Covers and Collaborations

I first saw them cover Nothing Else Matters. That song means a lot to me because it was the first piece I learned on guitar, so hearing their version hit me in a special way.

They also have Disney covers that I want to check out with my daughter because she would enjoy them.

Examples mentioned:

  • Nothing Else Matters (Metallica cover)
  • Disney songs (family-friendly and fun)

They also connect with their audience by being open to reactors and even running a Patreon for support.

Background on ‘Nothing Else Matters’

Song Significance

Nothing Else Matters became the first full song I ever learned on guitar. I picked it up through tabs, and even though my version wasn’t perfect, it gave me a strong start.

The fingerstyle parts made it feel close to classical guitar, which connected with me right away.

Personal Connection to Metallica

When I was about 12, I heard a friend play Nothing Else Matters at the skate park. That moment stuck with me because I thought it sounded beautiful.

I asked for a guitar that Christmas, and my parents bought me one for about $40. That song pushed me to become a guitarist, and I can honestly say I owe my career to it.

Learning Guitar Through the Song

I used Nothing Else Matters as my first full practice piece. Learning it step by step built my foundation.

Over time, that single song led me to study classical guitar, earn a master’s degree, and eventually teach full-time. It all started with that one track and a simple guitar.

First Impressions of the Cover

Initial Reaction

Wow, that was impressive. I felt like I was listening to something that should be impossible, but it was real.

The sound reminded me of a guitar orchestra, except it was all voices. I kept thinking how much control they must have over their voices to sing so in tune together.

Hearing it live would be amazing.

Vocal Performance Highlights

  • Low voice: It stood out right away. It sounded almost unreal, but still natural and powerful.
  • Tight blend: Everyone sang like they were one voice, with perfect timing and pitch.
  • Chemistry: Their connection showed in how smooth and unified the performance felt.

I’ve seen people teach how to sing super low, but hearing it in this context surprised me. The intonation was so clean it felt like one instrument.

Musical Arrangement

The arrangement worked like a mini-choir that was extra tight. Each part fit together without gaps, creating a full sound.

It felt like they built layers the way instruments do, but only with voices. The balance and precision made the cover strong and clear.

Even if there was some editing in the recording, I believe live it would still sound powerful because of the skill they showed.

Technical Analysis

Vocal Techniques and Control

I noticed right away how much control each singer has over their voice. The low notes sounded almost unreal, yet still natural.

It takes a lot of practice to stay that steady and in tune.

  • Low register: deep, powerful, and clear
  • Blend: voices matched so closely that it felt seamless
  • Precision: every phrase stayed locked in, without slipping

It reminded me of how much discipline it takes to play a piece on guitar with clean tone and perfect timing.

Group Chemistry and Intonation

What impressed me the most was how they sang as one unit. Their intonation was so tight that it felt like listening to a single instrument.

  • They stayed perfectly aligned in pitch.
  • Their timing showed strong trust in each other.
  • The balance between voices created a choir-like texture, but extra focused.

That kind of chemistry doesn’t happen overnight. It takes hours of rehearsal and a lot of listening to one another.

Comparison to Instrumental Versions

Hearing this version made me think of how the guitar part usually carries the song. Here, the voices replaced the instruments, almost like a vocal orchestra.

ElementInstrumental VersionVocal Version
MelodyGuitar + vocalsLead singer
HarmonyGuitar chordsLayered voices
BassBass guitarLow vocal line
TextureStrings + distortionPure vocal blend

It gave me the same emotional impact as when I first learned the song on guitar, but in a completely different form.

Live Performance Thoughts

Hearing them sing together felt almost unreal. The way their voices blended reminded me of a guitar orchestra, but with only voices.

They stayed so in tune and so tight that it sounded like one single instrument. I kept thinking about how much control they must have over their voices.

To sing that low and still sound so clean takes a huge amount of skill. I’ve seen clips of the bass singer teaching how to reach those notes, and even knowing that, it still surprised me.

I would love to experience this live. The chemistry between them is so strong that it feels like they breathe and move as one.

Key things that stood out to me:

  • The super low voice that almost sounded impossible.
  • How perfectly in tune they stayed throughout the whole piece.
  • The feeling that this was a mini choir with incredible precision.

Their talent shows in how natural they make it look, but I know it takes years of practice and discipline.

Watching them perform gave me a new respect for how the human voice can be used like an instrument.

Engagement and Next Steps

Inviting Viewer Participation

I keep a board open where you can drop your own suggestions. You can also vote on which reaction I should do next.

Ways to join in:

  • Post your suggestion with a label
  • Vote on other people’s ideas
  • Share links to performances you want me to check out

This helps me decide what to react to in the future, and it keeps things interactive.

Upcoming Reactions and Suggestions

Adam suggested VoicePlay, and I’m excited to explore more of their work. They even have Disney covers that I’d love to watch with my daughter.

I plan to:

  • React to more VoicePlay songs
  • Bring my daughter into some videos
  • Revisit older suggestions from the board

Your votes and comments guide what comes next.

Patreon and Early Access

I post 30–40 videos on Patreon before they go public. If you want early access, you can check them out there.

Patreon benefits include:

BenefitDescription
Early AccessWatch videos weeks before YouTube release
Extra ContentSee reactions not yet available publicly

This helps support the channel. It also gives you more ways to stay connected.

author avatar
Jone Ruiz
Jone is a classical guitarist that is creating video game music covers on guitar. He is a holder of a Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and also attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Guitar from the Interamerican University.

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