Music

Listen to a Cover of a Motörhead Played on Church Bells

by Yolanda Machado

When someone decides to cover a song, something in the pop music genre is often the go-to. But Sint Martinuskerk church has no interest in being typical. In Weert, during NetherlandOpens in a new tab’s Torenfestival (a.k.a. the “Tower Festival”), carillon musician Frank Steijns played Sint Martinuskerk’s MedievalOpens in a new tab church bells to the tune of MotörheadOpens in a new tab’s classic “Ace of Spades.” 

We discovered the video via The A.V. ClubOpens in a new tab and though I am not a metalhead myself, trust me, you’re going to want to listen to this cover.

Youtube Video play button

Steijns performs the church bell cover for onlookers and festival goers from way up above in the 15th-centuryOpens in a new tab church. You can see the audience go from “what exactly is this?” to clearly enjoying the unique performance. Some even start bobbing along to the incredible sounding bells and guitar. According to an interview with Classic FMOpens in a new tab, the musician has played the church’s carillon, basically the bells, for over 27 years. Guitarist Jitse Zonneveld joined him for these special performances.

A man playing a piano in a church with a man playing guitar in the background
MotörheadOpens in a new tab

The church bells cover is so well-liked, the British metal band even shared it on Twitter.

Though this cover definitely stands out, the band has been honored in various inspired ways. For example, the Tumblr account Kitten CoversOpens in a new tab. Though the site is now pretty much defunct (no updates since 2012), the kitten cover of the metal band is definitely one for the books. However, if  you’re looking for a more traditional homage, there’s also a Lemmy bronze statueOpens in a new tab in The Rainbow Room, a popular bar located on Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip.

Though the Netherland’s festival is now over, don’t worry. You can still enjoy Steijns cover. Motörhead shared it on their official YouTube channelOpens in a new tab.

Yolanda Machado is the West Coast News Editor for Nerdist. Her bylines have also appeared in TheWrap, The Hollywood Reporter, Elle, GQ, and more.