Zürich’s own Fueled By Fear have taken a bold leap into the unknown, releasing a heavy-as-hell reinterpretation of the 1985 A-HA smash hit “Take On Me”. Far from a simple carbon copy, the band has stripped back the synth-pop gloss to reveal a darker, more urgent side to the track. The song is a standout feature of their new EP, Ordinary Evil, which dropped earlier this year.
Guitarist Daniel Zopfi explains that while everyone knows the original, the band felt there was a hidden emotional layer waiting to be unearthed. “With our version, we wanted to bring out the darker side of that feeling – the tension, the urgency, and the sense of stepping into the unknown,” he says. The accompanying music video leans into this, mixing 80s aesthetics with a bit of self-aware parody and the band’s trademark aggressive sound.
Drummer Mauro Galasso admits he was skeptical when the idea first surfaced four years ago. “Turning an 80s pop classic into a metalcore/melodic death metal track just didn’t seem to make sense,” he laughs. However, once the arrangement clicked, it became a tribute that is anything but traditional. The track was produced by Oscar Nilsson at Bohus Studio, bringing that punchy Gothenburg metal edge that fans of In Flames or The Haunted will immediately recognise.
The EP itself, Ordinary Evil, is a deep dive into heavy themes, inspired by Hannah Arendt’s concepts on the “banality of evil.” It’s a confrontational record born from four years of “blood, sweat, and tears,” according to guitarist Manuel Elber. The band has sharpened their tools here, delivering a mix of dark groove and melodic anthems that refuse to play it safe.
Having previously supported the likes of Sepultura and Pantera, Fueled By Fear are proving they are a force to be reckoned with in the European metal scene. If you fancy hearing a childhood favourite transformed into a mosh-pit anthem, this is the one for you.
Don’t fancy Patreon? Buy us a one-off beverage!
Header image by Marcel Bruderer
Check out our Classic Covers playlists from 2021 onwards
Fueled By Fear: facebook | instagram | spotify | tiktok | youtube
