Body Count have teamed up with David Gilmour for a cover of Pink Floyd‘s ‘Comfortably Numb’ – listen below.
The US rap metal band’s powerful rendition of the classic 1980 single – taken from Pink Floyd’s seminal 1979 album, ‘The Wall’ – is described as “a fusion of rock history and raw, modern energy”.
It contains profound reimagined lyrics that touch on concerns about the “scary” modern world, as well as haunting guitar work from Gilmour.
In a statement, frontman Ice-T explained: “For me, ‘Comfortably Numb’, is an introspective song – it’s me acknowledging that I’m older now. I’m telling the younger generation, you’ve got two choices: you can keep the fire burning or you can give up.
“It’s me trying to make sense of what’s happening, but also pointing out that we’re all in a place where we don’t have to face reality. We’ve got flat-screen TVs and popcorn, and we can just sit back and watch the chaos of the world like it’s a TV show.”
He concluded: “It doesn’t feel real until it shows up at your door. I’m a little numb, too—we all are.”
Gilmour added: “Body Count’s version of ‘Comfortably Numb’ is quite radical, but the words really struck me. It astonishes me that a tune I wrote almost 50 years ago is back with this great new approach. They’ve made it relevant again.”
As for how the collaboration came about, the musician recalled: “The initial contact from Ice-T was for permission to use the song, but I thought I might offer to play on it as well. I like the new lyrics, they’re talking about the world we’re living in now, which is quite scary.”
Gilmour also hinted at a possible live performance of the track in the future, saying: “Ice-T and Body Count played in London recently, sadly I couldn’t make it, but if another opportunity came up to play with them, I’d jump at it.”
Additionally, Body Count have announced that their new album ‘Merciless’ will be released on November 22 via Century Media (pre-order here).
Body Count’s current line-up includes original members Ice-T, Ernie C and Sean E Sean, joined by bassist Vincent Price, drummer Will “Ill Will” Dorsey, Juan “Juan Of The Dead” Garcia and backing vocalist Little Ice.
They embarked on their ‘Merciless’ UK and European tour this summer. Body Count’s seventh and latest studio album, ‘Carnivore’, was released in 2020.
In other news, Gilmour has revealed that he “no longer feels comfortable singing” three classic Pink Floyd songs.
Meanwhile, the guitarist performed his first live gig in four years earlier this month at an East Sussex pub’s open mic night – where he joined his daughter for a version of Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’.