When you think of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” violins and cellos may not be the first instruments that come to mind. But Chicago-based quintet Electric 5 is proving that strings can thrash just as hard as guitars. The all-female electric string ensemble has released their debut—a blistering, no-tracks cover of the iconic rock anthem—and it lands like a lightning bolt.
Armed with two cellos, three violins, and enough stage energy to rival any stadium band, Electric 5 is dismantling expectations of what a string group should sound like. Every riff, run, and harmony was arranged from scratch and played live, giving the track a raw, orchestral punch while still honoring the grit of the original.
At the center of the performance is Adia’s searing violin solo, a moment that pushes the boundaries of the instrument and blurs the line between symphony hall and mosh pit. Around her, Carlysta and the rest of the group weave intricate runs that demand a second listen, balancing technical mastery with unfiltered power.
But beyond the musicianship, Electric 5 is making a statement. By choosing such a heavy-hitting debut, the group is staking its claim in a genre that hasn’t always been welcoming to women or classical crossovers. “We wanted to kick the door open and come at the world loud, hard, and in your face,” they explain—and their cover does exactly that.
It’s this spirit of rebellion and reinvention that makes Electric 5 stand out. Their sound defies easy categorization, moving fluidly between rock, pop, hip hop, and beyond. Whether you’re a lifelong metalhead or a casual Top 40 listener, their music offers something fresh: proof that boundaries between genres are meant to be broken.
Electric 5 isn’t just reimagining one song—they’re reshaping the conversation about what rock can be. And if their debut is any indication, the future is about to get very loud.
