Reimagining Syd Matters’ “Obstacles” as a Heavy Metal Masterpiece

 

If you’ve ever played Life is Strange, you know the power of its soundtrack. Among the standout tracks is “Obstacles” by Syd Matters, a soft, atmospheric song that perfectly captures the bittersweet, reflective mood of the game. Its gentle acoustic guitar, ambient textures, and intimate vocals make it a memorable and emotional experience for players. But here’s the thing: while the song is beautiful as it is, I can’t help but imagine it in a completely different light — as a heavy metal track.

At first glance, this might seem like a wild leap. How could a soft indie-folk song translate to the raw aggression and high-energy sound of metal? But when you dig into the structure, melody, and emotion of “Obstacles,” it’s not just possible — it’s tantalizingly feasible. In fact, I think it would make a killer metal interpretation that could blow listeners away.

Why “Obstacles” Has Metal Potential

Let’s start with why this song, of all songs, works as a candidate for a heavy metal transformation.

1. Strong Core Melody – The vocal line in “Obstacles” is memorable, simple, and haunting. In metal, melodies are often layered over distorted guitars, driving rhythms, and complex drumming. That vocal melody could easily be adapted into a soaring guitar riff, forming the backbone of a metal version.
2. Emotional Dynamics – Metal is surprisingly versatile when it comes to emotion. While people often associate it with aggression, it’s just as capable of conveying melancholy, tension, and introspection — qualities “Obstacles” already has in spades. A heavy metal adaptation could amplify the emotional punch, contrasting heavy instrumentation with delicate moments, like clean vocals or melodic guitar bridges.
3. Rhythmic Flexibility – The original has a laid-back tempo, but its chord progressions could translate into driving rhythms for drums and bass. The acoustic strumming patterns could be reinterpreted as galloping riffs, double bass drum patterns, and syncopated rhythms, giving the song new energy while maintaining its core identity.
4. Atmospheric Layers – One of the reasons “Obstacles” resonates is its atmospheric quality. Metal has evolved to include lush textures, from symphonic arrangements to layered guitar effects. Ambient passages in the original could inspire atmospheric metal breakdowns, synthesizer layers, or reverb-drenched guitar lines that retain the original’s vibe while adding power.

Learning from Koethe Koethe’s Version

Interestingly, Koethe Koethe’s version of “Obstacles” provides a perfect example of how the song can be reinterpreted. While it’s not metal, this version picks up the pace, intensity, and overall energy of the song, adding subtle instrumental layers and expanding the track length. It demonstrates that “Obstacles” is flexible — it can handle more tempo and drive without losing its emotional core.

For a metal version, you could take this idea even further:

• Increase the tempo to give it a more aggressive, head-banging feel.
• Introduce heavy guitars, bass, and pounding drums, creating a powerful backbone.
• Include guitar solos that riff off the original melody, giving the track virtuosity and flair.
• Expand the song structure just like Koethe Koethe does — add bridges, instrumental sections, or breakdowns to make it feel epic and layered.

In other words, Koethe Koethe’s reinterpretation proves that “Obstacles” can evolve while still respecting the original composition. A metal cover could push that evolution further, turning a delicate indie-folk gem into a thrilling, heavy, and expansive experience.

Imagining the Metal Version

Here’s how I envision it coming together:

• Intro: Start with a heavy guitar riff inspired by the original chord progression. Layer subtle atmospheric elements from the original to keep its emotional feel.
• Verse: Begin with clean picking and soft vocals, gradually introducing distorted guitars and double-kick drums as the verse builds. This mirrors the emotional tension of the song while giving it a heavier presence.
• Chorus: Deliver the melody with either soaring clean vocals or metal-style screaming, backed by thick harmonized guitars. This would give the chorus emotional weight and intensity, contrasting the soft verses.
• Bridge/Instrumental: Include a guitar solo or melodic riff section, expanding the song just as Koethe Koethe expanded it, while adding technical flair and energy.
• Outro: Gradually dial down the intensity with clean guitars, harmonics, or ambient textures, closing the song in a way that pays homage to the original’s reflective tone.

This approach respects the core of “Obstacles” while exploring the unrealized metal potential that’s been hiding in the song all along.

Why This Would Be Exciting

Turning “Obstacles” into a heavy metal track isn’t just about adding distortion and screaming — it’s about reimagining its emotional core in a new medium. The combination of Koethe Koethe’s tempo expansion with heavier instrumentation, guitar solos, and aggressive rhythms could create something fresh, intense, and cathartic. Fans of the original would hear it in a new light, and metal fans might discover Syd Matters’ songwriting brilliance for the first time.

This kind of imaginative analysis is exactly the sort of high-value content a music blog should feature: it’s original, personal, analytical, and creative. It goes beyond surface-level discussion and invites readers to think differently about music they already love.

Final Thoughts

Syd Matters’ “Obstacles” is already a haunting, emotional piece. But with a little creativity, it could transform into a heavy metal masterpiece — picking up the tempo, adding intensity, and incorporating guitar solos and metal vocals. Koethe Koethe’s version shows the song can expand and evolve, which makes the idea of a metal cover even more compelling.

For music lovers, creators, and dreamers alike, posts like this are proof that there’s always room to explore, reinterpret, and imagine. Who knows? Maybe someday someone will actually make this heavy metal version — and it could be absolutely epic.