Vocal Strength Coach Reacts to Nene Royal | Nothing Else Matters | FIRST TIME

What stood out to me most in “Nothing Else Matters” was how little Nene seemed interested in imitating James Hetfield. His vocal on this song is so recognizable. He often lets the middle of the phrase stay relatively relaxed, then gives the end of the line that ragged, gravelly character that immediately sounds like Hetfield. Nene doesn’t really chase that here. Instead, she creates the power in her own way. Different vocal colors, different choices, different ways of leaning into a phrase—and somehow it still gives the listener the emotional impact the song needs without turning into an impression of the original singer. That’s becoming one of my favorite things about watching her back catalog. She seems completely comfortable changing iconic songs just enough to make them hers while still respecting what made people love them in the first place. And beyond the vocals, she just looks like she’s having an unbelievable amount of fun. Playing to the crowd, working the guitar, manipulating her voice—she looks completely at home doing this. Whether Nene wins America’s Got Talent or not, I genuinely think AGT could end up being one of the smaller accomplishments of her adult career. There is a LOT more ahead of her.