The seventh and final season of beloved Shakespearean-steeped, violence-soaked FX drama Sons Of Anarchy starts in the next 24 hours over in the United States, but before we go for one last ride with Jax (Charlie Hunnam) and his merry band of bike-loving badasses, we're getting a treat in the form of two brand new covers crafted especially for the show's ultimate set of episodes.
The first is a reworking of The Association's Never My Love, by regular Sons band The Forest Rangers with assistance from Audra May and Billy Valentine, which, it must be noted, is a worthy reworking indeed, but the true gem in the covers crown is The Forest Rangers' do-over of Queen's seminal anthem Bohemian Rhapsody, featuring Valentine, The White Buffalo and Frankie Perez.
With prepubescent choir vocals replacing Freddie Mercury and co's four-party opening harmonies, it doesn't take long for the song to hit its deep, bluesy stride proper, quickly asserting itself as actually one of the most capable reimaginings to date of one of music history's most identifiably iconic compositions.
"I'll never say, 'Got this down,' but I will say tackling Bohemian Rhapsody would've been impossible had we taken it on in any season prior to this one," Sons music supervisor Bob Thiele, Jr told Billboard. "It's kind of the sum total of all our musical adventures. It's rock, it's blues, it's a bit traditional country, and we even have some kids singing on it. No point in trying to match Freddie's incredible opening salvo!"
You can hear both covers directly here.
Sons Of Anarchy's seventh season will feature guest spots from both Marilyn Manson and Courtney Love; the run of eps kicks off on Showcase, on Foxtel, tomorrow, September 10, at 9.35pm.
