Am I Evil? - Cover Versions

Cover Versions

The song was made most famous by Metallica's cover of the song, found on the 1988 re-release and the Japanese version of its debut album Kill 'Em All (the original version of the album lacks the inclusion of the cover), though the cover was originally released as a b-side to the "Creeping Death" single in 1984, and was later released on Garage Inc. in 1998. The song has also been featured in its live set throughout its career. The song was made as a faster and heavier version. Hetfield also changed the final chorus from "Am I evil? Yes, I am." to "Am I evil? Yes, I fucking am!" Diamond Head has stated that the band's members are flattered by the cover, and that the royalties from it have enabled the band to continue. Faith No More has also covered the song.

The original Diamond Head version of the song is included in the video games Guitar Hero: Metallica and Brütal Legend. A cover of the Metallica version is included in the game Rock Revolution as a playable track.

Recently, in an extended homage to the song, the united members of the "Big Four of Thrash"—Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth—performed the song together in Sofia, Bulgaria. With the exclusion of Slayer's Tom Araya, Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, the combined members of these bands performed the first half of the song. The recording was released later on the The Big 4 Live from Sofia, Bulgaria DVD.

At the U.K part of the Sonisphere Festival, Bill Bailey used the song as an intro to his set. Diamond Head themselves were also performing at the festival.

In the game The Neverhood, there is a cutscene in which Klaymen pulls a pin that keeps 2 halfs of the Neverhood separated, when the sides are coming together, an altered version of the Metallica cover is played.