Big Changes Made to Shinedown's Acoustic Covers Album

The Shinedown Acoustic Covers album has been in the works for a few months now but a lot has changed since we first reported on it.

It now seems that instead of releasing an album, they only be releasing a six song EP, since a couple artist (Bon Jovi to name one) wouldn't give them permission to use their songs. The EP, titled Acoustic Sessions, will be hitting stores next Tuesday, January 28.

The six songs being featured will include covers of Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters," Otis Redding's "Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay," the Black Crowes' "She Talks to Angels," Soul Asylum's "Runaway Train," Kenny Wayne Shepherd's "Blue on Black" featuring Shepherd himself, and the Clash's "London Calling," which you can listen to below.

Another big change is that the EP will not be released under the name Shinedown. Instead the label has decided to release it under the name Smith & Myers, since they are the only two members of the group on the EP.

Lead singer Brent Smith explained the change saying "The label wanted to do that, and we were like, 'Okay.' 'Cause the label was like, 'Yes, you're in Shinedown, but it's not really Shinedown because -- I mean, it's all an extension of Shinedown because Zach's the guitar player in Shinedown and I'm the singer in Shinedown. But, you know, it was just me and Zach, so I think the label kind of wanted to do maybe a little bit different branding on this particular acoustic cover EP that was coming out, 'cause it is a little different."

The EP will be available on iTunes and most digital retailers on Tuesday. The duo has also recorded videos for all six songs and you can see their version of "London Calling" below.

In other Shinedown news, the band has reportedly returned to the studio to begin work on their fifth studio album.