Metal Allegiance

Metal Allegiance

Metal heads unite! If you haven’t had a chance to grab this record you are missing out. Normally I am not a big fan of records that that bring in an assortment of artists to create an album such as this.. But this is one of those rare occasions where the musicians nailed it.

The bands core features, David Ellefson (Megadeth), Mike Portnoy (The Winery Dogs), Alex Skolnick (Testament) and Mark Menghi (musical instruments industry exec).

The album contains guest appearances by:

• Philip H. Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN)
• Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX)
• Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT)
• D. Randall Blythe (LAMB OF GOD)
• Rex Brown (PANTERA, DOWN, KILL DEVIL HILL)
• Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal
• Phil Demmel (MACHINE HEAD)
• Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY)
• Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM)
• Gary Holt (EXODUS)
• Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED)
• Chris Jericho (FOZZY)
• Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA)
• Misha Mansoor (PERIPHERY)
• Mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL)
• Tim “Ripper” Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH)
• Doug Pinnick (KING’S X, KXM)
• Troy Sanders (MASTODON)
• Cristina Scabbia (LACUNA COIL)
• Steve “Zetro” Souza (EXODUS)
• Ben Weinman (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN)

The songs are well written. When I compare it to other Rock / Metal albums that came out in 2015, this is easily the Rock record of the year, even with releases from Slayer and Motorhead.

There is such a diverse group of rock and metal players that I wasn’t sure how the record was going to sound, but it is kick ass.

Gift of Pain, Can’t Kill the Devil and Dying Song are my favorites, but the album will blow your face off from track 1 to track 10. This one needs to be in everyone’s music collection. Do not pass this one up.

Here is the complete track listing and lineup:

01. Gift Of Pain

Vocals: D. Randall Blythe
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Additional Lead Guitar: Gary Holt

02. Let Darkness Fall
Vocals: Troy Sanders
Lead, Rhythm & Acoustic Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums & Percussion: Mike Portnoy
Additional Bass: Mark Menghi & Rex Brown
Additional Screams: D. Randall Blythe

03. Dying Song
Vocals: Philip H. Anselmo
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: Mark Menghi
Drums: Mike Portnoy

04. Can’t Kill The Devil
Vocals: Chuck Billy
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Additional Lead Guitar: Phil Demmel & Andreas Kisser

05. Scars
Vocals: Mark Osegueda & Cristina Scabbia
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy

06. Destination: Nowhere
Vocals: Matthew K. Heafy
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Additional Lead Guitar: Matthew K. Heafy

07. Wait Until Tomorrow
Vocals: Doug Pinnick & Jamey Jasta
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums, Percussion & Additional Vocals: Mike Portnoy

08. Triangulum I. Creation II. Evolution III. Destruction
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Additional Lead Guitar: Misha Mansoor, Ben Weinman, Charlie Benante, Phil Demmel, Matthew K. Heafy & Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal

09. Pledge Of Allegiance
Vocals: Mark Osegueda
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Additional Lead Guitar: Charlie Benante, Gary Holt & Andreas Kisser

10. We Rock (DIO cover) (deluxe edition only)
Vocals: Mark Osegueda, Chris Jericho, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Alissa White-Gluz, Chuck Billy & Steve “Zetro” Souza
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Additional Lead Guitar: Andreas Kisser, Phil Demmel & Gary Holt

You can find more info on Metal Allegiance here.