Metal Allegiance recently released a special edition EP Fallen Heroes in August 2016, a homage to three legends, Lemmy Kilmister, David Bowie and Glen Frey.
Track list
Iron Fist featuring Troy Sanders
Suffragette City featuring Mark Osegueda
Life in The Fast Lane featuring Alissa White-Gluz
Founder Mark Menghi stated the following on the formation of Metal Allegiance.
“Metal Allegiance was developed to do something different, to give the fans something new all while trying to leave a small dent in heavy metal history…with my brothers: Mike, David and Alex, along with our friends who guested on the record, we were able to deliver that vision. The foundation of Metal Allegiance is to surround ourselves with good people and good musicians.
It’s not about egos; it’s not about who is a better player; its more about ‘who is a good person?’
That is the foundation of Metal Allegiance.”
National Association of Music Merchants, NAMM 2017, was being held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. This being the second day, merchants and innovators from all over the world demonstrate their wares. Part of this annual event were several concerts throughout Anaheim. On Friday January 20th at the City National Grove of Anaheim, was Metal Allegiance Performing a Tribute to our Fallen Heroes, a highly-sought after show by the fans and the media in which were split into small groups each having three songs to photograph.
Before Metal Allegiance took the stage, there were three opening acts. Warming up the sold-out crowd, for the first time playing here in Southern California was the metal band Martyrd, based out of New York.
The stage is now set for guitar virtuoso from Greece, Gus G of Firewind/Ozzy Osbourne and his U.S. band members – vocalist James Paul Luna (Holy Grail), bassist Marty O’Brien (Lita Ford) and drummer Alex Bent (Trivium). This already being a big day for Gus G with the U.S. release of Firewind’s Immortals via AFM records, and the introduction of his Signature Star guitar with Jackson Guitars. Their forty-minute set raised the bar, leaving the fans wanting more.
Up next another guitar virtuoso residing in Tokyo, Marty Friedman with his band, female bassist Kiyoshi, guitarist Jordan Ziff and drummer Chargeeeeee, who is a show of his own. Formally of Megadeth and now an accomplished solo artist. It’s always a welcome sight when Friedman is in the States.
Now the headlining act – Metal Allegiance Performing a Tribute to our Fallen Heroes, hosted by Jackson, Charvel and EVH. Loudwire was filming a live stream for those not in attendance. The who’s who of the metal community were paying homage to the metal gods who have passed. Ronnie James Dio, David Bowie, Prince, Lemmy Kilmister, Nick Meza, Gar Samuelson, Phil Taylor, Layne Staley, Mike Starr, Jeff Hanneman, Randy Rhodes, Freddy Mercury, Phil Lynott, Clive Burr, Andy Wood, Bon Scott and Jon Lord. And a very touching moment for Metallica’s Cliff Burton, as his father Ray Burton was in attendance rocking out onstage to the cover of Disposable Heroes, and a very special sing along wishing Ray Burton a Happy 92nd birthday.
Starting off the night were two songs off the Metal Allegiance album, Pledge of Allegiance and Can’t Kill the Devil following with twenty cover songs paying tribute to the fallen heroes in the metal community. With each song played there were artists changes that represent some of the great metal bands today. Joining the core members of David Ellefson, Alex Skolnick, Mike Menghi and Mike Portnoy were, Chris Jericho (Fozzy), Phil Demmel (Machine Head), Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Mark Osegueda (Death Angel), Chuck Billy (Testament), Billy Sheehan (Winery Dogs), Arejay Hale (Halestorm), Vinny Appice (Dio, Black Sabbath), Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest), Mike Inez (Alice In Chains), Mikkey Dee (Motörhead, Scorpions), Eddie Hermida (Suicide Silence), Carla Harvey (Butcher Babies), Gary Holt (Slayer, Exodus), Gus G (Firewind, Ozzy Osbourne), Marty Friedman (Solo Artist, Megadeth), I hope I didn’t miss anyone. Two and a half hours of pure metal, a metalhead’s dream. Closing the night with Seek & Destroy (Metallica Cover) as everyone that played throughout the night appeared on stage, tearing it up, enjoying the moment.
As I stated earlier Metal Allegiance Performing a Tribute to our Fallen Heroes was sought after by all media outlets, I was in group three and couldn’t be more thrilled with my group. One Iron Maiden cover and two Queen cover songs.
Murders in the Rue Morgue (Iron Maiden cover), with artists Chris Jericho (Fozzy), Alex Skolnick (Testament), Phil Demmel (Machine Head), Mark Menghi (Metal Allegiance), Mike Portnoy (Winery Dogs) and Charlie Benante (Anthrax).
Dragon Attack (Queen cover), with artists Chuck Billy (Testament), Alex Skolnick (Testament), Phil Demmel (Machine Head), Billy Sheehan (Winery Dogs), Mike Portnoy (Winery Dogs).
Stone Cold Crazy (Queen Cover), with artists Chris Jericho (Fozzy), Alex Skolnick (Testament), Phil Demmel (Machine Head), Billy Sheehan (Winery Dogs), Mike Portnoy (Winery Dogs).
One more for extra measure!
Space Truckin’ (Deep Purple cover) with artists Mark Osegueda (Death Angel), Chris Jericho (Fozzy), Alex Skolnick (Testament), Phil Demmel (Machine Head), Mark Menghi (Metal Allegiance), Mike Portnoy (Winery Dogs) and Arejay Hale (Halestorm).
You may find Metal Allegiance on Facebook or their website: www.metalallegiance.com
Metal Allegiance set list
Pledge of Allegiance
Can’t Kill the Devil
Suffragette City – David Bowie Cover
I Don’t Know – Ozzy Osbourne Cover
War Ensemble – Slayer Cover
5 Minutes Alone – Pantera Cover
Murders in The Rue Morgue – Iron Maiden Cover
Dragon Attack – Queen Cover
Stone Cold Crazy – Queen Cover
Emerald – Thin Lizzy Cover
Bonded by Blood – Exodus Cover
Disposable Heroes – Metallica Cover
Peace Sells – Megadeth Cover
Chloe Dancer – Mother Love Bone Cover
We Die Young – Alice In Chains Cover
Riff Raff – AC/DC Cover
Iron Fist – Motörhead Cover
Space Truckin’ – Deep Purple Cover
We Rock – Dio cover
Seek & Destroy – Metallica Cover
All photos by Tammy Greene
©2017. Please DO NOT copy or use without permission.
Martyrd:
Gus G:
Marty Friedman:
Metal Allegiance:
