Join the “Metal Allegiance”

Supergroup Metal Allegiance united during NAMM week at the HOB in Anaheim to celebrate metal music with a live performance. This all-star collaboration comprises one of the strongest metal foundations ever formed. Every MA show is completely different, but fans can count on the lineup to be epic.

NAMM Week is the perfect time for their annual show. All the best musicians are in town for the infamous music conventions along with all the gear companies who endorse them. This year’s event was sponsored by Jackson Guitars, Charvel, and EVH Amps.

Conceived in 2014, The four core members are Mike Portnoy (drums), David Ellefson (bass), Alex Skolnick (guitar), and Mark Menghi (bass). No, that’s not a typo, there are two bass players actually, there’s more, but these two provided the backbone for the majority of the songs.

This is a real band and not just an all-star jam or project. They write, rehearse, and record together, rather than sending recordings back and forth like many projects do. MA has released two albums together. Power Drunk Majesty, the self-titled Metal Allegiance, plus an EP entitled Fallen Heroes.

This is the biggest, baddest, bitchinest collaboration ever to hit the stage. In addition to the core 4 members, the band also includes the killer voices of the most talented metal vocalists and guitarists alive.

All the drums for the night were handled by main man, Mike Portnoy. The dude’s known for his groovy patterns, odd-time signature, linear drum fills, and many years playing in his progressive metal band Dream Theater.

The night kicked off with an original song entitled “Pledge of Allegiance” with John Bush (Armored Saint) and his strong as-an-ox lead vocals, backing vocals, and shredding guitar courtesy of the one and only Alex Skolnick of Testament. It didn’t take more than 30 seconds for the crowd to know they were in for a killer night.

Each time they perform, their set list is different and includes originals, songs from bands they’ve played in plus tunes from the bands that have inspired them. They even did a Van Halen song with Skolnick wailing EVH style on a red and white guitar that resembled Eddie’s infamous Frankenstrat.

Mark Tornillo of Accept sang “Fast as a Shark” and Troy Sanders of Mastodon sang several songs including “Liars and Thieves” and “Light up the Sky”. Derrick Green of Sepultura sang “Territory” and Bobby Blitz did a kick-ass version of “Wang Dang Sweet Poon Tang”!

Gary Holt from Exodus and Jeff Loomis of Arch Enemy, Andreas Kisser of Sepultura were among the talented guitarists to destroy the stage.

The band surprised the crowd by bringing out Female singer Alissa White Gluz of Arch Enemy and guitarist Alyssa Day of the Iron Maidens and Mindscar for a few songs. AWG sang Symphony of Destruction with Ellefson on bass and then she introduced Marty Friedman to the stage.

Friedman was well received by the crowd and went wild with Judas Priest’s “Dissident Aggressor” followed by Iron Maiden’s “Killers” sung by John Bush some rad deep cuts injected into the present moment are always appreciated by true metal fans.

The legendary Bobby Blitz and vocal master Mark Tornillo killed it with their rendition of “War Pigs” and Robert Trujillo snuck away from Metallica to play bass on it.

Wicked

The final song of the night had all the musicians on stage playing “Iron Fist” a very fitting way to end the night with a Motorhead song.

If you ever have the chance to see them live, go it’s such a fun experience. You can tell they are having a blast and are incredibly bonded by their love of music. You must witness it for yourself no words could ever describe it. Join the Allegiance!

Also on the bill was California-based band OTTO, whom I would like to see again. They have a unique sound, funk-infused metal with some thrash to spice it up. They are young and talented and I predict a great career for them, not only because they are talented, but because they are connected. Bassist Tye Trujillo is the son of Robert Trujillo who we all know from Metallica. Expect big things from these guys.

Opening the show was Wicked from Upstate New York, a band with an arena stage show complete with choreographed moves and a coordinated wardrobe that brings you back to a time when bands put on a rehearsed show. High energy and having fun, Wicked rocked the stage with everything they had. You can easily tell by watching them that they enjoy playing live. Wicked bill themselves as the last American rock band. They remind me of bands like Poison or Stryper without the religious influence. They put a modern twist on the music from back in the day. They’ll be no doubt, hitting the road sooner than later. Wicked is: Frontman/rhythm guitarist Chad Michael, lead axe man Scotty V, bassist Danny Doll and drummer Gunnar Coston.