Heavy metal is more than a genre, more than an attitude and certainly more than whatever cheap epithets are dismissively thrown at it by clueless critics. At its best, metal is a lifestyle, a community, a tribe uniting people across cultural, economic and philosophical divides with the primal pulse of bombastic and majestic expression.
Metal Allegiance has announced they will release a special EP, entitledFallen Heroes, onAugust 12, 2016. The band united to pay homage to the 3 legends -Lemmy Kilmister,David Bowie, andGlenn Frey- whoimpacted not just their lives but the world as well.
"The end of 2015 and most of 2016 has been a brutal year with many of our heroes passing," commentsMark Menghi."WhenPortnoycalled me in January to alert me thatGlenn Freyhad passed, I literally broke down. That night after having a few Tequila Sunrises inGlenn's honor, a lightbulb went off! We're going to record a few tunes to honor our fallen heroes. I called back Mike that evening and asked him what he thought and the next day we were in the studio recording. By weeks end, all guitars, drums and bass were complete. I can't begin to explain the influence thatGlenn Frey,Lemmy, andDavid Bowiehad on me. Each of their music has helped me immensely during some real dark periods of my life and not to mention their influence on me as a musician and songwriter.Lemmyis God,Glennis King andDavidis the Architect."
Alex Skolnickcomments: "These brilliant artists have an extensivecatalogue that is sometimes on the softer side (with the exception ofMotörhead, of course). So when it came toThe Eagles&Bowie,we specifically chose tunes of theirs that are riff-basedand translatable to high energy arrangements. ForLemmy, we immediately crossed out "Ace of Spades" (great tune but the last thing the world needs is yet another cover version) and chose "Iron Fist," which we already had a good handle on from playing live and to us is every bit as much a signatureMotörheadtune."
"I'm really excited to be a part of theFallen HeroesEP" commentsAlissa White-Gluz."I think we have all felt the weight of losing so many great musicians this year. I think these songs are a cool way to pay tribute to a few people who contributed so much to the world of music and showcase a different side of ourselves."
Recorded atConclave Studiosin New York City,Fallen Heroeswasproduced byMark MenghiandAlex Skolnick. The album was mixed byJay Rustonin Los Angeles, CA andmastered atSterling SoundNew York City byTed Jensen. Theinitial sketch of the artwork was created byMark MenghiandStephen Thompson (Anthrax)and was later finalized byMarcelo Vasco (Slayer).
Below is the track list forFallen Heroes:
1.Iron Fistfeaturing Troy Sanders
2.Suffragette Cityfeaturing Mark Osegueda
3.Life In The Fast Lanefeaturing Alissa White-Gluz
· Guitar: Alex Skolnick
· Bass: Mark Menghi
· Drums: Mike Portnoy
Metal Allegiancetook the news ofLemmy's passing very hard as the bands very first gig was onMotörhead's first Motörboat cruise.It was on that boat where the idea to write a record together and carry theMAflag as a brand/band rather than a sporadic, special event show! all of us inMAare humbly grateful for the opportunity that teamMotörheadgave us.
In late 2015, the band scheduled a West Coast string of intimate club dates with a stop as the world-famous Whisky A Go-Go. The year concluded with the band heartbroken saying goodbye to their beloved friend. They later found out that his funeral and memorial services would be held the day of their performance. The band was asked by their tour agent who is alsoMotörhead's agent,Lemmy's management, close friends of his, and the owner of the Rainbow & Whisky to incorporate a tribute which of course, they obliged. The day of their performance, Sunset Blvd. was shut down and their bus was parked on a street filled with tears, madness, partiers and a sea of mourning metal heads. They said goodbye to their friend that evening with help fromMotörheaddrummerMikkey Dee amongst a ton of other special guests.
The next day theyplayed their final show at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco. Mid-set they were informed thatDavid Bowiehad passed.Mark Menghicomments, "I remember coming off stage to trade bass duties withDavid Ellefson(we would rotate songs) and he stopped me, looked me andOseguedain the eyes and said "Dude,Bowiejust passed away." Literally in mid-set we got that news. I looked atMarkand he was in tears. Not even a minute later, he was on stage telling the Bay area crowd of the news he just learned. I turned to the side and looked over atMike Portnoyand he just had his head down with his hands over his head trying to comprehend whatMarkwas saying. The next few songs was ourLemmytribute and tears rolled off all of our eyes while paying tribute to one while learning of the passing of another."
Metal Allegiancemake their UK live debut at Bloodstock onAugust 14th.
About Metal Allegiance:
Stemming from an initial idea in 2011,Metal Allegiancewas born as a way to unite a collection of hard rock and heavy metal's most notable musicians in a setting born under one ideal- a love of music and performing. In 2015, that ideal still holds true and has become the foundation for everythingMetal Allegiance; furthered with the release of the upcoming debut album. While the lineup may change, the passion, the energy and the emotion all remain the same.Metal Allegiance is more than just a record or a concert, it's an experience and a lifestyle.
