There is a new supergroup that is shaped stuffed with members of Alice in Chains, Anthrax, Metal Allegiance and Mastodon which might be overlaying a hard-hitting grunge period basic saluting a late icon all within the identify of charity. The group has been dubbed King Ultramega and so they’ve lined Soundgarden‘s “Rusty Cage” to boost funds for MusiCares.
The four-piece band taking up this basic contains Alice in Chains vocalist William DuVall, Mastodon guitarist Bill Kelliher, Metallic Allegiance bassist Mark Menghi and Anthrax and Pantera celebration drummer Charlie Benante. The track was combined by Josh Wilbur.
“Rusty Cage” is simply the primary providing from King Ultramega, because the plan is to characteristic totally different musicians on every King Ultramega single that can have fun the musical genius of the late Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell. Every providing will elevate vital funds and supply consciousness of the MusiCares group that has been backed by the Recording Academy to supply psychological well being and habit restoration companies.
Take a take heed to the primary King Ultramega single, “Rusty Cage,” beneath.
King Ultramega, “Rusty Cage”
king ultramega press photograph
About King Ultramega’s “Rusty Cage” Cowl
The four-piece for this specific monitor actually embraced the problem offered. DuVall says of the duvet, “I simply leaned into my love for the track and my immense respect for Chris. For the reason that instrumental monitor Invoice, Charlie and Mark despatched hewed so carefully to the unique, I believed it finest for me to remain in that ballpark as effectively.”
He added, “My cause for taking part was merely taking up an attention-grabbing problem when a lot of the world was shut down. I had no ideas or ambitions for this past our posting it on social media 5 years in the past. But when this launch may also help additional the great work carried out by MusiCares, then I’m all for it.”
“Chris Cornell’s voice and presence meant a lot to so many, together with all of us at MusiCares. He and his family members have lengthy championed the significance of our work, and it’s deeply significant to see his legacy proceed by means of a venture that brings connection, consciousness, and hope to the music neighborhood,” added Theresa Wolters, Interim Govt Director and VP of Well being & Human Providers at MusiCares who’re the charitable associate for the track.
How Did King Ultramega Come Collectively?
Bassist Mark Menghi, who additionally served because the producer and the driving power behind the venture, mentioned of King Ultramega, “There’s not a singular second in time that led to this venture. It was a path of occasions that led to the formation of King Ultramega and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a era.”
The concept began in 2020 through the pandemic when Menghi recorded a model of “Rusty Cage” together with his buddies. That led him to develop the concept to incorporate different musicians whereas paying tribute to the works of Chris Cornell.
“I saved crossing the psychological roadblock of ‘you might be coming into uncharted waters, are you certain you wanna do that?'” Menghi displays. “Chris is a kind of dudes when you cowl, you higher do it justice.”
The selection of artist to pay homage to was additionally not random. Menghi shares, “I went by means of some very troublesome instances in my life. I shouldn’t be right here proper now, however I’m. I wish to suppose my previous trials and tribulations helped me perceive Chris just a bit, therefore the formation of King Ultramega.”
Who Else Has Recorded Underneath the King Ultramega Moniker?
Whereas DuVall, Benante and Kelliher be a part of Menghi on “Rusty Cage,” further choices from King Ultramega will characteristic a bigger solid of musicians. Amongst them is definitely Soundgarden’s personal Kim Thayil.
“As soon as Kim received concerned and re-recorded one in all his personal songs, I knew one thing was brewing,” says Menghi. Thayil added, “I’m tremendous honored to report alongside all of the superb musicians showing on the King Ultramega venture. I’m equally proud that it celebrates Soundgarden on this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Extremely-admirably, everybody’s participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Basis.”
READ MORE: Chris Cornell Changed Bandmate’s Mind About Rock Hall Induction
Others who’ve additionally participated embrace Joe Satriani, Alissa White-Gluz and Kenny Aronoff.
“Every musician has their very own particular person musical stamp,” Menghi explains. “You hear the very best of every one in all them. You’re speaking about musicians who helped invent and form musical genres and helped outline their generations in widespread tradition, not simply music, however society as an entire.”
Along with Soundgarden, King Ultramega can also be pulling from Cornell’s Audioslave, Temple of the Dog and solo profession materials.
Should you like what you heard, the King Ultramega version of “Rusty Cage” is at present accessible by means of a number of platforms.
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Gallery Credit score: Chad Childers