“Mark is kind of like the Brian Epstein of the band,” says Portnoy. “He's the behind-the-scenes mastermind who put the whole thing together. When we began this as a live covers thing, he was the guy moving the chess pieces. When we decided to make original music, he became a huge creative element as a songwriter, as well.”
Together, they unleashed debut album with the same title, Metal Allegiance. Ten songs being released with multiple vocalist join the stage, ranging from D.Randall Blythe, Troy Sanders to Phillip Anselmo to Tim "The Ripper" Owen.
The first song "Gift Of Pain" is in death metal spirit. D. Randall Blythe delivered a "smooth" scream vocal. It is curious to see how David Ellefson find more spirit than his M-deth allegiance. Mike Portnoy surely has enough fun with all the prog - death drumming. "Let Darkness Fall" is more prog-stoner metal feel. It got some kick ass riff through all the song, best for a good headbanging session. A bass solo in the interlude is most welcome. "Can't Kill The Devil" is finally a song that can be identified with one of the member's band, Testament. Chuck Billy sing in the style of Testament of the The Soul of Black era and the song also representing that particular nostalgic element. Actually, most of the song try to match the singer with his/her style, or vice versa. Most notable is "Triangulum" epic which is divided to three movements. The band recreate most precise the thrash metal era in '80, almost Metallica - Ride the Lightning vibes. It's in instrumental setting with many guest guitarist join the party. The last song dedicated to the master of heavy metal, Dio. It is "We Rock" with six vocalist trying to lift up the song.
Metal Allegiance is awesome album with lot of muscular guitar riffs in front. The main style is thrash metal, followed by some Portnoy progressive metal drumming. The good news also, they represent much of the older guys music, in other words the '80s style of thrash metal. Fans of each musician will not upset because their heroes are exactly playing in what they expected to. Fantastic album created by , who again, Mark Menghi!
Metal Harem class : ********* eight stars out of ten
Metal Allegiance - Metal Allegiance (2015)
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01. Gift Of Pain
Vocals: D. Randall Blythe
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Guest Guitars: Gary Holt
02. Let Darkness Fall
Vocals: Troy Sanders
Lead, Rhythm & Acoustic Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums & Percussion: Mike Portnoy
Guest Bass: Mark Menghi & Rex Brown
Screams: D. Randall Blythe
03. Can't Kill The Devil
Vocals: Chuck Billy
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Guest Guitars: Phil Demmel & Andreas Kisser
04. Dying Song
Vocals: Philip H. Anselmo
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: Mark Menghi
Drums: Mike Portnoy
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
Guest Guitars: 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
8. Triangulum I. Creation Ii. Evolution Iii. Destruction (instrumental)
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Guest Guitars: 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
Guest Guitars: 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
Guest Guitars: Andreas Kisser, Phil Demmel & Gary Holt
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