Metal Allegiance is almost too good to be true. For the uninitiated, it’s a Thrash Dream Team, formed in 2014 by Mark Menghi, pulling in all-stars from over two dozen Metal bands. To call it a supergroup would be accurate, but even that doesn’t quite do it justice. It’s become an institution.
In its ten years of existence, MA has released two albums of originals and covers, and done a surprising number of shows. A sampling of its prime crew took the stage at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA on January 26, 2024 to celebrate the band’s 10th anniversary.
Any time you have Chuck Billy, Bobby Blitz, John Bush, Alex Skolnick, Gary Holt, David Ellefson, Mike Portnoy, et al on stage together, you feel like some referee is going to throw a flag for too many greats at once. John Bush was first at the revolving door microphone, but soon enough tapped in Chuck Billy of Testament, followed by Bobby Blitz of Overkill, and Troy Sanders of Mastodon, each taking turns and sometimes teaming up.
Those marquee names are just the tip of the iceberg; the evening also featured Brann Dailor (Mastodon), Andreas Kisser (Sepultura), Chris Poland (Kings of Thrash), Mark Menghi (Metal Allegiance founder), Mia Wallace (Nervosa), Chris Dova (Testament), and my apologies to the others I didn’t mention.
When you have a superfriends assembly like that, the music could almost become secondary - - but that was not the case at the House of Blues. The guitars and vocals were loud and heavy, no one phoned it in, no one played below 10. They trotted out some of the MA originals, which certainly spun the moshpit, but it was really the covers that made the night.
The singers on-hand each fronted classics and deep cuts from their own back catalogs.
“The Preacher.” With Testament members Chuck Billy, Alex Skolnick, and Chris Dovas onstage, they pulled this surprise from the “New World Order” album. There are many, many other Testament songs I would have requested before this one, but it was still a blast to hear, and it sounded great.
“Wrecking Crew.” Not quite as tight as when you hear Overkill play it, but Blitz delivered the vocals with every ounce of his usual gasoline. This is an Overkill classic, so no surprise that they selected it. “Powersurge” would have absolutely slayed, though. Just sayin’.
“Blood and Thunder.” A sensible choice from Mastodon’s heavy old days, with Brann Dailor on drums and Troy Sanders at the microphone. The pit was fired up.
“Only.” OK, this was a spot-on choice for John Bush to sing from his time in Anthrax.
Some of the other cover song highlights:
“Rapid Fire.” It was unbelievable to hear Blitz, Bush, and Billy trade off on one of Judas Priest’s ultimate classics.
“Hellraiser.” The Lemmy/Ozzy collaboration from “No More Tears” sounded powerful as hell in MA’s hands.
“Wake Up Dead.” With David Ellefson and Chris Poland - - two of the former Megadeth members who’d recorded it - - plus Troy Sanders on vocals and Brann Dailor on drums, this was perfection. Possibly one of the greatest live Thrash songs of all time.
And the encore:
“Damage, Inc.” Chuck Billy faked his way a little bit through the verses, but no one raised an eyebrow. His voice was made for this song, and the band’s performance of Metallica at their heaviest was fucking stellar.
“Iron Maiden.” This was the final song of the night, and they brought every single member out to jam it - - including Brann Dailor and Mike Portnoy on both drum kits. Well - - everyone except Bobby Blitz, who was apparently standing sidestage. Chuck Billy kept calling him to come out and join the gang, but you’re never gonna get a Jersey guy to do something if he doesn’t feel like it.
Chuck Billy faked the lyrics on Iron Maiden. . . again. . . but again, it worked out fine. No points deducted - - especially because A. John Bush delivered flawlessly, and B. based on what the band said, this was a last-minute choice. And it made a hell of an outro.
A Metal Allegiance show has got to be a logistical nightmare to spin up, especially with so many moving parts, so if you ever get the opportunity, then do not pass it up. This is about as fun as Thrash gets.
Metal Allegiance setlist
The Accuser
Bound By Silence
Can't Kill the Devil
Gift of Pain
Hellraiser
Rapid Fire
Wrecking Crew
Wake Up Dead
Liars & Thieves
Let Darkness Fall
Mother of Sin
Kill the King
The Preacher
Blood and Thunder
Only
Pledge of Allegiance
Encore:
Damage, Inc.
Iron Maiden
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