There is a new supergroup that is shaped stuffed with members of Alice in Chains, Anthrax, Metallic Allegiance and Mastodon which can be protecting a hard-hitting grunge period traditional saluting a late icon all within the identify of charity. The group has been dubbed King Ultramega they usually’ve lined Soundgarden’s “Rusty Cage” to boost funds for MusiCares.

The four-piece band taking up this traditional contains Alice in Chains vocalist William DuVall, Mastodon guitarist Invoice Kelliher, Metallic Allegiance bassist Mark Menghi and Anthrax and Pantera celebration drummer Charlie Benante.

“Rusty Cage” is simply the primary providing from King Ultramega, because the plan is to function completely different musicians on every King Ultramega single that can have fun the musical genius of the late Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell. Every providing will increase important funds and supply consciousness of the MusiCares group that has been backed by the Recording Academy to offer psychological well being and habit restoration providers.

Take a take heed to the primary King Ultramega single, “Rusty Cage,” beneath.

King Ultramega, “Rusty Cage”

About King Ultramega’s “Rusty Cage” Cowl

The four-piece for this explicit monitor actually embraced the problem offered. DuVall says of the quilt, “I simply leaned into my love for the tune and my immense respect for Chris. Because the instrumental monitor Invoice, Charlie and Mark despatched hewed so carefully to the unique, I believed it greatest for me to remain in that ballpark as effectively.”

He added, “My cause for collaborating was merely taking up an fascinating 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 nice work executed 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 a undertaking that brings connection, consciousness, and hope to the music neighborhood,” added Theresa Wolters, Interim Govt Director and VP of Well being & Human Companies at MusiCares who’re the charitable accomplice for the tune.

How Did King Ultramega Come Collectively?

Bassist Mark Menghi, who additionally served because the producer and the driving drive behind the undertaking, stated of King Ultramega, “There may be not a singular second in time that led to this undertaking. 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 technology.”

The concept began in 2020 through the pandemic when Menghi recorded a model of “Rusty Cage” along with his pals. That led him to increase the thought to incorporate different musicians whereas paying tribute to the works of Chris Cornell.

“I stored crossing the psychological roadblock of ‘you might be getting into uncharted waters, are you certain you wanna do that?'” Menghi displays. “Chris is a type of dudes for those who cowl, you higher do it justice.”

The selection of artist to pay homage to was additionally not random. Menghi shares, “I went by some very tough 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,” extra choices from King Ultramega will function a bigger forged of musicians. Amongst them is definitely Soundgarden’s personal Kim Thayil.

“As soon as Kim acquired 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 document alongside all of the superb musicians showing on the King Ultramega undertaking. 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 Modified Bandmate’s Thoughts About Rock Corridor 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 best possible of every one in all them. You might be speaking about musicians who helped invent and form musical genres and helped outline their generations in well-liked 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 Canine and solo profession materials.

In the event you like what you heard, the King Ultramega model of “Rusty Cage” is at the moment out there by a number of platforms.