Tag Archives: Alex Skolnick

Metal Allegiance (David Ellefson, Mark Menghi, Alex Skolnick, Mike Portnoy) Book Their Annual Los Angeles Area Show Around NAMM

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Metal Allegiance is entering their second decade together, and unlike most other metal supergroups or collaborations, Metal Allegiance continues stronger – and heavier – than ever. Beginning as a celebration of heavy metal, Metal Allegiance is powered by the almost tribal bond shared between the extreme music community’s most revered trailblazers, armed with a list of contributors onstage (and off) that read like a Wikipedia entry on the genre itself –whose “core 4” is comprised of David Ellefson, Mark Menghi, Alex Skolnick, and Mike Portnoy. On Thursday, January 23, 2025, the band – which in addition to the core 4, will also include Chuck Billy (Testament), Bobby Blitz (Overkill), John Bush (Armored Saint), Doc Coyle (Bad Wolves & God Forbid), Brandon Ellis (The Black Dahlia Murder), Marty Friedman, Gary Holt (Slayer / Exodus), Andreas Kisser (Sepultura), Jeff Loomis, Mark Tornillo (Accept), Angel Vivaldi and more – will perform at what has become an annual event for the band at the House of Blues (400 Disney Way) in Anaheim, CA. Continue reading →


CLASSIC ALBUMS REVISITED: Lamb of God – Ashes of the Wake 20th Anniversary

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On August 31 Lamb of God’s Ashes of the Wake (Epic Records) officially turns twenty. I was still in highschool and vividly remember stopping by Bullmoose Records in Salem, New Hampshire to pick up my copy. But that’s not to say that those were simpler times.Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Imperial Triumphant – Spirit of Ecstasy

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When the death metal scene blew up in the early nineties, it was exciting to watch fresh new blood delivering a much-needed kick up the backside to many lethargic established acts. However, with little room for growth and proliferation of bands all covering the same ground, stagnation, and panic soon set in. Just as their predecessors had found, forward-thinking and experimentation were often frowned upon while the alternative was perceived as merely playing safe or laziness. It was survival of the fittest in a catch-22 situation and the fans were a fickle and unforgiving judge.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Sepultura – Sepulquarta

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Not content with sitting on their hands, Brazilian thrashers Sepultura decided early on during the Coronavirus Lockdown to do something constructive with their new found spare time. After touring plans for their current record were cut short by the pandemic, the band contacted seemingly everybody in the world of metal and proceeded to embark upon Sepulquarta (Nuclear Blast), a live album recorded with each member in isolation.

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Mike Portnoy, Dee Snider, Chris Jericho, Ray Luzier, John Moyer, and More to Raise Money for The David Z Foundation Livestream Tonight

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Stars from across Rock and Metal will join together on a livestream to raise money tonight on the David Z Foundation Livestream. David Z (David Zablidowsky) was the brilliant metal and progressive rock musician best known for his work in bands such as Adrenaline Mob, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and ZO2, died three years ago on July 17th, 2017 when a tractor-trailer collided with Adrenaline Mob’s tour bus. Check out the updated poster from Mike Portnoy’s tweet below. You can donate at the GoFundM link below and watch the live stream including artists ranging from Mike Portnoy, Dee Snider, Chris Jericho, Ray Luzier (Korn), John Moyer (Disturbed) Rikki Rockett, Don Dokken, Richie Kotzen, Billy Sheehan, Jeff Scott Soto, Carmine Appice, Eddie Trunk, Marco Mendoza, Joel Hoekstra, Tiffany, John Pooper, Alex Skolnik, Charlie Benante, Dug Pinnick, Ra Diaz and more! Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Testament – Titans Of Creation

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Whenever the time-honoured, if ultimately pointless “if it had been a Big Five…” question raises its ugly head, Bay Area bruisers Testament always find themselves at the forefront of the conversation. Even alongside names such as Exodus, Overkill, and Kreator, such is their… ahem, legacy (sorry), it’s not uncommon to find them as one of the top two preferred choices.Continue reading →


CONCERT REVIEW: Testament – Exodus – Death Angel: Live at Bristol 02 Academy

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It’s a little surprising to discover that, despite having known each other for over thirty years, Testament, Exodus, and Death Angel; three leading lights of the Bay Area thrash metal scene have never actually been on the road together before. Dubbed “The Bay Strikes Back”, the first UK date of this neck-snapping triple bill is located, rather appropriately, near the water. Okay, the Bristol Channel might not be the Pacific Ocean, and the Clifton Suspension Bridge might not be quite as impressive as the Golden Gate Bridge, but you can’t have everything now can you.Continue reading →


Metal Allegiance Live At The Van Buren

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Metal and rock Supergroup Metal Allegiance kicked off their 5th-anniversary tour last month with a slamming show at The Van Buren, in Phoenix Arizona. Presented by the Murder In The Front Row movie and Loudwire featured the core members – David Ellefson, Mark Menghi, Mike Portnoy, and Alex Skolnick – sharing the stage with Chuck Billy (Testament), John Bush (Armored Saint), and Phil Demmel (Machine Head). Also returning to the MA live show ranks after a three-year hiatus, vocalist/bassist Troy Sanders (Mastodon). Each night of the mini-tour offered a unique experience as with any MA gig. Tonight they were joined by local legends Max Cavalera (Soulfly), as well as members of Sacred Reich and Flotsam and Jetsam. It was a dream come true for music fans, and hopefully a harbinger of more shows to come! Check out this video recap of the tour and our photo set!Continue reading →


Metal Allegiance To Celebrate Their Fifth Anniversary with Four Shows Next Month

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As we previously reported, Thrash Metal supergroup Metal Allegiance will celebrate five years as a band next month, and now will party up with fans at four west coast shows! Presented by Murder In The Front Row and Loudwire will feature the core four members – David Ellefson, Mark Menghi, Mike Portnoy, and Alex Skolnick – sharing the stage with Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT), John Bush (Armored Saint), and Phil Demmel (Machine Head) and returning to the MA live show ranks after a three year hiatus, Grammy Award-winning vocalist/bassist Troy Sanders (Mastodon). Each night will offer a unique experience as with any Metal Allegiance show, you never know who will drop by to join the festivities. For the April 17th show in Phoenix, the band will be joined by Max Cavalera (Soulfly), the April 20th show in San Francisco will include Steve “Zetro” Souza (Exodus) and Gary Holt (Slayer/Exodus). Opening the four nights are Superfix and Weapons Of Anew.

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Metal Allegiance To Live Stream Their Concert In Anaheim Tonight!

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Metal supergroup Metal Allegiance will live stream tonight’s all-star concert at House of Blues Anaheim. Click the link below for the stream at 9:30 PM PST. Metal Allegiance is doing another set of Black Sabbath songs, as they did n Brooklyn last fall, as well as their own hits and covers. Metall Allegiance II – Power Drunk Majesty is out now via Nuclear Blast. You can also check out the two interviews we did with the band discussing all things Metal Allegiance! Continue reading →