METAL ALLEGIANCE
STARLAND BALLROOM
SEPTEMBER 6, 2024
Special thanks to Metal Mayhem ROC co-host Metal Walt and show reviewer Vince McDowell, who attended as credited press for the event.
The Starland Ballroom was the setting for the east coast tenth anniversary show of Metal Allegiance. The revolving cast of all-star heavy metal musicians formed by the “Core Four” group of founder and bassist Mark Menghi, bassist Dave Ellefson (formerly of Megadeth), guitarist Alex Skolnick (Testament), and drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater). Rounding out tonight’s show of heavy metal luminaries were singer John Bush (Armored Saint, ex-Anthrax), bassist and singer Troy Sanders (Mastodon), guitarist Doc Coyle (Bad Wolves & God Forbid), and shredding guitarist Dave Davidson (Revocation).
The band meant business opening with their crushing Testament-inspired songs “The Accuser” and “Bound By Silence” from their excellent release Power Drunk Majesty, Vol II. John Bush handled the vocals for the first four songs including the first cover of the night, and Bush’s self-proclaimed favorite era of Ronnie James Dio career, Rainbow’s “Kill the King”. Dave Ellefson made his first appearance to perform Anthrax’s “Room For One More” as the crowd sang along in full force.
Troy Sanders, adorned in a killer Primus jacket, took the stage and the first mosh pit of the night opened up to two M.A. originals “Liars & Thieves” and “Let Darkness Fall”. “As many times as I have been on stage with this band this is the first time they are letting me play bass” Troy joked as they laid into his band Mastodon classic “Blood and Thunder.” “Name any Kiss song and I can sing it” Troy stated before the band barreled into “Parasite”. Troy sang the praises of Dave Ellefson professing that he was one of the reasons he took up the bass as the band erupted into Megadeth’s “Wake Up Dead”. John Bush returned to handle dual vocals with Troy on M.A’s “Dying Song” from their first album Metal Allegiance.
Alex Skolnick’s talent was on full display all night, even more so as he effortlessly handled the monstrous Michael Schenker guitar solo from UFO’s “Lights Out”. John led the crowd into another of his Anthrax era songs “Only” and Iron Maiden’s “Prowler”. The show wouldn’t have been complete without a Metallica song and brought the only flub of the night as Menghi’s instrument cut out during the mid-song bass bridge, pausing what was an on fire rendition of “Metal Militia”.
The band harkened back to its origin with Motorhead’s “Iron Fist” as M.A.s first appearance was on the Motörboat cruise which was also one of the last live shows of Lemmy’s career. The band closed out with their call-to-arms “Pledge of Allegiance” from their album Metal Allegiance.
Alex stated that this was the first performance of this formation of the band in New Jersey and that given the response they received from the boisterous crowd they would definitely be returning. It was a great night of musicianship and classic covers that the Metal Allegiance shows have been known for and tonight was an empathic addition to that reputation. Metal Allegiance shows don’t happen very often so if you get your chance and you love heavy metal music make it a priority to go and see this awesome collection of talent do what they do best.
MMROC Correspondent- Vince McDowell
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