Metal Allegiance paid tribute to a host of 'Fallen Heroes' in Anaheim on Friday night (20th January), with a special show that honoured some of rock and metal's biggest names. As well as featuring appearances by members of Megadeth, Machine Head, Testament and more, the show also featured a special guest in Ray Burton, father of late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton.
Photo: Joshua Miller For eonmusic.
By Eamon O'Neill on 28th January 2017.
Heavy collective Metal Allegiance paid tribute to a host of 'Fallen Heroes' in Anaheim, California on Friday night (20th January), with a special show that honoured some of rock and metal's biggest names. As well as featuring appearances by members of Megadeth, Machine Head, Testament and more, the show also featured a very special guest in Ray Burton, father of late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton.
Playing a show that honoured the passing of some of music's brightest names, Metal Allegiance's set varied in both style and pace, from thrash metal to funk, proto-grunge to classic rock.
Taking to the stage with a brace of tracks from their own 2015 self-titled release, it was David Bowie who was first to be honoured, with a faithful rendition of the Thin White Duke's 'Suffragette City'.
Greeting the crowd, singer Mark Osegueda said; "Thanks you for being here for this gathering of music. Tonight Metal Allegiance has a very special set." He continued; "We're going to celebrate our fallen idols; musicians who have inspired us across all genres. We're going to celebrate their legacy here."
Going on to play tracks by the likes of Iron Maiden ('Murders In The Rue Morgue', for Clive Burr), Ozzy Osbourne ('I Don't Know' for Randy Rhodes, featuring Chris Jericho and Machine Head's Phil Demmel), and Thin Lizzy ('Emerald', for Phil Lynott, featuring Testament's Chuck Billy and Alex Skolnick), the evening featured almost as many revered performers as it did celebrated songs.
As well as honouring musicians that they admired, some of the dedications on Metal Allegiance's set hit a little closer to home. Introducing Slayer's 'War Ensemble', guitarist Gary Holt said; "With this particular subject I'm not big on words. This is for Jeff Hanneman", in reference to the guitarist whom he had been filling in for at the time of his death.
Other guests to appear over the course of the evening included revered bass player Billy Sheehan, Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner, The Winery Dogs' Mike Portnoy, current Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Gus G, and guitarist Marty Friedman, who performed alongside his former Megadeth colleague David Elleffson for the first time in eighteen years.
Guest of honour for the night however was Ray Buton. The father of the late Metallica bassist brought with him not only fond memories of his son, but Cliff's black Aria Pro bass guitar, which was put to good use on a ferocious run through Metallica's 'Disposable Heroes'.
It wasn't all bombast however, and the biggest surprise of the evening came with a touching rendition of Mother Love Bone's 'Chloe Dancer', in memory of singer Andrew Wood. Featuring Anthrax's Charlie Benante on piano and Metal Allegiance's Mark Menghi on bass, it was the incredibly soulful vocals of Mark Osegueda that showcased just how talented and versatile the Death Angel singer really is.
Closing the night with a show stopping run through Metallica's Seek And Destroy featuring every musician that had appeared during the evening, Metal Allegiance took their bows on what had been a fantastic evening, and a fine salute to those passed.
Click on the images below to view our gallery. All shots by Joshua Miller exclusively for eonmusic.
Heavy collective Metal Allegiance paid tribute to a host of 'Fallen Heroes' in Anaheim, California on Friday night (20th January), with a special show that honoured some of rock and metal's biggest names. As well as featuring appearances by members of Megadeth, Machine Head, Testament and more, the show also featured a very special guest in Ray Burton, father of late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton.
Playing a show that honoured the passing of some of music's brightest names, Metal Allegiance's set varied in both style and pace, from thrash metal to funk, proto-grunge to classic rock.
Taking to the stage with a brace of tracks from their own 2015 self-titled release, it was David Bowie who was first to be honoured, with a faithful rendition of the Thin White Duke's 'Suffragette City'.
Greeting the crowd, singer Mark Osegueda said; "Thanks you for being here for this gathering of music. Tonight Metal Allegiance has a very special set." He continued; "We're going to celebrate our fallen idols; musicians who have inspired us across all genres. We're going to celebrate their legacy here."
Going on to play tracks by the likes of Iron Maiden ('Murders In The Rue Morgue', for Clive Burr), Ozzy Osbourne ('I Don't Know' for Randy Rhodes, featuring Chris Jericho and Machine Head's Phil Demmel), and Thin Lizzy ('Emerald', for Phil Lynott, featuring Testament's Chuck Billy and Alex Skolnick), the evening featured almost as many revered performers as it did celebrated songs.
As well as honouring musicians that they admired, some of the dedications on Metal Allegiance's set hit a little closer to home. Introducing Slayer's 'War Ensemble', guitarist Gary Holt said; "With this particular subject I'm not big on words. This is for Jeff Hanneman", in reference to the guitarist whom he had been filling in for at the time of his death.
Other guests to appear over the course of the evening included revered bass player Billy Sheehan, Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner, The Winery Dogs' Mike Portnoy, current Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Gus G, and guitarist Marty Friedman, who performed alongside his former Megadeth colleague David Elleffson for the first time in eighteen years.
Guest of honour for the night however was Ray Buton. The father of the late Metallica bassist brought with him not only fond memories of his son, but Cliff's black Aria Pro bass guitar, which was put to good use on a ferocious run through Metallica's 'Disposable Heroes'.
It wasn't all bombast however, and the biggest surprise of the evening came with a touching rendition of Mother Love Bone's 'Chloe Dancer', in memory of singer Andrew Wood. Featuring Anthrax's Charlie Benante on piano and Metal Allegiance's Mark Menghi on bass, it was the incredibly soulful vocals of Mark Osegueda that showcased just how talented and versatile the Death Angel singer really is.
Closing the night with a show stopping run through Metallica's Seek And Destroy featuring every musician that had appeared during the evening, Metal Allegiance took their bows on what had been a fantastic evening, and a fine salute to those passed.
Click on the images below to view our gallery. All shots by Joshua Miller exclusively for eonmusic.
