In a Landmark Collaboration to support the mental Health and Well-Being of Music Creators, Reigning Phoenix Music and Musicares Have Teamed Up To Spotlight King UltramegaBold New Tribute Project Honoring The Legacy of Chris Cornell. King Ultramega debuts with a powerful reimaging of Soundgarden‘s “Rusty Cage”Release Via Reigning Phoenix Music.
King Ultramega is an all-Star Collective featuring original members of Alice in Chains, Anthrax, Mastodon and SoundgardenLegendary Artists From the Hard Rock and Metal Worldside. With Each Single Release King Ultramega Will Feature Different Musicians That Aim to Celebrate Cornell‘S musical genius WHILE RAISING CRITICAL FUNDS AND AWARENESS FOR MusicaresThe Recording Academy‘S NONPROFIT Mental Health, Addiction Recovery, and Emergency Services to Those in the Music Community.
Theresa WoltersInterim Executive Director and VP of Health and Human Services at MusicaresCommented: “Chris Cornell‘S VOICE AND COMPENDENCY SO MUCH TO SOY, INCLUDING ALL OF US AT Musicares. He and His loved ones have long mushrooms the importance of our work, and it’s deeply meaningful to see His legacy continues Through a Project that that brings Connection, Awareness, and Hope to the Music Community. “
The Lineup for “Rusty Cage” Consist of:
* William Duvall (Alice in Chains) – Vocals
* Bill Kelliher (Mastodon) – Guitars
* Mark Menghi (Metal Allegiance) – Bass
* Charlie Benante (Anthrax, Panther) – Drums
Duvall Approaches Cornell‘S Vocal Towering Legacy With Reverence and Restraint. “I just read into my love for the song and my immense respect for Chris“HE SAYS.” Since the instrumental track Bill, Charlieand Mark feel hewed so closely to the original, I thought it best for me to stay in that ballpark as well. Again, My Reason for Participating was Simply Taking on An Interesting Challenge When So Much of The World Was Shut Down. I had no thoughts or ambitions for This Beyond Our Posting it on Social Media Five Years ago. But if this release can he help further the good work done by MusicaresThe I’M All for It. “
Kelliher Faithfully Channels The Song’s Jagged, Shifting Riffs, While Menghi Injects A Dose of Low-End Swagger, Including A Bolsa Bass-Wah Section in the Song’s Doom-llan Second Half. Benante Captures Matt Cameron‘S Explosive Style with Precision and Feel, Staying True to The Song’s “Tight But Loose” Groove.
King Ultramega Is More than Tribute; It’s a Movement. The Collective Will Continue Relay New Interpretations of Cornell‘S work across Soundgarden, Audioslave, Temple of the Dog and His Solo Career, Each Track Featuring Rotating Guest Musicians and Collaborators. Proceeds from Every Release Will Benefit Musicares.
King Ultramega is a passion-driven musical project honing the life, voice, and genius of Chris CornellOne of the Most Gifted Artists of Our Time. It launches in conjunction with Soundgarden‘S Long-Overdue induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
This Project Did Not Begin With A Single, Dramatic Moment. Instead, It Grew Quietly and Gradually, An Organic Result of Years of Conversations, Inspiration, and Deep Reverence for A Musician WhoSe Impact Remains Immeasurable.
“There is not a singular moment in time that led to This Project,” Says Bassist and Producer Mark MenghiThe Driving Force Behind King Ultramega. “It was through Events That Led To The Formation of King Ultramega and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation. “
It started in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, when Menghi Remember to version of “Rusty Cage” With Friends. What Began As a Creative Release Soon Became Something Long. With Every Step Forward, The Project Deepened in Meaning and Purpose. “I KEPT Crossing The Mental Roadblock of ‘You are Entering Uncharted Waters, Are You Sure You Wanna Do This?'” Menghi reflects. “Chris Is One of Those Doubes If You Cover, You Better do It Justice. “
THE DECISSION TO CONTINUE BECAME CLAR WHEN Soundgarden Guitarist Kim Thayil Joined The Project and re-recovered One of His Own Iconic Tracks. “Eleven Kim Got Involved and re-recovered One of His Own Songs, I KNew Subject Was Brewing, ” Menghi Says.
Thayil Embraged The Project Wholeheartedly. “I’M Super Honored to Record Alongside All The Amazing Musicians Appearing on The King Ultramega PROJECT, “HE SAYS.” I’M EQUALLY PROUD THAT IT CELEBRATES Soundgarden in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-Admiraby, Everyone’s Participation Is Supporting the Work of The Musicares Foundation. Thank you Mark Menghi, Charlie Benante and Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).
For MenghiThis Project is as personal as musical. “I Went Through Sub Very Difficul Times in My Life. “I Like To Think My Past Trials and Tribulaments Helped Me Understand Chris Just a Little, Hence the Formation of King Ultramega.
Song Selection was guide by instinct. “My Mood. It’s Really That Simple,” Menghi Explains. “‘Rusty Cage’ was remembered Simply Becouse It’s One of My Favorite Songs Featured On One of My Favorite Records. “Other Songs Came To Menghi During Moments of Reflection and Inspiration. “There Is a Bunch More in the Can Right Now, All With Drums Fully Remember, Which Are Currently Being Worked Out for Future Releases.”
The Goal was Never To Reinvent Cornell‘s work. It was about honing it with the respect It deserts. “It reality is only about the honoring the legacy of Chris Cornell. Nothing More, ” Menghi Says. EACH MUSICIAN BOUGHT THEIR OWN VOICE, BUT ALWAYS IN SERVICE TO THE SANG AND TO Cornell‘S Memory.
“EACH MUSICIAN HAS THES OWN MUSICAL INDIVIDUAL STAMP,” Menghi Explains. “You Hear The Absolute Best of Each One of Them. You are Talking about Musicians Who Helped Invent and Shape Musical Genres and Helped Define Their Generations in Popular Culture, Not Just Music, But Society As a Whole.”
The Cast of Collaborors is remarkable: Kim Thayil, Charlie Benante, Joe Satriani, William Duvall, Bill Kelliher, Alissa White-Gluz, Kenny Aronoff, Menghi Himself, Among Many Others. The Mix of Past Friendships and New Connections created to Unique Bond Among Them. “I Think Back and Go ‘Did I Really Ask Joe Satriani to do instrumental reinterpretation of the greatest modern vocal songs ever remembered? ‘ or ‘what the fuck was i thinking asking the great Kim Thayil to re -record One of His Own Classic Soundgarden Songs? ‘” Menghi Laughs. Yet, not Egos Entred The Room. “EACH PARTICIPATING MUSICIAN SAW THE VISION AND UNDERSTOOD THAT this is about honing the legacy of not only an inspiring musician, but an Amazing Husband, Father and Man.”
For Menghi, Cornell‘S Music Has Always Been A Constant Comsence. “Chris Cornell You have Been One of Only to Vry Small Handful of Musical Constants in My Life, “He Says.” I Never Waivered, Not Once. “
Certain Moments in the Process Were Surreal. Recording with Thayil was One of Them. “I remember Thinking Back Saying to Myelf ‘Holy Fuck, I’m on a Soundgarden Song with Kim Thayil. What Planet Are We On? ‘”
THRUHOUT IT ALL, Menghi Served as The Project’s Creative Director, Always Guided by One Central Question. “How Would Chris Like This? “Every Choice, from Guest Musicians to Mixes To Artwork, was Measured Against That Standard.” If there is Even A Shred of Uncertainty at Any Point In The Process, Back To The Drawing Board We Go. “
The Recordings Were Completed Remotely Over Several Years. The Final Tracks Were Mixed With Care To Ensure Cohesive Sound That Still Captured The Raw Emotion of the performances.
Hope is The Underlying Theme That Rons Through King Ultramega. It is an offering to longtime fans and an invitation for youngoSers to discover the Timeless Brilliance of Cornell‘s work. “Ku is just a blip in the Chris Cornell Universe, ” Menghi Says. “We are a subtle reminder that Chris Was A True Musical Genius. “
For Menghi and his collaborators, King Ultramega IS BOB A DEPLY PERSONAL WORK OF LOVE AND ONE OF THE GREATEST HONORS OF THE MUSICAL LIVES. “To Be Here Thirty-Plus Years Later Paying Tribute To Whom I Believe was The King of Thue Times Is One of The Greatest Musical Honors of My Life.”
