Latest news with #KingUltramega
AsiaOne
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Friends of Soundgarden frontman create tribute supergroup to release covers of his songs for charity, Entertainment News
Chris Cornell's friends have created a tribute supergroup called King Ultramega to release covers of his songs to raise money for charity. The Soundgarden frontman - who died in 2017 - is being remembered by pals and former bandmates with the King Ultramega project which will feature a rotating line-up of musicians recording new versions of his tracks to bring in funds for the the MusiCares organisation. Metal Allegiance rocker Mark Menghi, who organised the project, said "There is not a singular moment in time that led to this project. It was a trail of events that led to the formation of King Ultramega and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation." The first iteration of King Ultramega features Menghi on bass with Alice In Chains frontman William DuVall taking on vocal duties, Mastodon rocker Bill Kelliher plays guitar and Anthrax's Charlie Benante behind the drums. They have recorded a cover of Rusty Cage, which featured on Soundgarden's 1991 album Badmotorfinger. The next line-up will include Cornell's Soundgarden bandmate Kim Thayil, who said: "I'm super honoured to record alongside all the amazing musicians appearing on the King Ultramega project. "I'm equally proud that it celebrates Soundgarden in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-admirably, everyone's participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Foundation." The news comes after it was revealed new Soundgarden album featuring Cornell could finally see the light of day. On the eighth anniversary of the Grunge legend's death (May 18, 2025), bassist Ben Shepherd has revealed there is an album they made with the Black Hole Sun singer before his passing, which is "yet to be named", suggesting it could be released in the future. In a post on Instagram on the anniversary, Shepherd wrote: "As I wait for my son Noah to get out of school today I'm thinking about … well actually it's stuck in my head and's been there since early this morning like a proud spring bird dammit. "Its a song Chris and Matt wrote The Road Less Traveled for our album that has yet to be named, just hearing Chris' voice helps, I know he did that for everyone he knew … help them, he did for me, filled with self doubt and indebtedness and in just his tone knew what I was going through and forgave me like he always did even when he was older. "It's at this point of recording all of our previous albums I'd get this overwhelming hit of awe, camaraderie, power of creativity, majesty even, and love, from the music, and my bandmates ... and I guess just pure life force. "I can tell you, it feels good and invigorating to hear Chris singing from over that horizon and hear the mighty… mighty life, of souls sharing. To hear, as a fan … and band member, a song or two Chris brought in a few years ago turn before my very ears and finger blisters into a full blown Soundgarden tune is like feeling a glacier fall away off your chest." [[nid:625981]]
The Advertiser
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
New supergroup created in tribute to Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell's friends have created a tribute supergroup called King Ultramega to release covers of his songs to raise money for charity. The Soundgarden frontman, who died in 2017, is being remembered with the project which will feature a rotating line-up of musicians recording new versions of Cornell's tracks to bring in funds for the MusiCares organisation. Metal Allegiance rocker Mark Menghi, who organised the project, said: "There is not a singular moment in time that led to this project. It was a trail of events that led to the formation of King Ultramega and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation." The first iteration of King Ultramega features Menghi on bass with Alice In Chains frontman William DuVall on vocals, Mastodon rocker Bill Kelliher plays guitar and Anthrax's Charlie Benante behind the drums. They have recorded a cover of Rusty Cage, which featured on Soundgarden's 1991 album Badmotorfinger. The next line-up will include Cornell's Soundgarden bandmate Kim Thayil, who said: "I'm super honoured to record alongside all the amazing musicians appearing on the King Ultramega project. "I'm equally proud that it celebrates Soundgarden in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-admirably, everyone's participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Foundation." The news comes after it was revealed a new Soundgarden album featuring Cornell could finally see the light of day. On the eighth anniversary of Cornell's death, bassist Ben Shepherd said there is an album the band made with the singer before his passing, which is "yet to be named", suggesting it could be released in the future. Chris Cornell's friends have created a tribute supergroup called King Ultramega to release covers of his songs to raise money for charity. The Soundgarden frontman, who died in 2017, is being remembered with the project which will feature a rotating line-up of musicians recording new versions of Cornell's tracks to bring in funds for the MusiCares organisation. Metal Allegiance rocker Mark Menghi, who organised the project, said: "There is not a singular moment in time that led to this project. It was a trail of events that led to the formation of King Ultramega and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation." The first iteration of King Ultramega features Menghi on bass with Alice In Chains frontman William DuVall on vocals, Mastodon rocker Bill Kelliher plays guitar and Anthrax's Charlie Benante behind the drums. They have recorded a cover of Rusty Cage, which featured on Soundgarden's 1991 album Badmotorfinger. The next line-up will include Cornell's Soundgarden bandmate Kim Thayil, who said: "I'm super honoured to record alongside all the amazing musicians appearing on the King Ultramega project. "I'm equally proud that it celebrates Soundgarden in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-admirably, everyone's participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Foundation." The news comes after it was revealed a new Soundgarden album featuring Cornell could finally see the light of day. On the eighth anniversary of Cornell's death, bassist Ben Shepherd said there is an album the band made with the singer before his passing, which is "yet to be named", suggesting it could be released in the future. Chris Cornell's friends have created a tribute supergroup called King Ultramega to release covers of his songs to raise money for charity. The Soundgarden frontman, who died in 2017, is being remembered with the project which will feature a rotating line-up of musicians recording new versions of Cornell's tracks to bring in funds for the MusiCares organisation. Metal Allegiance rocker Mark Menghi, who organised the project, said: "There is not a singular moment in time that led to this project. It was a trail of events that led to the formation of King Ultramega and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation." The first iteration of King Ultramega features Menghi on bass with Alice In Chains frontman William DuVall on vocals, Mastodon rocker Bill Kelliher plays guitar and Anthrax's Charlie Benante behind the drums. They have recorded a cover of Rusty Cage, which featured on Soundgarden's 1991 album Badmotorfinger. The next line-up will include Cornell's Soundgarden bandmate Kim Thayil, who said: "I'm super honoured to record alongside all the amazing musicians appearing on the King Ultramega project. "I'm equally proud that it celebrates Soundgarden in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-admirably, everyone's participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Foundation." The news comes after it was revealed a new Soundgarden album featuring Cornell could finally see the light of day. On the eighth anniversary of Cornell's death, bassist Ben Shepherd said there is an album the band made with the singer before his passing, which is "yet to be named", suggesting it could be released in the future.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
King Ultramega Supergroup Pays Tribute to Chris Cornell With ‘Rusty Cage' Cover
A raft of talented musicians come together to form the new King Ultramega supergroup and pay tribute to late Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell in the process. The nascent group made their debut on Friday (July 18), sharing a rendition of Soundgarden's 'Rusty Cage' – the opening track to 1991's Grammy-nominated Badmotorfinger. More from Billboard Mariah Carey 'MC16' Album Details Coming Tomorrow Fans Choose BTS' 'Permission to Dance On Stage' Live Album as This Week's Favorite New Music 'JACKBOYS 2' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart Leading the charge in King Ultramega is vocalist William DuVall of Alice in Chains, who is joined by Mastodon's Bill Kelliher on guitars, Anthrax and Pantera's Charlie Benante on drums, while Metal Allegiance's Mark Menghi serves as bassist and mastermind for the project. 'I just leaned into my love for the song and my immense respect for Chris,' DuVall of the cover. 'Since the instrumental track Bill, Charlie, and Mark sent hewed so closely to the original, I thought it best for me to stay in that ballpark as well.' According to Menghi, the project started back during the COVID-19 pandemic when he recorded a rendition of the track with friends. After being initially apprehensive of the project given the lofty standards set by Cornell, Menghi's position changed once Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil became involved and re-recorded one of his own tracks for the project. 'There is not a singular moment in time that led to this project,' explained Menghi. 'It was a trail of events that led to the formation of King Ultramega and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation.' Future releases in the series will feature songs from across Cornell's career, with selections taken from his work with Soundgarden, Audioslave, and his own solo career. Each track will also be raising funds and awareness for MusiCares, with the likes of Joe Satriani, Alissa White-Gluz and Kenny Aronoff all set to appear in the future. 'My reason for participating was simply taking on an interesting challenge when so much of the world was shut down,' added DuVall. 'I had no thoughts or ambitions for this beyond our posting it on social media five years ago. But if this release can help further the good work done by MusiCares, then I'm all for it.' 'I'm super honored to record alongside all the amazing musicians appearing on the King Ultramega project,' Thayil added in a statement. 'I'm equally proud that it celebrates Soundgarden in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-admirably, everyone's participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Foundation.' Soundgarden officially disbanded in 2017 following Cornell's passing at the age of 52. In recent years, a handful of reunion performances have taken place, including a December benefit gig under the moniker Nudedragons with vocalist Shaina Shepherd in December. Members of Soundgarden had also previously been announced as performers for the recent Back To The Beginning farewell concert for Ozzy Osbourne at Villa Park in Birmingham, England on July 5, though ultimately did not attend. 'We are very grateful to Tony, Ozzy, Geezer and Bill, as well as Sharon Osbourne and music director, Tom Morello for the honor and invitation to Soundgarden to perform at the Back to the Beginning festival!' a statement on Soundgarden's official Instagram account read. 'We are super bummed and regret that we were unable to coordinate the schedules of our individual and collective projects to attend and contribute to the festival.' Hear King Ultramega's 'Rusty Cage' cover below. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword
Perth Now
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Chris Cornell's pals create tribute supergroup King Ultramega
Chris Cornell's friends have created a tribute supergroup called King Ultramega to release covers of his songs to raise money for charity. The Soundgarden frontman - who died in 2017 - is being remembered by pals and former bandmates with the King Ultramega project which will feature a rotating line-up of musicians recording new versions of his tracks to bring in funds for the the MusiCares organisation. Metal Allegiance rocker Mark Menghi, who organised the project, said "There is not a singular moment in time that led to this project. It was a trail of events that led to the formation of King Ultramega and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation." The first iteration of King Ultramega features Menghi on bass with Alice In Chains frontman William DuVall taking on vocal duties, Mastodon rocker Bill Kelliher plays guitar and Anthrax's Charlie Benante behind the drums. They have recorded a cover of Rusty Cage, which featured on Soundgarden's 1991 album Badmotorfinger. The next line-up will include Cornell's Soundgarden bandmate Kim Thayil, who said: "I'm super honored to record alongside all the amazing musicians appearing on the King Ultramega project. "I'm equally proud that it celebrates Soundgarden in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-admirably, everyone's participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Foundation." The news comes after it was revealed new Soundgarden album featuring Cornell could finallt see the light of day. On the eighth anniversary of the Grunge legend's death (18.05.25), bassist Ben Shepherd has revealed there is an album they made with the Black Hole Sun singer before his passing, which is "yet to be named", suggesting it could be released in the future. In a post on Instagram on the anniversary, Shepherd wrote : "As I wait for my son Noah to get out of school today I'm thinking about … well actually it's stuck in my head and's been there since early this morning like a proud spring bird dammit. 'Its a song Chris and Matt wrote The Road Less Traveled for our album that has yet to be named, just hearing Chris' voice helps, I know he did that for everyone he knew … help them, he did for me, filled with self doubt and indebtedness and in just his tone knew what I was going through and forgave me like he always did even when he was older. "It's at this point of recording all of our previous albums I'd get this overwhelming hit of awe, camaraderie, power of creativity, majesty even, and love, from the music, and my bandmates ... and I guess just pure life force. 'I can tell you, it feels good and invigorating to hear Chris singing from over that horizon and hear the mighty… mighty life, of souls sharing. To hear, as a fan … and band member, a song or two Chris brought in a few years ago turn before my very ears and finger blisters into a full blown Soundgarden tune is like feeling a glacier fall away off your chest."
