Metal Allegiance - Fallen Heroes

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Respect for our veterans is a strong feature in Metal. This is the main reason that connects every Metalhead to our roots, and guides us into the future. No Metalhead is allowed to not respect our forefathers, and besides it's not a rule, that despite the roots does not fit for a Metalhead, but in a guy that is only following some kind of rule or commandment. So, if you're a Metal fan in your heart, it doesn't matter your age or the country where you live, "Fallen Heroes", an EP and the new release for the super Metal group METAL ALLEGIANCE, will touch your heart and soul.

The band's musical work is not so easy to fit in a Metal musical style, but we could say that it is a group with well-known musicians in Metal scene (that played on names as MEGADETH, TESTAMENT, and DREAM THEATER) that gather the talent from different singers from other bands. Of course they have their own songs, but on "Fallen Heroes" you'll find only versions for some legends that left us between December from the last year and January of this year. Their names are legendary: Lemmy Kilmister from MOTORHEAD (gone on 12/28/2015), David Bowie (gone on 01/10/2016) and Glenn Frey (EAGLES founder, gone on 01/18/2016). We all suffered a lot due to their passage, but METAL ALLIGEANCE made an excellent homage to these true fallen heroes.

The core of the band (the quartet Mark Menghi, David Ellefson, Mike Portnoy and Alex Skolnick) produced the EP, and the main idea was to do something with very good sound quality, but without being overproduced. If it was done that way, the EP would not be as good as it really is. Obviously, you'll hear every musical instrument clearly, but the sound is really great in this rawer fashion. So prepare yourselves, because the homage is on, dear nephews and nieces!

The first one is an explosive version for MOTORHEAD's "Iron Fist", that is excellent, with the noises of the sound equipment being turned on at the loudest, unleashing the violent fury of the forefathers of extreme Metal, with excellent work from guitars, and Troy Sanders (from MASTODON) really sings in a fine way. Lemmy should be proud, wherever he is now, drinking his bottle of Jack Daniels, smoking his cigarettes and playin' loud and fast. The second song is "Suffragette City", from the album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars", a great influence for earlier Glam Rock and Punk Rock. Doing the vocals is Mark Osegueda, vocalist from DEATH ANGEL. Of course the song is really great, recreating the old classic, but respecting its musical structure and features. The old Rock'n'Roll chameleon, known as DAVID BOWIE, really would love it.

"Life in the Fast Lane" is an old song from EAGLES, coming from one of their best albums, "Hotel California." This version has a strong dose of musical weight, but trying to be an honest picture of the original. How is good to hear Alissa White-Gluz (from ARCH ENEMY) using her melodic and strong voice on this song (without her usual guttural grunts that we all are used to hear). Glenn would like to hear this version, and like it a lot. This EP is an excellent homage, and I hope that METAL ALLEGIANCE will active for a long time.

Originality: 7
Songwriting: 8
Memorability: 10
Production: 8