Metal Allegiance

Metal Allegiance

Metal Allegiance is a US heavy metal supergroup from Long Island, active since 2014. The group works as a collaborative project rather than a fixed line-up, with members coming and going around a core of musicians that includes David Ellefson, Mark Menghi, Mike Portnoy and Alex Skolnick. Its music sits within groove metal, heavy metal, metal, metalcore and thrash metal.

Formation and approach

The project presents itself as a collective built around the wider metal community, with a focus on shared musicianship, mutual respect and a rotating cast of contributors. Its line-up and studio work bring together players with established histories in major metal bands, and the group is structured to allow different musicians to appear on stage and in recordings.

Collaborators and associated musicians

Metal Allegiance’s recordings and credits involve past and present members of Megadeth, Testament, Dream Theater, Lamb of God, Slayer, Exodus, Mastodon, Pantera, Trivium, King’s X, Hatebreed, Sepultura, Machine Head, Anthrax, Lacuna Coil, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Periphery, Death Angel, Judas Priest, Iced Earth and Arch Enemy. Live performances also feature guest appearances from Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath, Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee of Motörhead, Wolfgang Van Halen of Van Halen, Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan.

Musical identity

The group’s work is described as heavy, energetic, atmospheric and technically accomplished, with an emphasis on the broad culture of metal as a communal form of expression. Its identity is tied to the idea of a supergroup drawing on the experience and histories of many established acts across the genre.