DAVID ELLEFSON, MIKE PORTNOY, ALEX SKOLNICK To Discuss METAL ALLEGIANCE At 'BackStory' Event In NYC

“BackStory”, a series of curated live, feature-length interviews with iconic artists and musicians, announces metal heavyweights David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, THE WINERY DOGS), Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT) and Mark Menghi of METAL ALLEGIANCE as upcoming guests for an exclusive live interview focusing on the band’s self-titled debut album, and much more. The interview will take place on the album’s launch date, Friday, September 18 at AOL studios in New York City. Tickets are now available for purchase.

METAL ALLEGIANCE‘s CD is as pulverizing, energetic, atmospheric, and awe-inspiring as fans of the jaw-dropping list of associated bands should expect. “Metal Allegiance” contains appearances by Philip H. Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN, SUPERJOINT), Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX), Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT), D. Randall Blythe (LAMB OF GOD), Rex Brown (PANTERA), Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (GUNS N’ ROSES), Phil Demmel (MACHINE HEAD), Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY), Matthew K. Heafy (TRIVIUM), Gary Holt (EXODUS, SLAYER), Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED), Chris Jericho (FOZZY), Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA), Misha Mansoor (PERIPHERY), Mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL), Tim “Ripper” Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), Doug Pinnick (KING’S X), Troy Sanders (MASTODON), Cristina Scabbia (LACUNA COIL), Steve “Zetro” Souza (EXODUS) and Ben Weinman (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN).

Founder Mark Menghi describes his relationship with Ellefson, Portnoy and Skolnick in terms of brotherhood — and it was those four who buckled down to write the first batch of original, all-new material for the METAL ALLEGIANCE album.

Hosted by music journalist Brad Tolinski, the “BackStory” event on September 18 will allow guests to enjoy a seat at an exclusive, career-spanning live interview. Each ticket includes a seat in the studio audience, the new “Metal Allegiance” CD, a meet-and-greet with the four core members, and complementary beverages.

“BackStory” kicked off in mid-June with guitar and production mastermind Nile Rodgers, who discussed his two-day, all-star event, “FreakOut! Let’s Dance Festival”, and continued with guitar icon Joe Satriani in July, who talked about his latest release, “Shockwave Supernova”. Upcoming events include launches with THE ZOMBIES, Timbaland and more.

The “BackStory” live interview series is produced by Tolinski and music industry pioneer Laura B. Whitmore. Best known as the editor in chief of Guitar World magazine for 25 years, Tolinski is a respected journalist and the author of “Light And Shade: Conversations With Jimmy Page”. Throughout his career, Tolinski has skillfully interviewed hundreds of musicians and plays guitar, violin and mandolin himself. Whitmore is a respected music industry marketer, the founder of the Women’s International Music Network, a journalist and editor and a singer/songwriter.

To find out more or purchase tickets to “BackStory” events, go to www.backstoryevents.com.

Photo credit: Tom Couture