MIKE PORTNOY Planning Setlists For Upcoming MorseFest, METAL ALLEGIANCE Album Release Party, CHRIS SQUIRE Tribute, And THE WINERY DOGS Tour

Drum legend Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater) has checked in with the following update:

“Planning for some very special setlists and shows in the coming months!! 

• In 2 weeks (Sept 4th & 5th), I have MorseFest at which we’re doing the entire ? and Sola Scriptura albums (as well as some additional very cool treats for all you Neal Morse fans!)

• Shortly after that (Sept 17th), there’s the Metal Allegiance album release show in NYC with an all-star cast of metal legends! We’ll be playing a lot of the debut album live for the first time ever, and as always have some great metal surprises up our sleeves!

• Then for all you prog fans, I have some very cool things in store for my Chris Squire tribute on Cruise to the Edge Nov 15th to 19th…(remember the historic set Transatlantic did with Jon Anderson on Progressive Nation at Sea? This is gonna be just as cool!)

• And then as if all these really unique, one-off setlists and shows aren’t enough, The Winery Dogs will kick off our Double Down 2015/2016 World Tour in the US throughout Oct/Nov!”

All-star band Metal Allegiance will be releasing an album of original material. The self-titled album is scheduled for worldwide release on September 18th via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. Check out a new lyric video for the track “Can’t Kill The Devil”:

Drummer Mike Portnoy has checked in with the following update since the release of the clip:

“Thank you all for incredible feedback on today’s unveiling of the first Metal Allegiance track. I’ve been saying for years that I’ve been dying to do a REAL metal project. Well, turns out this album became the ULTIMATE one for me!

Teaming up with my friends from Megadeth, Testament, Slayer, Anthrax, Pantera, Sepultura, Machine Head, Exodus, Lamb Of God, Mastodon, Death Angel, Trivium and more, we’ve made an album that truly captures the spirit and brotherhood of METAL!

I cannot wait for you all to hear this amazing album in its entirety on September 18th!”

The album features a collection of hard rock and heavy metal’s most notable perfromers. Brought together by principal partner Mark Menghi, Metal Allegiance contains appearances by Philip H. Anselmo, Charlie Benante, Chuck Billy, D. Randall Blythe, Rex Brown, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Phil Demmel, David Ellefson, Alissa White-Gluz, Matthew K. Heafy, Gary Holt, jamey Jasta, Chris Jericho, Andreas Kisser, Misha Mansoor, Mark Osegueda, Tim “Ripper” Owens, dUg Pinnick, Mike Portnoy, Troy Sanders, Cristina Scabbia, Alex Skolnick, Steve “Zetro” Souza and Ben Weinman.

Check out Webisode #1 featuring Lamb Of God’s Randy Blythe and Exodus’ Gary Holt:

“It’s always my pleasure to jam with such esteemed musicians and brothers, and my contribution to this project is further proof of that fact. Hail to all Heavy Metalers the world over!”, states Philip H. Aneslmo.

Mike Portnoy adds, “I could not be any more excited or proud of the Metal Allegiance album… it’s everything I’ve always dreamed of and hoped for & 100x more!”

From the blistering opening of album starter “Gift Of Pain” to the final notes of closer “Pledge Of Allegiance,” it is clear this collective have created something special. The diversity of the individual tracks is apparent through each musical collaboration. The standard edition CD of Metal Allegiance will feature the 9 original songs. A digipak edition will be available that features an all-star tribute to Ronnie James Dio with a cover of his classic song “We Rock” as well as a 45 minute behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the album. A double vinyl version will also be available that will feature all 10 songs as well.

D. Randall Blythe adds, “When Lamb Of God asked Alex Skolnick to rip a guest solo on “Ashes Of The Wake”, it was a big deal to us to have one of the legends of our scene play on our record. Much to my amazement, years later he returned the request, and it’s an even bigger deal to me to be asked on a peer level to contribute to a project with so many stellar players. I was honoured to be chosen – “Gift Of Pain” rips! Play it LOUD!”

Metal Allegiance tracklisting:

“Gift Of Pain”
Vocals: D. Randall Blythe
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy Additional
Lead Guitar: Gary Holt

“Let Darkness Fall”
Vocals: Troy Sanders
Lead, Rhythm & Acoustic Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums & Percussion: Mike Portnoy
Additional Bass: Mark Menghi & Rex Brown
Additional Screams: D. Randall Blythe

“Can’t Kill The Devil”
Vocals: Chuck Billy
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Additional Lead Guitar: Phil Demmel & Andreas Kisser

“Dying Song”
Vocals: Philip H. Anselmo
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: Mark Menghi
Drums: Mike Portnoy

“Scars”
Vocals: Mark Osegueda & Cristina Scabbia
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy

“Destination: Nowhere”
Vocals: Matthew K. Heafy
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Additional Lead Guitar: Matthew K. Heafy

“Wait Until Tomorrow”
Vocals: dUg Pinnick & Jamey Jasta
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums, Percussion & Additional Vocals: Mike Portnoy

“Triangulum”
I. Creation
II. Evolution
III. Destruction
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Additional Lead Guitar: Misha Mansoor, Ben Weinman, Charlie Benante, Phil Demmel, Matthew K. Heafy& Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal

“Pledge Of Allegiance”
Vocals: Mark Osegueda
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Additional Lead Guitar: Charlie Benante, Gary Holt & Andreas Kisser

“We Rock” (Deluxe Edition Only)
Vocals: Mark Osegueda, Chris Jericho, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Alissa White-Gluz, Chuck Billy & Steve “Zetro” Souza
Lead & Rhythm Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: David Ellefson
Drums: Mike Portnoy
Additional Lead Guitar: Andreas Kisser, Phil Demmel & Gary Holt

Stemming from an initial idea in 2011, Metal Allegiance was born as a way to unite a collection of hard rock and heavy metal’s most notable musicians in a setting born under one ideal, a love of music and performing. In 2015, that ideal still holds true and has become the foundation for everything Metal Allegiance; furthered with the release of the upcoming debut album. While the lineup may change, the passion, the energy and the emotion all remain the same. Metal Allegiance is more than just a record or a concert, it’s an experience and a lifestyle.

Previous participants in Metal Allegiance live events have included: Philip Anselmo/Rex Brown (Pantera), Joey Belladonna/Frank Bello/Charlie Benante/Scott Ian (Anthrax), David Ellefson (Megadeth), Gary Holt/Kerry King/Dave Lombardo (Slayer), Chuck Billy/Alex Skolnick (Testament), Troy Sanders (Mastodon), Mike Portnoy (The Winery Dogs) and Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) to name a few. These unforgettable events have also spawned surprise appearances by the likes of Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath), Phil Campbell/Mikkey Dee (Motöhead), Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan (The Winery Dogs).