King Ultramega, a tribute project to the late Soundgarden, Audioslave, etc. great Chris Cornell, have issued their latest cover. Mark Menghi of Metal Allegiance, etc. fame has been heading up this project, which in the past has enlisted members of Mastodon, Big Wreck, Anthrax and even a member of Soundgarden, among others, to pay tribute to the departed Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer.
This newest cover to surface from the project is a rendition of “Loud Love“, the first single to be released from Soundgarden‘s 1989 sophomore album, “Louder Than Love“. Throwing in with Menghi here are Halestorm vocalist Lzzy Hale, Testament, Metal Allegiance, etc. guitarist Alex Skolnick, and former Pearl Jam/Candlebox, etc. drummer Dave Krusen.
Hale said of her involvement with the track:
“I don’t think I’ve ever been a good imitator, but I did try to put myself in Chris’ shoes. It’s more about placing yourself inside the song so you can steal its soul. I like to imagine I am the writer and then go about making it my own whilst honoring the original I feel like I’m always learning something from Chris. Every few years I’ll discover something deeper in his lyrics, or higher in his range. But there is an authenticity that comes with Chris that can’t be taught or trained for. I believe every word he writes. I’m inspired by his control over his animalistic vocal range, and his poetry, but also how honestly he sings.”
Menghi offered:
“It was very important to me to keep this particular song as old school as possible. I wanted to catch the warmth, vibe and feel of the original track which meant (to me) recording to tape, in the same room together and live. Imagine that? A world where you record with other humans in the same room and in analog no less! Reel-to-reel tape recording is a lost art form and was very excited to go back to the recording days of the past for this track. Alex and I are no strangers in recording together; but this was the first time we have ever recorded live together, with real amps blasting and the tape machine running. Truly was a special feel, to capture that live energy.”
Skolnick went on to say:
“Kim’s playing has a strong sense of groove as well as a rawness and honesty… I tried to strike a balance between referencing and respecting Kim’s original parts, while also bringing some of my own flavor.”
Krusen added:
“Seattle was a very turbulent place in the late 80s / early 90s and I think the best thing to come out of it was all the great music. I was a huge Soundgarden fan. I got to meet Chris and Matt [Cameron, Soundgarden/ex-Pearl Jam drummer] when we [Pearl Jam] were working on ‘Ten‘ and they were working on Temple Of The Dog. It was a huge thrill for me. The fact that I was asked to be a part of this King Ultramega record was a huge honor. I was very intimidated to try and tackle the drum parts in ‘Loud Love,’ but the guys I was recording with made it no pressure and a lot of fun.”
All proceeds from this latest track will benefit MusiCares.
