KÄRBHOLZ releases ‘Messers Schneide’, the third lead single from their upcoming new studio album ‘Sturm Zieh Auf’, which will be released on 18 September via Metalville.
Hallelujah, what is probably the most profound song in recent music history is getting a sequel. ‘Messers Schneide’ is the long-overdue tribute to the 2015 track ‘Tiefflieger’ and has just one aim: Dance, you wonderful middle-aged people!
STURM ZIEH AUF
…When the storm shatters the silence…
Three years have passed since the double release of ‘Kapitel 10: Wilde Augen’ and ‘Kapitel 11: Barrikaden’. Three years in which the world did not stand still and the band used the time to brew up a whirlwind that is now breaking loose with full force: ‘Sturm zieh auf’.
An atmospheric exchange of energy
A storm is more than just wind. It is a raw, uncontrollable force. It brings destruction, yes – but it creates the space that is so desperately needed for something new. It is the atmospheric exchange of energy that sweeps away the old to make room for change. On their new album, KÄRBHOLZ set this very moment of transformation to music.
With 13 tracks brimming with passion and emotion, the band captures the full spectrum of a storm: from the oppressive ‘calm before the storm’ through fear and unease to the boundless freedom that emerges when the pressure eases.
Authentic, edgy, uncompromising
“Sturm zieh auf” pays no heed to conventions or compatibility. The album draws on the harder elements of the band’s history and creates a self-contained universe that does not seek to please at any cost – and perhaps touches the listener so deeply precisely for that reason. It is a work for those who are prepared to question their listening habits.
•No whining, no finger-pointing: KÄRBHOLZ do not blame external circumstances. •Focus on the self: It’s about the power of the individual to rise above the status quo. •Unbridled positivity: Amidst the chaos, the band finds happiness in the small, essential things in life.
The ‘why’ determines the ‘how’
In the spirit of Nietzsche, the album conveys a clear message: ‘If I know a why, I can bear almost any how.’ “Sturm zieh auf” is the soundtrack for this journey. It is the musical manifestation of resilience – an invitation to face the storm, to enjoy it, and to emerge from it stronger.
KÄRBHOLZ are back. Louder, harder and more reflective than ever before.
“STURM ZIEH AUF” TRACK LISTING
01 Sturm zieh auf 02 Wenn ich fall 03 Dämmerlicht 04 Kryptonit 05 Mut 06 Augenblick 07 Messers Schneide 08 Glück 09 Sonnenfinsternis 10 Wo man tanzt 11 Gottes Kind 12 Kintsugi 13 Des Todes Bruder
KÄRBHOLZ LINE UP
Torben Höffgen – vocals Adrian Kühn – guitars Stefan Wirths – bass Henning Münch – drums
TOUR DATES
24.07.26 DE – Königstein – Festung Königstein Open Air 31.07.26 DE – Laichingen – Rock Dein Leben 01.08.26 DE – Wacken – Wacken Open Air 06.08.26 CH – Brienz – Brienzer See Rockfestival 18.09.26 DE – Köln – MS Rheinmagie (Record Release Show) 19.09.26 DE – Köln – MS Rheinmagie
RECORD RELEASE TOUR 2026
01.10.2026 CH – Aarburg – Musigburg 02.10.2026 DE Lindau – Club Vaudeville 03.10.2026 DE – Geiselwind – Music Hall 04.10.2026 AT – Wien – Szene 15.10.2026 DE – Saarbrücken – Garage 16.10.2026 DE – Heidelberg – Halle 02 17.10.2026 DE – Stuttgart – LKA Longhorn 18.10.2026 DE – München – Backstage Werk 20.10.2026 DE – Erfurt – Central 21.10.2026 DE – Köln – Live Music Hall 22.10.2026 DE – Bielefeld – Lokschuppen 23.10.2026 DE – Berlin – Huxleys 24.10.2026 DE – Leipzig – Felsenkeller 06.11.2026 DE – Hamburg – Inselpark Arena 07.11.2026 DE – Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle 1 08.11.2026 DE – Frankfurt – Batschkapp 20.11.2026 DE – Neubrandenburg – HKB 21.11.2026 DE – Dresde – Reithalle Strasse E
Finnish progressive folk/black metal band Jotungrav are set to release their debut album ‘Elegi’ on August 20th 2026 via Inverse Records. The only single ‘Återfödd’ is unleashed today and it’s available here: https://push.fm/fl/jotungrav-aterfodd
The band comments:
” “Återfödd” (Swedish for “reborn”) sees Jotungrav embrace its folk metal roots more than on any other song from the band’s forthcoming album. It is largely inspired by Finnish folk music and waltzes, with time signatures that are less common in metal. As a fast and energetic song it features both uplifting melodies and majestic passages, some of which can be surprisingly danceable. The song is a rather noticeable departure from Jotungrav’s usual style, as on “Återfödd” all black metal inspiration has been stripped down and replaced by elements found in progressive melodic death metal. During its eight minute runtime the listener can hear hints of Wilderun, early Ensiferum and Finsterforst, as well as 2000’s and 2010’s folk metal in general. For the band this has struck a balance between respecting the origins of Jotungrav and progressing as a band. The song focuses on one theme alone: the indomitable human spirit. It is a reminder that the cruelty of the universe cannot break one that is filled with purpose and remains unyielding. The cover art for the single reflects the flipside of this, where the death of someone beloved isn’t just a one–sided rebirth, but a turning point for both parties. Here change happens through tragedy; one lives on in memories, while the other is changed for life.”
–Composed & lyrics by Matias Stenman –Mixed & mastered by Teemu Leskinen –ISRC: FI3FC2602902 –Single cover by Matias Stenman
Elegi Track list:
Vansinnesvisdom (07:53)
Återfödd (07:51)
Segern (11:30)
Elegi (13:50)
–Composed & lyrics by Matias Stenman –Mixed & mastered by Teemu Leskinen –Album cover by Matias Stenman
BIOGRAPHY:
Jotungrav is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Matias Stenman, which incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal within a progressive metal framework. The project got its initial start in 2015, but most of the material composed back then ended up being discarded. It was in the summer of 2022 when the single Drängen was finished when Jotungrav finally materialized, with the help of fellow Sargassus members Matias Rokio, who provided percussive arrangements to the song, as well as Teemu Leskinen, who took on the mixing and mastering duties. Initially Jotungrav was a slowly progressing musical effort, but with time the project managed to accumulate enough material for a second single, Ulven, while working on more material for future releases. Both musically and thematically Jotungrav draws inspiration from early 2000s–2010s viking/pagan metal scene and mythology. The lyrics have a philosophical and symbolic focus on humanity. The songs evolve into vast soundscapes while maintaining a raw and genuine feel to them, paying homage to the early days of folk metal. As Jotungravi has developed, the band has moved closer to progressive, melodic folk metal, with the black metal influences familiar to the band playing a smaller role in the music. On the latest album “Elegi,” the songs stretch into even longer and more dynamic epics that take the listener through wartorn landscapes of the ancient world.
After more than a decade of honoring the legends who shaped hard rock and heavy metal, the Metal Hall of Fame is expanding the conversation with the launch of the Metal Hall of Fame Podcast.
The first Podcast episode will premiere July 21,2026 on the Metal Hall of Fame’s official YouTube channel, at youtube.com/@metalhalloffame.
Hosted by entertainment personality Cathy Rankin and Metal Hall of Fame
Founder/CEO Pat Gesualdo, The Metal Hall of Fame Podcast gives fans the opportunity to share candid conversations and untold stories with major artists and iconic industry leaders.
The debut episode features special guests David Ellefson (Megadeth, Grammy-winning artist), and Jimmy Kay, (Co-founder of The Metal Voice, music host/producer). Fans will hear the behind the scenes story of how Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne joined with Pat Gesualdo to honor original Ozzy Drummer Lee Kerslake for his work for the “Blizzard of Ozz“, and “Diary of A Madman” albums, topics on the current music industry, and much more!
Each episode of the “Metal Hall of Fame Podcast” will feature Pat Gesualdo either on tour drumming as part of the Metal Hall of Fame All Star band, at major events with the Metal Hall of Fame Mobile Museum and Tour Bus, or in the studio, and Cathy Rankin at Pratt Podcasting Studios. Fans will hear great stories from legendary artists and industry executives, The crazy behind the scenes antics with the Rockstars being inducted at Metal Hall of Fame Gala, and Topics shaping the current global Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music scene.
The Metal Hall of Fame Podcast is sponsored by Ellefson Coffee Co., Pratt Podcasting, Monster Energy, and Danny Wimmer Presents.
About The Metal Hall of Fame:
The Metal Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to forever enshrining those iconic musicians and industry executives who are responsible for making Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music what it is today.
The Annual Metal Hall of Fame Celebrity Gala has included many historical moments in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. From having Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne help in honoring original Ozzy drummer Lee Kerslake for his work on the “Blizzard of Ozz,” and “Diary of A Madman” albums. Having Metallica Induct Megaforce Records founders Jon and Marsha Zazula. Inducting Judas Priest at Wacken Open Air. Inducting Steve Vai, Triumph, Geoff Tate, and members of KISS and Iron Maiden. Having Kerry King of Slayer Induct Metal Blade Records. Inducting Anthrax at Heavy Montreal. Reuniting Twisted Sister. Having Paul Stanley Induct KISS manager Doc McGhee. Having Brian May of Queen Induct Joe Satriani. These are just some of the memories that the Metal Hall of Fame has shared with Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans throughout the world.
The Two Artists Transform their Real Life Creative Connection into a Dark Exploration of Betrayal, Survival, and Rebirth
What began as a connection between two artists quickly blossomed into a close friendship and an inevitable creative partnership. Now, Lyric Noel and Mixi Demner of Stitched Up Heart bring that bond to life through “Acid Bloom,” a powerful new single and cinematic music video released today via Judge & Jury Records.
Lyric and Mixi first connected through their shared passion for music and storytelling. Plans to meet in person at a Stitched Up Heart show soon developed into a genuine friendship, with the two artists immediately recognizing a kindred creative spirit in one another. As their bond grew, Mixi introduced Lyric to Judge & Jury Records, helping open the door to an exciting new chapter in Lyric’s career.
A collaboration between the two soon felt inevitable. With its themes of transformation, emotional entanglement, and the complicated line between love and destruction, “Acid Bloom” became the perfect project through which to capture their chemistry. In many ways, their friendship bloomed alongside the song itself.
“Flying out to Texas to work with Lyric Noel on ‘Acid Bloom’ was such a dream,” says Demner. “The music video was insane, and the art department killed it with the whole science lab set. Everything about it was perfect. The whole team was amazing, but building a real friendship with Lyric made it extra special. I’m so honored I got to be part of such an incredible experience.”
Beneath that real life friendship lies a much darker fictional story. “Acid Bloom” explores what happens when pain becomes the force that changes you and survival requires becoming something entirely new. Told through the metaphor of a scientific experiment gone wrong, the song follows something beautiful emerging from something corrosive and destructive. The “acid” represents the experiences, people, and circumstances that slowly erode a person’s identity, while the “bloom” symbolizes the stronger, stranger, and uncontrollable version of oneself born from surviving them.
Lyrically, “Acid Bloom” is about reclaiming power after manipulation and betrayal. Rather than allowing those experiences to define the survivor, they become the catalyst for transformation. Sonically, that evolution unfolds through chaotic, cinematic production that builds from mounting tension into an explosive release, mirroring the moment an experiment can no longer be contained.
“‘Acid Bloom’ is about what happens when the thing that promises to heal you is the very thing that’s poisoning you,” explains Lyric. “It’s the moment survival turns into transformation, not because you wanted it to, but because you had no other choice. Sometimes growth isn’t beautiful. Sometimes it burns.”
The accompanying music video, directed by rising visionary Michael Levine, with Maxton Donnell serving as creative lead and Levine assisting in the creative development before taking the director’s chair, expands the song’s narrative into a disturbing cinematic world. Following a laboratory accident, scientist Lyric Noel transforms into Acid Bloom, an uncontrollable organism that binds her to a captured test subject portrayed by Demner. What begins as a tense captor and captive dynamic gradually develops into a disturbing symbiotic relationship. As both characters become physically and emotionally consumed by the organism’s invasive growth, the video reveals a powerful metaphor for toxic codependency and the ways love, control, healing, and destruction can emerge from the same connection.
With “Acid Bloom,” Lyric continues to establish herself as one of modern rock’s most compelling emerging voices, combining emotionally vulnerable songwriting, explosive production, and ambitious cinematic storytelling. Demner’s unmistakable voice and commanding presence deepen the release’s emotional intensity, resulting in a collaboration that feels both deeply personal and completely unrestrained.
WATCH “Acid Bloom” feat. Mixi Demner of Stitched Up Heart:
Lyric Noel is built around personifying Lyric Hollar’s lived experience with different mental illnesses and emotional struggles. This project exists to say the things people are usually expected to carry quietly, the intrusive thoughts, the instability, the exhaustion of trying to appear okay. Lyric writes from inside that reality, not from metaphor or distance, turning pain into something raw, visible, and honest. The work does not soften or romanticize struggle, but it does make it beautiful in its truth, giving listeners language and reflection for experiences they already know but rarely hear spoken out loud.
As a band, Lyric Noel amplifies that voice with intention. Alongside guitarist, primary composer, and producer Russell Hollar, guitarist Robby Gray, and drummer Jerrin Castillo, the project blends heavy, atmospheric, and alternative elements into music and visuals that match the weight of Lyric’s message. That honesty has connected with more than 900,000 people across social platforms and is now entering its next chapter through a new partnership with Judge and Jury Records. Lyric Noel exists because it is not built on image or trend, but on lived truth, emotional visibility, and the courage to anthropomorphize these intense emotions.
Lithuanian progressive metal band BLACK SPIKES follows a dark path with the latest single from their upcoming album, Ydos (out August 28, 2026 via Napalm Records). “ZELVAR” portrays greed and thereby expands the record’s concept—an exploration of humanity’s vices. Featuring the only English lyrics on Ydos, the new song adds a special kind of accessibility to what is otherwise a heavy-hitting track, contrasting fiercely explosive energy with a gentle chorus. Raw rage and a haunting atmosphere fittingly show: Never close your eyes on BLACK SPIKES!
BLACK SPIKES about “ZELVAR”: “This song tells the story of Zelvar, the demon of greed, as he steps into the human world. Within a magnificent palace, those consumed by endless ambition gather, chasing ever greater wealth, power, and status. Yet the more they gain, the deeper they fall into his trap—thirsty, and forever unsatisfied. Greed is a vice that leaves the soul imprisoned and alone the moment you ‘close your eyes’ and surrender to its temptation. No matter how much you possess, it will never be enough.”
Emerging from the shadows are BLACK SPIKES, bringing the darkness right along with them on their new album, Ydos, out August 28, 2026. The Lithuanian breakout band’s first release with Napalm Records, coming shortly after their nomination at their home country’s Grammy-comparable M.A.M.A. Music Awards, deals with the eponymous flaws of humanity, conceptually interwoven with modern progressive metal, serving as a complex mirror for us all.
The depth of its concept is reflected in every note of Ydos, from every heavy riff to every proggy twist. Leaning into electronic music while holding on firmly to their metal roots, the Lithuanian band creates a distinctive sound, alluringly dark and captivatingly heavy. BLACK SPIKES venture into gloominess, filling the void with spine-tingling philosophical thoughts and posing as Janus-faced companions on a fateful journey into the self in which every step should be taken with caution because a trap just might snap …
BLACK SPIKES about Ydos: “Ydos is a conceptual album—a dark fairytale about human vices. The idea was there from the very beginning and guided the entire songwriting process. Each vice has its own name and story, and many songs will be brought to life through music videos where these vices take shape. It was our first time creating a conceptual album, and we really enjoyed starting with an idea and expressing it through music.”
Initiating the story of Ydos is the eerie “PASAKA” (engl. fairy tale), an intro setting the mood with menacing ticking sounds growing into orchestrals and singer Agni’s high vocals layered with screams. A calming lullaby exploding into growls, thunderous blast beats, and elaborate guitar riffs, “MOTINA” (engl. mother) describes the birth of humankind’s vices and therefore serves as an exposition for the storytelling aspect. Throughout the ten songs of their second album, BLACK SPIKES explore the relationships with flaws we all carry within, devoting a song to each of them. “MELAS” (engl. lie) introduces trap beats and rap to the mix, all with an approach clearly rooted in modern metal with sophisticated progressive elements. “MARA”, investigating excessive curiosity, beautifully contrasts calmness and calamity, with the quintet allowing their different elements to breathe while still entwisting them persuasively. Following, “ZELVAR”, which features the album’s only English lyrics, and “REVANA” add endearing, highly recognizable riffs to Ydos, further opening the gates to the hauntingly beautiful realms BLACK SPIKES are unfolding as they delve into greed and revenge, respectively, the concepts personified in the form of demons. The raw rage evolves into carefully structured “APATIJA” (engl. apathy), whose futuristic intermezzi make for especially interesting headbanging rhythms throughout which Agni’s voice acts as a gentle guide. “AUREA” continues BLACK SPIKES’ cinematic approach in its depiction of pride, unleashing a storm of rapacious riffs and galloping drums, frequently broken up by halcyon parts, their cleverly placed tranquility conveying comfort in seemingly hopeless hazes. With pressing “SENAS DEMONAS” (engl. old demon), BLACK SPIKES free yet another hellish entity, before “DULKĖS” (engl. dust) picks up on the melodized cinematography, wrapping up this bleak exploration of what it means to be human.
Ydos tracklisting:
PASAKA
MOTINA
MELAS
MARA
ZELVAR
REVANA
APATIJA
AUREA
SENAS DEMONAS
DULKĖS
BLACK SPIKES LIVE 24.04.2027 UK – Wolverhampton / Uprising X
KING ULTRAMEGA, the all-star tribute project honoring the music and legacy of Chris Cornell, returns with its latest single, “Birth Ritual,” a reimagining of the SOUNDGARDEN deep cut originally featured on the legendary Singles movie soundtrack. Arriving one day after what would have been Cornell’s 58th birthday, the release also lands amid the continued celebration of Singles’ 30th anniversary, adding another layer of meaning to a track forever tied to the film, its era-defining soundtrack and the Seattle sound Cornell helped shape.
The new version brings together Matt Cameron, the legendary SOUNDGARDEN drummer who co-wrote and performed on the original track, Mark Menghi (bass & producer), and Lzzy Hale (vocals) and Joe Hottinger (guitar) of HALESTORM. The result is a tribute that honors the song’s raw power while bringing fresh fire to one of the most explosive moments in Cornell’s catalog. The result is a tribute that honors the song’s raw power while bringing fresh fire to one of the most explosive moments in Cornell’s catalog.
Vocals: Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM) Guitars: Joe Hottinger (HALESTORM) Bass: Mark Menghi (METAL ALLEGIANCE) Drums: Matt Cameron (SOUNDGARDEN)
For Menghi, KING ULTRAMEGA has grown into something larger than a covers project.
“KING ULTRAMEGA has become more than a cover project; it feels like a living tribute to Chris Cornell’s entire creative spirit,” says Menghi. “If you notice the trend of KING ULTRAMEGA releases thus far, we cover all aspects of Chris’ career—spanning different albums, bands and solo records—with no more than one song from any given release. ‘Birth Ritual’ was originally featured on the legendary Singles movie soundtrack, and it has always been one of my favorite SOUNDGARDEN songs. It was important to me to give a tip of the cap to a phenomenal film—which Chris famously cameos in—and a soundtrack that perfectly defined that entire era. I still have my original VHS of the movie! Even our artwork for this release is a direct nod to the movie’s fictional band, ‘CITIZEN DICK.’”
When it came time to build the lineup for “Birth Ritual,” Cameron’s involvement was essential.
“Bringing in Matt was essential,” Menghi continues. “Having the guy who actually lived that experience—and is famously in the movie performing the OG version of this song live from behind the drum kit in one of the scenes—gives our version an undeniable, authentic energy. Getting to lock in on bass with Matt driving the drums was an absolute dream. Pairing our rhythm section with the sheer power of Lzzy and Joe took this track to the stratosphere. Lzzy completely channels that raw Cornell vocal grit, and Joe’s guitar work is just blistering. Together, I believe we honored the history while bringing fresh energy to it.”
“Birth Ritual” also marks the second time a member of SOUNDGARDEN has performed with KING ULTRAMEGA, following Kim Thayil’s appearance on “The Day I Tried to Live.”
“Humbled, grateful, and completely surreal,” Menghi says. “Between having Matt on ‘Birth Ritual’ and Kim Thayil laying down guitars on ‘The Day I Tried to Live,’ it’s an absolute full-circle moment for me. SOUNDGARDEN has been woven into my creative DNA since a very young age. To have the very architects of that definitive Seattle sound validate what we are doing by stepping into our world and re-recording these tracks with us… it’s truly insane to think about. I’m just incredibly thankful for the opportunity.”
For Hale, stepping into a Chris Cornell vocal was never about imitation. It was about communion.
“Every time I tackle a Chris Cornell track I always want to honor his legacy,” says Lzzy Hale. “But with ‘Birth Ritual,’ I wanted to dance with it, meld his incendiary words with my soul and find a way to live inside the song.”
Hottinger approached the track’s guitar parts with the same balance of reverence and personal bite.
“‘Birth Ritual’ is such a wild song for the guitars,” says Joe Hottinger. “It’s a tuning I’ve never used and is super fun to play. I love how it just grooves with the drums. I decided to use my Bogner Snorkler and Wizard Hell Razor amps. My two favorite crunch amps right now. I kept it pretty true to the original on the rhythm guitar parts and took my liberties with the solos. All in all, the track was a joy to learn and play and I’m super excited to be on a track with one of my hero’s, Matt Cameron.”
For Cameron, returning to “Birth Ritual” inside a tribute to Cornell carried both emotional and musical weight.
“The overall intensity of the song still hits home for me,” says Matt Cameron. “It’s a nice modern update, but still sounds true to the original. The chorus on the tribute version sounds amazing, Lzzy crushed the vocals and the guitars and bass are perfect. It’s nice when Kim’s solo kicks in too.”
While “Birth Ritual” may not be one of SOUNDGARDEN’s biggest radio hits, KING ULTRAMEGA’s version highlights why the song remains essential: it captures the unfiltered force, complexity and originality that made Cornell and SOUNDGARDEN unlike anyone else.
“I hope whoever listens to this song goes and revisits—or is introduced to—the movie Singles, and then goes out and buys that soundtrack,” says Menghi. “It truly is one of the greatest soundtracks ever assembled for a film. It was the soundtrack to my youth, in more ways than one… Back then, all that music was brand new, and now those songs are revered as timeless classics. What I hope people hear in our version of ‘Birth Ritual’ is the sheer, unapologetic power of that music. Chris’ vocal phrasing on this track is insane and the song itself is a perfect example of what made SOUNDGARDEN so revolutionary—they could take heavy, complex, unconventional arrangements and make them absolutely slam. I want people to hear the timelessness of Chris’s creative spirit and remember that even decades later, nobody has ever done it better. That raw energy still matters today just as much as it did on a cassette tape or VHS back in 1992.”
Cameron hopes the new recording leads listeners deeper into SOUNDGARDEN’s catalog.
“‘Birth Ritual’ is an obscure B-side, so newer fans of the band may not be familiar with it,” says Cameron. “After hearing this version hopefully newer listeners will check out some of our other interesting B-sides penned by Chris like ‘She Likes Surprises’ and ‘Cold Bitch.’”
For Hale, the enduring power of Cornell’s work lies in its honesty.
“There is a raw, unapologetic honesty in SOUNDGARDEN’s music that is something that any band new or old should be taking to heart,” she says. “There are never ending layers to peel back from not only ‘Birth Ritual’ but from every album they released. Chris taps into the nerve of your soul to reveal truths about yourself that you didn’t think anyone noticed. Chris’s voice and words have the ability to inspire and empower you to be the best version of yourself, something that is needed now more than ever before, and will continue for generations to come.”
Hottinger adds that “Birth Ritual” is a crucial piece of SOUNDGARDEN’s identity and a reminder of Cornell’s place in heavy music.
“‘Birth Ritual’ is not one of the big SOUNDGARDEN hit songs, but it’s a song that is an essential track for helping define all the aspects of how much of a monster this band was and how unique and heavy they were compared to most ‘grunge’ music,” says Hottinger. “Chris sounds like a demon on this track. His screams and howls are otherworldly and his lyrics paint the heaviest picture. These songs and Chris’s voice are pillars of heavy music. They will forever be part of the DNA of a rock and Metal.”
KING ULTRAMEGA’s “Birth Ritual” is both a tribute and a revival: a salute to Chris Cornell’s creative spirit, a nod to the cultural lightning strike of Singles, and a reminder that SOUNDGARDEN’s music still hits with the same danger, depth and power decades later.
About KING ULTRAMEGA:
KING ULTRAMEGA is a passion-driven musical project honoring the life, voice, and genius of Chris Cornell, one of the most gifted artists of our time. It launches in conjunction with SOUNDGARDEN’s long-overdue induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
This project did not begin with a single, dramatic moment. Instead, it grew quietly and gradually, an organic result of years of conversations, inspiration, and deep reverence for a musician whose impact remains immeasurable.
“There is not a singular moment in time that led to this project,” says bassist and producer Mark Menghi, the driving force behind KING ULTRAMEGA. “It was a trail of events that led to the formation of KING ULTRAMEGA and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation.”
It started in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, when Menghi recorded a version of “Rusty Cage” with friends. What began as a creative release soon became something larger. With every step forward, the project deepened in meaning and purpose. “I kept crossing the mental roadblock of ‘you are entering uncharted waters, are you sure you wanna do this?'” Menghi reflects. “Chris is one of those dudes if you cover, you better do it justice.”
The decision to continue became clear when SOUNDGARDEN guitarist Kim Thayil joined the project and re-recorded one of his own iconic tracks. “Once Kim got involved and re-recorded one of his own songs, I knew something was brewing,” Menghi says.
Thayil embraced the project wholeheartedly. “I’m super honored to record alongside all the amazing musicians appearing on the KING ULTRAMEGA project,” he says. “I’m equally proud that it celebrates SOUNDGARDEN in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-admirably, everyone’s participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Foundation. Thank you Mark Menghi, Charlie Benante and Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).”
For Menghi, this project is as personal as it is musical. “I went through some very difficult times in my life. I should not be here right now, but I am,” he shares. “I like to think my past trials and tribulations helped me understand Chris just a little, hence the formation of KING ULTRAMEGA.”
Song selection was guided by instinct. “My mood. It’s really that simple,” Menghi explains. “‘Rusty Cage’ was recorded simply because it’s one of my favorite songs featured on one of my favorite records.” Other songs came to Menghi during moments of reflection and inspiration. “There is a bunch more in the can right now, all with drums fully recorded, which are currently being worked out for future releases.”
The goal was never to reinvent Cornell’s work. It was about honoring it with the respect it deserves. “It really is only about honoring the legacy of Chris Cornell. Nothing more,” Menghi says. Each musician brought their own voice, but always in service to the song and to Cornell’s memory.
“Each musician has their own individual musical stamp,” Menghi explains. “You hear the absolute best of each one of them. You are talking about musicians who helped invent and shape musical genres and helped define their generations in popular culture, not just music, but society as a whole.”
The cast of collaborators is remarkable. Kim Thayil, Charlie Benante, Joe Satriani, William DuVall, Bill Kelliher, Alissa White-Gluz, Kenny Aronoff, Menghi himself, among many others. The mix of past friendships and new connections created a unique bond among them. “I think back and go ‘did I really ask Joe Satriani to do an instrumental reinterpretation of one of the greatest modern vocal songs ever recorded?’ or ‘what the fuck was I thinking asking the great Kim Thayil to re-record one of his own classic Soundgarden songs?'” Menghi laughs. Yet, no egos entered the room. “Each participating musician saw the vision and understood that this is about honoring the legacy of not only an inspiring musician, but an amazing husband, father and man.”
For Menghi, Cornell’s music has always been a constant presence. “Chris Cornell has been one of only a very small handful of musical constants in my life,” he says. “I never waivered, not once.”
Certain moments in the process were surreal. Recording with Thayil was one of them. “I remember thinking back saying to myself ‘holy fuck, I’m on a SOUNDGARDEN song with Kim Thayil. What planet are we on?'”
Throughout it all, Menghi served as the project’s creative director, always guided by one central question. “How would Chris like this?” Every choice, from guest musicians to mixes to artwork, was measured against that standard. “If there is even a shred of uncertainty at any point in the process, back to the drawing board we go.”
The recordings were completed remotely over several years. The final tracks were mixed with care to ensure a cohesive sound that still captured the raw emotion of the performances.
Hope is the underlying theme that runs through KING ULTRAMEGA. It is an offering to longtime fans and an invitation for younger listeners to discover the timeless brilliance of Cornell’s work. “KU is just a blip in the Chris Cornell universe,” Menghi says. “We are a subtle reminder that Chris was a true musical genius.”
For Menghi and his collaborators, KING ULTRAMEGA is both a deeply personal labor of love and one of the greatest honors of their musical lives. “To be here thirty-plus years later paying tribute to whom I believe was the king of those times is one of the greatest musical honors of my life.”
MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S. based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts.
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
