KING ULTRAMEGA have released a powerful interpretation of “Dead Wishes” featuring Brann Dailor (MASTODON) at the helm performing lead vocals. Recorded in loving memory of Chris Cornell KING ULTRAMEGA are also raising funds and awareness for MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s nonprofit that provides mental health services, addiction recovery support, and emergency assistance to members of the music community.
Originally written and performed by Chris Cornell, the compelling, emotive and introspective “Dead Wishes” appears on his 2015 album Higher Truth. In this latest tribute offering from KING ULTRAMEGA, lead vocals are performed by Brann Dailor (MASTODON), with both acoustic and electric guitars performed by Angel Vivaldi. Strings conducted by Mark Menghi in addition to arrangements and composition of all orchestral instruments (including sleigh bells, shakers, hand drums, xylophones, violins, cellos), and bass performance, keyboards provided by Frank Mitaritonna, with drums and percussion by Kenny Aronoff. “Dead Wishes” was produced by Mark Menghi, with the cover artwork created by Costin Chioreanu.
The “Dead Wishes” Lineup Is:
Vocals: Brann Dailor
Acoustic & Electric Guitar: Angel Vivaldi
Bass: Mark Menghi
Keyboards: Frank Mitaritonna
Drums & Percussion: Kenny Aronoff
Producer and bassist Mark Menghi comments on the creative direction and inspiration for the release, “I would constantly listen to the original version in moments of clarity, times of reflection, sitting in a sauna post-work out and/or cool down periods, etc. any time I needed to wind down or relax, I listened to it. As time went on, I became more and more connected to the song. I just love the simplicity of the song, the depth of the instrumentation, the acoustic guitar tone, etc. when tracking and producing our version, I wanted to stay true to the original but add things I was hearing in my head, hence the violins, cellos, keyboards, percussion, Leslie effects, xylophone, sleigh bells, etc. I wanted to create an atmospheric soundscape that would pay homage to the original.”
For Frank Mitaritonna, “Working on ‘Dead Wishes’ showed me the depth of his writing and helped me develop a deeper appreciation from my younger years, only consuming music through MTV or whatever records I could get my hands on. His lyrics are haunting and poetic, but feel relatable and personal which creates an incredibly deep, human experience for me as a listener, before any contributions.”
Kenny Aronoff adds, “Mark’s sound, feel and ideas are perfect on not only this track, but in all the KU tracks I’ve been a part of. When recording a song like this, it’s very important what you don’t play as much as what you decide to play.”
Menghi discusses his decision to recruit Brann Dailor on lead vocals, “As I was thinking on who could potentially sing this song, I heard a version of Mastodon covering “Stairway to Heaven” where Brann is singing lead vox and I just thought to myself “Well, he would be interesting on ‘Dead Wishes’.”
Brann Dailor shares, “First of all, I have to say what an incredible honor to even be asked to try and attempt a cover of one of Chris’s songs. The fact that Mark thought I could even come close to it is beyond flattering, and to be honest, my knee jerk reaction was to say “uh, no thank you, I’m not interested in embarrassing myself if I can help it” haha! The track itself was totally out of my wheelhouse so I thought it would be a great challenge and an opportunity to try to honor one of my favorite musicians and vocalists for a great cause.”
On leaving the drum kit behind, Dailor reveals, “It was actually really freeing, I felt like I could let loose a little bit knowing I wouldn’t have to also be playing drums.”
On balancing the arrangement of guitars on the track, Angel Vivaldi explains, “It’s very much about reading the room in terms of truly listening to what the song wants while being honest with what you have to offer it to expand its possibilities.”
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.”
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