As I mentioned plenty of times in past articles, the NAMM Show is like Christmas to me. Seeing all the sick merch and new instruments being introduced to us fans/reviewers/influencers is a wonderful sight to behold. Another aspect of NAMM that fans love is the nearly endless concerts that are happening around the area and Los Angeles. On January 24, Rabit and I witnessed a mastery in guitar work with the NAMM Guitar Fest. That show was a lot of fun, but before we saw that spectacle, we saw another show the night before at the famous House of Blues in Anaheim. For all metalheads out there who is reading this, you know what I am talking about. Freakin’ Metal Allegiance. The famed all-star metal jam band made their annual triumphant return to the venue, showcasing their extreme talent with originals and covers. For the past NAMM shows we have been to prior to COVID, Metal Allegiance was the event that got me in the mood for the festivities that were to come. Helping the group usher in a NAMM era were Wicked and OTTTO.
Hitting the stage was a group who is heavily inspired by the glam metal scene, Wicked. The foursome hailing from Rochester, New York brought the one thing that has been lacking with a lot of the younger groups…energetic rock ‘n’ roll! I first caught Wicked performing at this year’s Heavy Metal Hall of Fame, and that was just an appetizer of what to expect from “The Last American Rock Band.” Frontman/rhythm guitarist Chad Michael, lead axe man Scotty V, bassist Danny Doll, and drummer Gunnar Coston brought the House of Blues a much-needed jolt of rocking excitement. Their stage presence along with skillful playing was an homage to the old school ways while incorporating some new school styles. If KISS and Ziggy Stardust had a baby, Wicked is what you can expect. Every song they performed made every fan inside rock their guts out. From “Bones” to “Sinner,” “Hellraiser,” “Obsession,” “Destroyer,” and “Reptile Roots,” Wicked made us all feel…wicked! They got a bad reputation, and it’s only gonna make them legends.
Up next is Venice’s unique rock blenders OTTTO. What makes them unique is how they can cook together different styles like thrash, punk, funk, metal, and straight up rock, then it comes out the oven very succulent. Helping them create that impactful sound is their bassist Tye Trujillo, son of legendary Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo. Just like his father, he is a funk metal machine that plucks blast beats that makes the tunes groovier. Their drummer Triko Chavez was a wrecking machine behind the kit, while guitarist Matt Armstrong smoked the riffs that had a heavy blues/grunge feel. That sound coming from his guitar made the music that much more metal. Frontman Bryan Ferretti roared with conviction as he yelled the words out, although I thought his stage presence was weak. He looked kind of stiff on stage, but that did not stop him from conquering OTTTO’s set. From “Skyscraper” to “Cosmos,” “Dance of the Dead,” “My Pain,” “Night Howlers,” “Let Them Return,” and “Ride Low,” funk metal was in full force thanks to OTTTO. I will be watching them with much anticipation.
After a brief intermission to gather what remaining energy we had, the metal faithful of Anaheim were ready as Metal Allegiance reappeared. Just like Michael Jackson brought together USA for Africa to create “We Are the World,” Allegiance founder and bassist Mark Menghi brought together metal legends to create, well…metal greatness. What I love about Metal Allegiance is that it is a revolving door for different artists to contribute to the group, whether they are a singer, guitarist, bassist, or drummer. The main core members include Testament’s lead guitarist Alex Skolnick, Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, and Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. Along with Menghi, metal’s star shined brighter. Each year, old faces as well as new ones come in and lay down their skills for the fans to enjoy hearing. For singers, Metal Allegiance proudly presented Accept’s Mark Tornillo, Armored Saint’s John Bush, Mastodon’s Troy Sanders, Overkill’s Bobby Blitz, Havok’s Davis Sanchez, Sepultura’s Derrick Green, and Arch Enemy’s Alissa White-Gluz (recent Heavy Metal Hall of Famer). To help Skolnick with the guitar licks & riffs, we had Exodus/Slayer’s Gary Holt, Sepultura’s Andres Kisser, Nevermore’s Jeff Loomis, Black Dahlia Murder’s Brandon Ellis, Marty Friedman, Angel Vivaldi, Bad Wolves Doc Coyle, and the Iron Maidens’ Alyssa Day. Along with Exodus bassist Jack Gibson, the Allegiance was complete.
Right from the first song, “Pledge of Allegiance,” we all pledged ourselves to the group’s cause to kick off NAMM weekend and promote heavy metal greatness. With each new song, there was a musician rotation that would strengthen the tune that was being performed. Whether it was an original or cover, Metal Allegiance would knock it out of the venue. From Accept’s “Fast as a Shark” to “Terminal Illusion,” Van Halen’s “Light Up the Sky,” “Liars & Thieves,” “Let Darkness Fall,” KISS’ “Parasite,” “The Accuser,” “Bound By Silence,” Anthrax’s “Hy Pro Glo,” Ted Nugent’s “Want Dang Sweet Poontang,” “Mother of Sin,” Sepultura’s “Territory,” Megadeth’s “Symphony of Destruction,” Judas Priest’s “Dissident Aggressor,” and Iron Maiden’s “Killers,” there was something for every metal fan to hear. When they went into Black Sabbath’s “War Pig,” we got the surprise of the evening with the sudden appearance of Metallica’s Robert Trujillo. Metal Allegiance ended their pledge with everyone on stage to perform Motörhead’s “Iron Fist,” which brought the house down.
I tell you what, Metal Allegiance is always the best way to kick off NAMM weekend. Their music gets our blood boiling, ready to take on the challenge of walking the whole convention. I do not have much to end it this article on save this: 2025 will be the year where NAMM finally returns to normal since the Pandemic, and Metal Allegiance helped make it normal. To Metal Allegiance, OTTTO, and Wicked, I salute you. Horns up!!!
Photos by Matt 'Rabit' Martinez
