It is a time for reflection. It is a time for change. For many it represents a new beginning, a chance to, if only symbolically, wipe the slate clean and start over. Every single person has a different reason to look forward to a brand New Year. On Thursday December 31st, in Amityville New York, at the Revolution Bar & Music Hall, a very specific type of New Year’s Celebration would take place. A celebration that would surpass most others in sheer volume and pure heaviness. Because on this night some of Heavy Metal’s heaviest hitters in the form of Metal Allegiance would come together to bid farewell to 2015 and inspire all gathered to move into the next chapter of their lives with courage and passion.
It was just in 2014 when music executive Mark Menghi, Alex Skolnick from Testament, Dave Ellefson from Megadeth, and Mike Portnoy from The Winery Dogs decided to form a Heavy Metal cover band. It was not until they discovered their amazing chemistry together did they decide to write a full-length, original album. The album contains a plethora of Metal giants guesting throughout, producing a diverse collection of styles across a vast Metal landscape. The album includes an all star line up of guests consisting of Randy Blythe, Gary Holt, Ben Weinman, Matt Heafy, Bumblefoot, Misha Mansoor, Phil Demmel, Charlie Benante, Cristina Scabbia, Mark Osegueda, Dug Pinnick, Jamey Jasta, Troy Sanders, Chuck Billy, Phil Anselmo, Chris Jericho, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Alissa White-Gluz, Chuck Billy and Steve “Zetro” Souza. On this night, the final one of 2015, the air was charged with excitement and anticipation of a great Metal experience.
Blacque Jacque Shellacque featuring Troy Norr started the festivities with a tribute to King Diamond. Norr, dressed in top coat, face paint and top hat would helm the band the entire night, but not before guest vocalist John O’Malley started the set singing “Queen of the Reich” by Queensryche with incredible power and accuracy. Guitarists John Rup and Geoff Unger, bassist Andy Prezioso and drummer Angel Cotte ripped through “A Mansion in the Darkness” from King Diamond’s 1987 Abigail while Norr drew the crowd ever closer. “Welcome Home,” “The Invisible Guests,” and “Tea” from 1988’s Them gave way to “Melissa” and “The Oath” by Mercyful Fate. The band closed the show with “Come to the Sabbath.” A visual treat, Blacque Jacque Shellacque provided a theatrical experience complete with a coffin and grandma herself in her wheelchair appearing as the main character from the album Them with Norr singing to her, hitting every note. The crowd grew larger and larger and responded loudly as the band put on a great show nailing every nuance.
Second up was the young band from Pennsylvania calling themselves Next to None. Featuring the son of Mike Portnoy, Max, on drums, with Ryland Holland on guitar, Thomas Cuce on keyboards and lead vocals, and Kris Rank on bass, it was an exciting spot for the band to be playing. Making for a dramatic start, Cuce began the set with music from Star Wars, getting the crowds attention right away. Then Portnoy began “Edge of Sanity” with a drum intro that ended with him standing behind the kit looking out into the crowd. As the rest of the band joined, more and more people made their way up to the front of the stage. The band put on a high energy show that engaged the crowd, performing tracks from their debut album A Light in the Dark. They blasted through “Blood on my Hands,” “Control,” and “Social Anxiety,” before playing a cover of Linkin Park’s “One Step Closer.”
Overall, Cuce was impressive behind the keyboards, never staying stationary, moving and singing as the keyboards moved with him. Holland delivered powerful guitar riffs to the growing crowd. Rank provided the heavy as he remained locked in with Portnoy and the rest, anchoring the band. Each original song was unique, received strong reactions from the crowd, and Next to None put on a killer show beyond their years. Young Max Portnoy and Next to None are true showmen with a passion for performance.
Mike Portnoy of the Winery Dogs and now Metal Allegiance, proudly watched his son Max perform from backstage. When it was time for him to take his place behind the drums he was joined by legendary Metal guitarist Alex Skolnick from Testament, vocalist Mark Osegueda from Death Angel, and the catalyst for Metal Allegiance, bassist Mark Menghi. The crowd, eager to welcome a fresh new year in the heaviest way possible, filled all available space at the front of the stage and throughout the entire venue as last minute attendees filled the room.
“Can’t Kill the Devil” from the new album got the room thrashing immediately. The fast, heavy opener gave way to “Creeping Death.” The crowd threw fists in the air and sang along to this Thrash classic by Metallica. Next up the band delivered their version of “The Hellion”/”Electric Eye” by Judas Priest and “The Prisoner” by Iron Maiden. All of the heaviest classic Metal would be on display this night, as evidenced by the next song, Accept’s signature Metal anthem “Balls to the Wall.” Osegueda channeled Udo Dirkschneider as he growled and snarled, turning the mic to the crowd allowing them to help out with the choruses. Switching gears to a slower, heavier pace, it was back to the new album with “Dying Song.” A more deliberate track, it was followed by “Heaven and Hell” by Black Sabbath and Kiss’s “God of Thunder.”
Nearing midnight, the band got the crowd ready by playing Iron Maiden’s “Two Minutes to Midnight” which lasted thirty seconds when suddenly Mike Portnoy stopped and explained that that was as much as they knew of the song. Osegueda asked the crowd if they were ready to celebrate and if they were ready to flush 2015 down the shitter. He went on to say that although it was a great year for Metal Allegiance, we had lost too many dear to us. The Metal world had recently lost Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead. Menghi and many in the crowd honored him by wearing their Motörhead shirts, patches and hats. Shouts of Lemmy could be heard as he continued, “But we’ve got a new fucking year !” Osegueda then decided to lead the crowd in a very Metal thirty second countdown, alternating numbers between himself and the crowd. Portnoy stood with his arm around his son counting down until the confetti popped and everyone sang “Auld Lang Sine,” and hugged wearing hats, blowing horns and celebrating a new beginning, Portnoy, now out front strapped to a bass guitar, looked over at his son Max who had returned to the drums.
The senior Portnoy told the crowd how good it was to play his first ever New Year’s Eve show at home on Long Island. He asked, “what better song to play after ringing in the new year? On cue the younger Portnoy started “Living after Midnight” by Judas Priest. The crowd put their fists in the air as father and son jammed out with Skolnick and Osegueda to one of the most iconic metal songs ever written. The champagne flowed and the celebration continued as Max Portnoy declared to the crowd that he was the first drummer to play with Metal Allegiance in 2016.
Skolnick has stated that his favorite band of all time is Van Halen. “Running with the Devil” followed. While Skolnick had been ripping the entire night showing amazing speed, precision and taste, he elevated during this part of the set as he tore through “Eruption” and straight into “You Really Got Me.” all those gathered watched in awe as one of Metal’s greatest guitarists took them on a ride in an intimate venue on what was then New Year’s day. It was time for Metal Allegiance to tackle the band that started it all. Their performance of “Lord of this World” and “Into the Void” by Black Sabbath was one of the highlights of the evening. Horns flashed and the crowd slowly banged their heads as they sang along to the groove filled doom of Sabbath. “TNT” and “Whole lotta Rosie” by AC/DC, had the audience rocking out shouting “Oy ! Oy ! Oy !” all fists striking the air in unison. “Pledge of Allegiance” was only the third song they played from the new Metal Allegiance album. The night was about a celebration of classic Metal more than promotion.
The Motörhead part of the set was especially heartfelt. Fans reacted strongly to the next two songs shouting Lemmy’s name and singing along throughout “Killed by Death” and “Ace of Spades” in a powerful tribute to one of Metal’s most beloved and iconic figures. A stand out moment on an already amazing night. The band ended the night with “Seek and Destroy” by Metallica. Again drawing a huge reaction as the crowd erupted for the final time. After the applause faded the band took to the crowd to thank them slapping as many hands and pounding as many fists as they could reach.
This New Year’s Eve was one for the ages. An event centered around Heavy Metal to ring in the new year. Too often, Metal heads are relegated to lame New Years eve parties where people are dancing to Pop music or Disco or Rap. Finally a place for the lover of fast, heavy, loud music to celebrate with his and her kind with the people they love and the performers that they idolize. With an open bar and an endless buffet, hats, horns, champagne, and Metal Allegiance, it was a Loud, Fast, and heavy New Year indeed.
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