METAL ALLEGIANCE — with its four core members: David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT), Mike Portnoy (THE WINERY DOGS, ex-DREAM THEATER) and Mark Menghi — began as a celebration of heavy metal, powered by the almost tribal bond shared between the extreme music community's most revered trailblazers, armed with a list of contributors onstage (and off) that read like a Wikipedia entry on the genre itself. The band will release its sophomore album, "Volume II - Power Drunk Majesty", on September 7 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The thrash-worshiping disc merges old-school legends with the modern metallers of the scene to produce groove-driven, adrenaline-soaked anthems while tackling the frustrating state of the world. Last week, the band released its second single, "Voodoo Of The Godsend", featuring Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, SEPULTURA, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY). A new trailer for the disc in which Cavalera discusses his involvement with the project can be seen below. Menghi comments: "'Voodoo' turned out to be a tribal crusher ala some other influential tribal metal band that we all know and love whom once featured Max. "We live in a world of way too much bullshit and hate these days… and, as our drummer would say, it's nice to have a step towards world peace." Skolnick comments: "One of the most distinct tracks on our new album (and indeed, in the entire METAL ALLEGIANCE catalogue), 'Voodoo' has a hypnotic feel with indigenous percussion, bringing to mind a ritual in the rainforest. "We're grateful to have the ultimate voice for this track, with a sound that'll ll never be mistaken for anyone else: Max Cavalera." Other guest musicians on "Volume II - Power Drunk Majesty" include Trevor Strnad (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER), John Bush (ARMORED SAINT), Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (OVERKILL), Mark Tornillo (ACCEPT), Floor Jansen (NIGHTWISH) and Johan Hegg (AMON). The album also marks the return of Mark Oseguesda (DEATH ANGEL) and Troy Sanders (MASTODON). The official video for the first single from the disc, "Mother Of Sin", featuring Ellsworth, can also be seen below. "Volume II - Power Drunk Majesty" was produced by Menghi and Skolnick while Mark Lewis of MRL Studios handled the mixing and mastering. The cover artwork was created by renowned artist Marcelo Vasco (SLAYER, MACHINE HEAD, SOULFLY, HATEBREED) and Rafael Tavares. "Volume II - Power Drunk Majesty" track listing: 01. The Accuser (feat. Trevor Strnad) 02. Bound By Silence (feat. John Bush) 03. Mother Of Sin (feat. Bobby Blitz) 04. Terminal Illusion (feat. Mark Tornillo) 05. King With A Paper Crown (feat. Johan Hegg) 06. Voodoo Of The Godsend (feat. Max Cavalera) 07. Liars & Thieves (feat. Troy Sanders) 08. Impulse Control (feat. Mark Osegueda) 09. Power Drunk Majesty (Part I) (feat. Mark Osegueda) 10. Power Drunk Majesty (Part II) (feat. Floor Jansen)
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