KING ULTRAMEGA (Ft Richie Kotzen , Charlie Benante) Unveils New Single "Say Hello 2 Heaven", In Memory Of Chris Cornell

Alternative rock collective KING ULTRAMEGA, featuring members of ALICE IN CHAINS, ANTHRAX, MASTODON, and SOUNDGARDEN, have unveiled an emotional new rendition of the TEMPLE OF THE DOG classic, "Say Hello 2 Heaven", featuring Richie Kotzen on vocals and guitar. KING ULTRAMEGA crafted this single in loving memory of legendary vocalist Chris Cornell, while raising funds and awareness for MusiCares. MusiCares is the Recording Academy’s nonprofit that provides mental health, addiction recovery, and emergency services to those in the music community. 

Originally written by Chris Cornell as a tribute to MOTHER LOVE BONE vocalist Andrew Wood, KING ULTRAMEGA members Richie Kotzen, Charlie Benante, and Mark Menghi have now reinterpreted "Say Hello 2 Heaven" in memory of Chris Cornell. Richie Kotzen lends his soulful, expressive vocal delivery to the reimagined version of the song, imbuing it with deep personal meaning. Kotzen's performance puts emotional expression over technical preparation, resulting in an honest and moving take on the music.

"I lost my sister to suicide in 2022, and that kind of loss changes how you experience certain songs," Kotzen comments. "It's not something I set out to bring into the session, but it showed up. That's when it stopped feeling like just a tribute and became something more personal."

Bassist and mastermind Mark Menghi knew that "Say Hello 2 Heaven" would become an integral piece of KING ULTRAMEGA from the start, due to its lyrical message. Menghi chose to keep the song's arrangement and structure almost identical to the original, but the band took some creative liberties in lending R&B/soul-inspired stylings to the music. 

Menghi comments, "The lyrical message in 'Say Hello 2 Heaven' strikes a chord when you think back on how Chris wrote about Andrew's untimely passing, and here we are over 30 years later paying tribute to Chris with his song about his untimely passing. It's an emotional rollercoaster to say the least."

ANTHRAX Drummer Charlie Benante immediately agreed to play on "Say Hello 2 Heaven" due to his personal connection with the song. As a longtime fan of MOTHER LOVE BONE, Benante considers "Say Hello 2 Heaven" to be one of his all-time favorite songs.

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."

Lineup for "Say Hello 2 Heaven":
Richie Kotzen - Guitar, Vocals
Mark Menghi - Bass
Charlie Benante - Drums

Connect with King Ultramega:

kingultramega.comApple Music | Spotify | Deezer | Instagram | Facebook | Tiktok | X

KING ULTRAMEGA Partners With Joe Satriani On New Single "Be Yourself", A Heartfelt Tribute to Chris Cornell

Alternative rock collective KING ULTRAMEGA, featuring members of ALICE IN CHAINS, ANTHRAX, MASTODON, and SOUNDGARDEN, have returned with a haunting instrumental rendition of the AUDIOSLAVE classic, "Be Yourself". This new single release once again aims to celebrate Chris Cornell’s musical genius while raising funds and awareness for MusiCares. MusiCares is the Recording Academy’s nonprofit that provides mental health, addiction recovery, and emergency services to those in the music community. 

“Be Yourself” features legendary guitarist Joe Satriani on lead guitar, echoing vocalist Chris Cornell's melodic motifs and building on the song's phrasings. Though following in Cornell's footsteps on a different instrument sounds like a tall order, Satriani rose to the challenge, proud to show his love for a fallen hero. Expertly replicating the essence of the song with crystal-clear lead tones, tasteful vibrato, and subtle pedal effects, Satriani lets his guitar sing with all the passion and tenderness that the song's lyrics originally conveyed. This loving instrumental homage proves that the message and power behind AUDIOSLAVE's composition transcends words.

Satriani comments, "[Chris Cornell] was a brilliant vocalist and communicator. He often used his voice like an instrument, shaping the tone of his voice like a guitarist would finesse riffs and phrases. I took a deep dive into his magical sensibilities and came up with a multi-tracked guitar production approach that I felt would pay proper homage to his brilliance."

The concept for an instrumental rendition of "Be Yourself" originated with the bassist, producer, and mastermind of KING ULTRAMEGA, Mark Menghi. As a producer, he envisioned a version of the song that deftly balanced the art of paying respect to the original, while also reimagining the song with a unique musical voice from Satriani. As a bassist, Menghi strove to keep the bass parts nearly identical to the original song, allowing Satriani the freedom to lend his own voice to the music. Renowned drummer Kenny Aronoff, who has been named one of the greatest drummers of all time by Rolling Stone magazine, and has toured and recorded with a who’s who of legendary artists such as THE ROLLING STONES, THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, PAUL MCCARTNEY, JOHN FOGERTY and many more, provides the laid-back, but emotionally-resonant groove of "Be Yourself", laying the foundation with Menghi for Satriani's melodies to shine.

Menghi comments, "I remember like it was yesterday, I was on a run through some crazy trail,  just zoning out and the original song came on through my headphones… as I was running, I remember hearing Chris sing 'to be yourself is all that you can do' it was like he was talking to me… then thought to myself 'I can totally hear this as an instrumental a-la Satch style'... My hope is that whomever is listening to this song hears Chris over Joe’s guitar and understands that we are paying homage to Chris with our take on this tune."

Aronoff comments, "I listened to 'Be Yourself' over and over again, absorbing the lyrics and the feel and vibe of this song, then I recorded my drums. Their recording had an emotional impact on me and that had a big effect on my performance."

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."

About MusiCares

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.

For more information please visit: www.musicares.org.

Music Row for MusiCares: A Jody Williams Songs Takeover Lights Up Chief’s on July 27

A special evening of songs and stories is set to shine on Broadway this summer as Music Row for MusiCares: A Jody Williams Songs Takeover, presented by the Eric Church Band and Corient, lights up Chief’s on Broadway on Sunday, July 27, 2025. The Eric Church Band (Jeff Cease, Lee Hendricks, Jeff Hyde, John Henry Trinko, Driver Williams, Craig Wright, Joanna Cotten) has organized a cast of some of Nashville’s most dynamic and acclaimed songwriters for a powerful evening of music, storytelling and giving back.

Leading the lineup is Big Machine Records recording artist Jackson Dean (“Don’t Come Lookin’,” “Heaven’s To Betsy”) who will perform along with celebrated Jody Williams Songs writers Driver Williams (“Smoke A Little Smoke,” “Hang Tight Honey”, “Heaven’s To Betsy”), Jason Nix (“Hang Tight Honey,” “Things A Man Oughta Know”) and Jeremy Spillman (“Sinners Like Me,” “Bad Mother Trucker”), plus artists Emily Ann Roberts, Harper O’Neill, Peytan Porter and Andy Austin, along with other very special surprise guests. Collectively, their work has shaped the sound of modern country music, with hits recorded by Eric Church, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, Ashley McBryde, Keith Urban and many more.

Ticket proceeds will benefit MusiCares, a nonprofit that provides vital health and human services to members of the music community.

Since 2012, the Eric Church Band has helped raise more than $3 million through its annual ECB Golf Tournament and Auction, with proceeds benefiting MusiCares. Music Row for MusiCares is a continuation of that mission, extending the band’s legacy of philanthropy and deep connection to the songwriting community.

Members of The Church Choir, Church’s passionate fanbase, can purchase tickets June 4 at 12pm CST. The public on-sale will follow on Friday, June 6 at 12pm CST, with ticket prices starting at $25. There will also be a limited number of pre-show VIP Meet & Greet Experience ticket upgrades available.

About MusiCares
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, independent 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. For more information please visit: www.musicares.org
 
About Jody Williams Songs
Since launching in 2020, Jody Williams Songs has become one of Nashville’s most respected independent music publishers by championing a diverse roster of songwriters, writer-artists and writer-producers. With a “song forward” philosophy that honors the legacy of timeless songwriting, the company is committed to developing music that is high-quality, current and creatively distinctive. By embracing individuality and prioritizing originality over redundancy, Jody Williams Songs continues to shape the future of music—wherever it’s headed. JWS represents songwriters Andy Austin, Ashley McBryde, Driver Williams, Ed Williams, Emily Ann Roberts, Harper O’Neill, Jason Nix, Jeremy Spillman, Natalie Hemby, Peytan Porter and Vince Gill. For more information, visit JodyWilliamsSongs.co.
 
About Corient
Corient Private Wealth LLC is a fiduciary, fee-only national wealth management firm providing comprehensive solutions to ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individual and institutional clients. We combine the personal service, creativity and objective advice of a boutique with the power of experienced advisors, extensive capabilities and custom-built strategies to create a differentiated wealth experience. We focus on exceeding expectations, simplifying lives and establishing lasting legacies. Corient is distinguished by its private partnership model, which fosters collaboration and the shared vision of delivering client excellence. As of March 31, 2025, we have more than 260 partners and over 1,300 employees serving clients across the United States. Headquartered in Miami, Corient is a subsidiary of CI Financial Corp.(TSX: CIX), a global asset and wealth management company. For more information, visit us at corient.com or LinkedIn.

About Chief’s
Chief’s is a six-story bar, restaurant and live music venue designed to celebrate Eric Church’s ever-expanding musical legacy. Located in historic downtown Nashville, Chief features a ticketed music venue, inspirational interiors and a thoughtful focus on unique live performances, offering fans an unparalleled entertainment experience in Music City. Chief’s houses a studio for live broadcasting, inclusive of Church’s Outsiders Radio SiriusXM channel, with the capability of hosting broadcasts by various media partners. Chief’s also features a restaurant partnership with James Beard Award Winning Pitmaster Rodney Scott. Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ overlooks downtown with its ‘Hell of a Q’ rooftop offering. Situated at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Broadway, Chief’s is now open at 200 Broadway.

Lzzy Hale of Halestorm Partners with Strung Guitar String Jewelry Line for a Good Cause

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Lzzy Hale from the record-breaking Grammy Award-winning platinum rock band Halestorm has joined forces with the Guitar String Jewelry Company, Strüng. Lzzy's played guitar strings, turned into bad ass rock jewelry, will raise money for MusiCares.

The one of a kind, limited edition necklaces and bracelets are made from the donation of guitar strings from Lzzy's played guitars from stage. Each string is hand wound into a piece of jewelry by the Guitar String Jewelry Company, Strüng. Each purchase includes an official autographed authenticity card verifying Lzzy's played strings.

Co-owner of Strüng / Blameshift vocalist Jenny Mann says, “I've always looked up to and respected Lzzy. She is one of the most down to earth people in the industry aside from being an insanely talented female vocalist. We are so grateful to have her on board and can't wait to see what the future holds."

Check out what Lzzy Hale from Halestorm had to say:

Shop the Jewelry:

https://getstrung.com/

Grammy-Award winning band Halestorm has grown from a childhood dream of siblings Lzzy and Arejay Hale into one of the most celebrated rock bands of the last two decades. Currently at work on their as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2018’s Vicious, the band recently gave fans a sneak peek with the first single, "Back From The Dead," called "a biting but cathartic howler about overcoming all obstacles" by Rolling StoneVicious earned the band their second Grammy nomination, for Best Hard Rock Performance for the song “Uncomfortable,” the band’s fourth #1 at rock radio, and led Loudwire to name Halestorm “Rock Artist of the Decade” in 2019. Fronted by the incomparable Lzzy Hale with drummer Arejay Hale, guitarist Joe Hottinger, and bass player Josh SmithHalestorm's music has surpassed a billion streams, and the band has earned a reputation as a powerful live music force, headlining sold-out shows and topping festival bills around the world, and sharing the stage with icons including Heaven & HellAlice Cooper, and Joan Jett.

Catch Halestorm on tour with Evanescence this Fall!

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SLAY AT HOME Virtual Metal & Art Fest Announces First Wave Of Bands, More Each Day

Frank Godla of Metal Injection presents the Slay At Home Festival: A Virtual Metal & Art experience with never before seen performances right from the homes ...

Frank Godla of music media outlet Metal Injection, is proud to announce Slay At Home, the first of its kind metal music and art festival, in support of MusiCares and Global Giving. Taking inspiration from some of Godla’s favorite European festivals, Slay At Home will be an artfully curated two-day livestream event with exclusive never-before-seen performances from over 30 bands, a dozen cover song collaborations, commissioned music from artists that will debut at the fest, special guest appearances, art installations and much more.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has affected nearly everyone on the planet, and sadly some of the last people to get their lives back will be the ones we depend on to get us through these times,” says Godla. “I wanted to create a platform that aids artists, their crew, and global healthcare efforts alike. The experience of a live concert is irreplaceable, but my aim with Slay At Home is to provide every person in the world an experience they haven’t seen yet, right from their own devices. I’ve never been more proud to be part of the metal community and have so many great friends willing to join the fun, as we support two great organizations.”

The Slay At Home virtual livestream is set to air on May 29th & 30th at the Metal Injection YouTube page for free, in an effort to raise funds for the MusiCares Covid-19 Relief Fund helping artists, crew and industry workers during financial crisis, as well as the Global Giving Coronavirus Relief Fund, an organization helping front line workers in need during the crisis. You can more information about the fest, and donate at the festival website www.slayathomefest.com

Slay At Home has announced the first wave of bands, with more each day through May 22nd. 

The initial initial release include never before seen performances from the homes of:

Tesseract

Darkest Hour

Twelve Foot Ninja

O'Brother

Der Weg einer Freiheit

Silvertomb

Astronoid

Contracult Collective

Myrone

A.A. Williams

There will also be commissioned music created by curated groups, set to debut at the festival. The first group announced includes: 

Luc Lemay (Gorguts)

Dave Davidson (Revocation / Gargoyl)

Liam Wilson (Azusa, The Dillinger Escape Plan)

Elliot Hoffman (Carbomb) 

There will be a dozen brand new cover collaborations, with over 40 musicians. The first names released are: 

Pustulus Maximus (GWAR) 

Tiziano Volante (Zeal & Ardor)

Trevor Strnad (The Black Dahlia Murder)

Sacha Dunable (Intronaut)

Johnny Kelly (Silvertomb / Type O Negative)

Ash Pearson (Revocation)

Brody Uttely (Rivers Of Nihil)

The initial announcement also includes special guest appearances from

Jessica Pimentel (Orange Is The New Black), GostCharlie Benante (Anthrax) Along with art installations from Vincent CastigliaTrine GrimmJodi Cachia

There will be new bands, musicians, artists and special guests announced every day at the Slay At Home Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as thee festival website www.slayathomefest.com