Metal Allegiance turns House of Blues into a brotherhood of riffs, power precision, and community on a night built for old school true believers.
Metal Allegiance doesn’t operate like a typical band, and that’s precisely why their live shows feel less like concerts and more like communal events. The collective brought their rotating cast of metal veterans to the House of Blues, transforming the Anaheim venue into a roaring celebration of the genre’s past, present, and enduring sense of brotherhood.
Founded as a passion project rather than a commercial enterprise by singer-songwriter Mark Menghi, bassist David Ellefson, guitarist Alex Skolnick, and drummer Mike Portnoy, Metal Allegiance thrives on chemistry and shared history. That spirit was evident from the opening moments of the annual show, which coincided with the NAMM trade show, as the stage filled with musicians trading riffs, smiles, and knowing glances. The sound was muscular and authoritative, rooted in classic thrash and heavy metal but delivered with the polish and confidence of players who’ve spent decades refining their craft.
But before the all-star headliners took the stage, they shared the spotlight with three other bands. The first was Lost Legacy from The Bronx. The journeyman band wasted little time setting an aggressive tone. Leaning into classic heavy metal foundations with an old school edge, the band delivered sharp, disciplined riffs and a confident stage presence that belied their opening-slot status. Their songs emphasized melody as much as muscle, warming up the crowd with driving rhythms and a clear reverence for traditional metal structures. By the end of their set, Lost Legacy had successfully pulled early arrivals toward the stage, signaling that the night was already underway in earnest.
Next to the stage was Red Reign, another journeyman melodic hard rock band from Richmond, VA. They blended classic 1980s rock influences with a steering into contemporary sound. The band’s tight execution and relentless pacing ignited cheers from the mostly middle-aged crowd. Their no-frills approach felt purposeful rather than chaotic. Red Reign played with conviction, offering a set that felt less like an opening act and more like a statement of intent.
The final opening set before the headliners nearly stole the night. With youthful urgency and a sharp modern thrash attack, Chained Saint injected fresh energy into the House of Blues. The remarkably young South Florida band delivered a blistering set that bridged classic thrash traditions with today’s more aggressive, high-speed edge. Frontman Sean Sterling’s boundless enthusiasm proved infectious, his commanding presence igniting both the stage and the crowd. Already drawing attention from industry heavyweights and earning support slots with established metal acts, Chained Saint used this performance to demonstrate exactly why their name continues to circulate. On this night, their set felt less like an opening act and more like a declaration of arrival.
Finally, it was time for the arrival of the headliners, Metal Allegiance. Their setlist leaned heavily on originals, songs designed to showcase interplay rather than spotlight a single ego. Tight, galloping rhythms collided with blistering lead work, while the vocals – handled by a rotating lineup – gave each song a distinct personality. Rather than feeling disjointed, the constant shifting created momentum, keeping the crowd alert and engaged as the lineup evolved with each song.
The House of Blues proved an ideal setting for the night. Its intimate layout allowed fans to feel close to the action, and the sound mix balanced power with clarity, ensuring every drum hit and harmonized guitar line landed with impact. The audience responded accordingly, fists raised, heads nodding in unison, as if participating in a ritual as much as a show.
Between songs, there was an easy camaraderie onstage. Brief introductions and expressions of gratitude underscored that this project exists because of mutual respect – between musicians and toward the fans who support heavy music in all its forms. It was a refreshing contrast to the hyper-produced spectacle that dominates many large-scale tours; Metal Allegiance’s strength lies in authenticity.
Covers and tributes were woven seamlessly into the set, serving as nods to the bands and scenes that shaped everyone involved. These moments drew especially loud reactions as the crowd recognized familiar structures refracted through the collective’s unified force. Rather than nostalgia for its own sake, the selections felt like acknowledgments of lineage, reinforcing metal as a living, evolving tradition.
By the time the final notes rang out, the room felt spent in the best way – sweaty, satisfied, and connected. Metal Allegiance may be a supergroup on paper, but live, they function more like a gathering of equals, bonded by volume, precision, and shared purpose. The House of Blues wasn’t just a venue; it was a meeting ground for true believers who were reminded why this music continues to matter.
METAL ALLEGIANCE
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