A newly formed supergroup is making waves in the music scene, comprised of talented members from Alice in Chains, Anthrax, Metal Allegiance, and Mastodon. The band, known as King Ultramega, has taken on a powerful classic from the grunge era, paying tribute to a late musical icon while raising funds for a worthy cause. Their rendition of Soundgarden’s iconic track “Rusty Cage” aims to support the MusiCares organization.

This dynamic four-piece band features the remarkable Alice in Chains vocalist William DuVall, Mastodon guitarist Bill Kelliher, Metal Allegiance bassist Mark Menghi, and the celebrated drummer Charlie Benante from Anthrax and Pantera. The track has been expertly mixed by Josh Wilbur.

“Rusty Cage” serves as the inaugural release from King Ultramega, with plans to feature various artists on each subsequent single. This initiative is designed to honor the musical brilliance of the legendary Chris Cornell, the frontman of Soundgarden. Each release will not only raise essential funds but also elevate awareness for the MusiCares organization, supported by the Recording Academy to provide vital mental health and addiction recovery services.

Don’t miss out on experiencing the first single from King Ultramega, “Rusty Cage,” available for listening below.

Listen to King Ultramega’s Powerful Cover of “Rusty Cage”

Discover the Unique Approach Behind King Ultramega’s “Rusty Cage” Cover

The talented four-piece ensemble has wholeheartedly embraced the challenge of reimagining this classic track. DuVall expressed his enthusiasm for the cover, stating, “I embraced my deep love for the song and my profound respect for Chris Cornell. The instrumental version provided by Bill, Charlie, and Mark closely mirrored the original, so I felt it was best for my vocals to remain in that stylistic realm as well.”

He continued, “Participating in this project was driven simply by the desire to tackle an exciting challenge during a time when much of the world was in lockdown. I had no specific expectations beyond sharing it on social media five years ago. However, if this release can help promote the valuable work done by MusiCares, I am fully supportive of that.”

“Chris Cornell’s remarkable voice and influential presence impacted countless individuals, including everyone at MusiCares. His legacy has long been a champion of our mission, and it’s incredibly meaningful to witness it continue through a project that fosters connection, awareness, and hope within the music community,” remarked Theresa Wolters, Interim Executive Director and VP of Health & Human Services at MusiCares, the charitable partner for this song.

Uncovering the Origins of King Ultramega’s Formation

Bassist Mark Menghi, who played a pivotal role as both producer and the driving force behind this project, shared insights into the formation of King Ultramega. He explained, “There was no singular moment that catalyzed this project. Instead, a series of events ultimately led to the creation of King Ultramega and the ongoing endeavor to honor the voice of a generation.”

The inspiration began in 2020 during the pandemic when Menghi recorded a version of “Rusty Cage” with friends. This initial effort sparked an idea to expand the collaboration to include other talented musicians while paying homage to the artistry of Chris Cornell.

“I constantly wrestled with the mental hurdle of ‘you are venturing into uncharted territory; are you certain you want to pursue this?’” Menghi reflected. “Covering a song by Chris Cornell demands that you do it justice.”

The choice to honor Chris Cornell was deeply personal for Menghi. He expressed, “I have navigated some extremely challenging moments in my life. I shouldn’t be here right now, but I am. I like to think that my past struggles have granted me a deeper understanding of Chris, which ultimately contributed to the emergence of King Ultramega.”

Exploring the Diverse Talents Under the King Ultramega Banner

While DuVall, Benante, and Kelliher collaborated with Menghi on “Rusty Cage“, future releases from King Ultramega are set to feature a broader array of musicians. Notably, Kim Thayil from Soundgarden is among those joining the project.

“When Kim became involved and re-recorded one of his own tracks, I knew we were onto something special,” Menghi remarked. Thayil expressed, “I’m incredibly honored to record alongside the talented musicians involved in the King Ultramega project. It brings me immense pride that we are celebrating Soundgarden and the songwriting brilliance of Chris Cornell. Remarkably, everyone’s involvement supports the mission of the MusiCares Foundation.”

READ MORE: Chris Cornell Changed Bandmate’s Mind About Rock Hall Induction

Additional notable musicians participating in this tribute include Joe Satriani, Alissa White-Gluz, and Kenny Aronoff.

“Each artist brings their unique musical flair to the project,” Menghi elaborated. “You truly hear the best of each participant. These are musicians who played a significant role in shaping musical genres and influencing their respective generations in popular culture, extending beyond music to impact society as a whole.”

In addition to celebrating Soundgarden, King Ultramega is also drawing inspiration from Chris Cornell‘s work with Audioslave, Temple of the Dog, and his solo career.

If you enjoyed the captivating sounds of the King Ultramega rendition of “Rusty Cage“, you can find it available across multiple music platforms.