Metal Allegiance – Metal Allegiance (Nuclear Blast)

Genre: Heavy Metal

There are supergroups. And then there are heavy duty, potentially devastating supergroups clad in layers of impenetrable metal and boasting the reputation and experience mere pretenders can only dream of.

Metal Allegiance – as their no-nonsense name suggests – fall comfortably into the latter category. Spearheaded by various members of Megadeth, Testament and The Winery Dogs, their imposing material is supplemented by a Who’s Who of heavy music.

Contributors include Phil Anselmo, Charlie Benante, Chuck Billy and Randall Blythe to name but a few. The list is endless – as is the potential for this ego-less collective of pulverising professionals.

Opener Gift Of Pain is a gloriously in-your-face statement of intent: it could be deemed clichéd were it not for a genuinely furious refrain. Can’t Kill The Devil relies heavily on trad metal’s punishing past and the three-part Triangulum packs an absorbing punch.

There are great metal albums. And then there is the Metal Allegiance album. It defines a genre – a genre that’s clearly in rude health right now.

RUSHONROCK RATED: 9/10 Polished Metal