Jul 062026
 
Lzzy Hale King Ultramega

The Chris Cornell tribute band King Ultramega has released their newest single “Loud Love” and it features members of Halestorm, Testament and Pearl Jam. With Halestorm‘s Lzzy Hale on lead vocals, Testament guitarist guitar Alex Skolnick and former Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen, and King Ultramega’s creator Mark Menghi on bass. The song originally appeared on Soundgarden’s debut album, 1988’s Ultramega OK.

And the contributors on the track were all in. “I feel like I’m always learning something from Chris. Every few years I’ll discover something deeper in his lyrics, or higher in his range,” said Lzzy Hale, “But there is an authenticity that comes with Chris that can’t be taught or trained for.” Krusen, for his part, was thrilled to be able to join together with these particular musicians to record. “The fact that I was asked to be a part of this King Ultramega record was a huge honor,” said Krusen, “I was very intimidated to try and tackle the drum parts in ‘Loud Love.’”

The single, which is out now, is available from Reigning Phoenix Music and proceeds will go towards MusiCares, a group offering emergency support, addiction recovery services and mental health care.

May 082026
 
King Ultramega

Producer Mark Menghi’s all-star Chris Cornell tribute project King Ultramega has released a new song, this one paying tribute to a less explored area of Cornell’s career. Bringing together Brent Hinds, Mastodon‘s lead singer on vocals, Angel Vivaldi on all guitars, Frank Mitaritonna on keyboards, and Kenny Aronoff on drums (along with Menghi on bass,) the group’s newest song is a cover of “Dead Wishes,” which appeared on Higher Truth, the last album released during Cornell’s lifetime.

“I would constantly listen to the original version in moments of clarity, times of reflection, sitting in a sauna post-work out and/or cool down periods, etc. any time I needed to wind down or relax, I listened to it,” said Menghi. “As time went on, I became more and more connected to the song. I just love the simplicity of the song, the depth of the instrumentation, the acoustic guitar tone, etc. when tracking and producing our version, I wanted to stay true to the original but add things I was hearing in my head, hence the violins, cellos, keyboards, percussion, Leslie effects, xylophone, sleigh bells, etc. I wanted to create an atmospheric soundscape that would pay homage to the original.”

The group previously had released a cover of “Rusty Cage,” featuring Alice in Chains singer William Duvall. (It made our list of best covers of the month in February.)

All money raised by sales of the single will benefit MusiCares, which supports mental health services, addiction recovery support, and emergency assistance to members of the musical community.

Mar 032026
 
Sombr
Asher White — Casper (Jessica Pratt cover)


Why does Asher White have a record titled Jessica Pratt? Because, as it turns out, it is a full-length cover of singer-songwriter Jessica Pratt’s 2012 debut record—which happens to be self-titled. Pratt herself approves: “White’s curiously inventive renditions took me by surprise,” she said in a press release. “A broad sweep stylistically and production-wise. Not just homage, but a record in its own right.”

The Belair Lip Bombs — Happiness (The 1975 cover)

“It was the first single that came out of their latest record and I just listened to it for like two years straight,” singer Maisie Everett said of the 1975 song the band covered on Like a Version. “I still do.” Continue reading »