Chris Cornell tribute project King Ultramega has unveiled its latest Soundgarden cover, a rendition of “Loud Love” featuring Halestorm singer Lzzy Hale and original Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen alongside bassist Mark Menghi and Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick.
Hale’s fierce vocal delivery comes close to matching the incredible range and jaw-dropping force of Cornell (both the Halestorm singer and the late Soundgarden frontman made Consequence‘s list of the 100 Best Vocalists of All Time). The drum, bass, and guitar interplay matches the sludgy psychedelia of the Soundgarden original, landing somewhere between Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and early Melvins.
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Hale stated, “I don’t think I’ve ever been a good imitator, but I did try to put myself in Chris’ shoes. It’s more about placing yourself inside the song so you can steal its soul. I like to imagine I am the writer and then go about making it my own whilst honoring the original. 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. But there is an authenticity that comes with Chris that can’t be taught or trained for. I believe every word he writes. I’m inspired by his control over his animalistic vocal range, and his poetry, but also how honestly he sings.”
Menghi, who curates the King Ultramega project, added, “It was very important to me to keep this particular song as old school as possible. I wanted to catch the warmth, vibe and feel of the original track which meant (to me) recording to tape, in the same room together and live. Imagine that? A world where you record with other humans in the same room and in analog no less! Reel-to-reel tape recording is a lost art form and was very excited to go back to the recording days of the past for this track. Alex and I are no strangers in recording together; but this was the first time we have ever recorded live together, with real amps blasting and the tape machine running. Truly was a special feel, to capture that live energy.”
Previous covers by King Ultramega include “Rusty Cage,” “The Day I Tried to Live,” and “Dead Wishes.”
Check out the music video for King Ultramega’s cover of “Loud Love” below.
