On January 23, 2025, the walls of the House of Blues shook under the force of pure heavy metal mayhem. Metal Allegiance, the ultimate supergroup of metal luminaries, delivered an unbelievable performance that set Anaheim ablaze on a chilly Thursday evening in downtown Disney. The air was electric as a near sold-out crowd was ready to immerse itself in a night of unrelenting energy, metal fellowship, and sonic thunder. From the first crushing riff to the final encore, this wasn’t just a concert—it was a communion of metalheads paying tribute to the genre that defined a generation.
The evening began with three heavy hitters that each brought something different to the Metal Allegiance bill. Lost Legacy opened and immediately roared to life with raw power, delivering a set packed with fiery intensity and booming riffs that reminded me of classic ’80s metal, reminiscent of bands like Krokus and Accept. Wicked was up next, and they didn’t just take the stage—they owned it. Their sound and look took me back to Poison’s early days, and I just couldn’t get enough of it. Ottto wrapped up pre-festivities and shook the House of Blues with a crunchy metal that was a perfect segway to the night’s main attraction. By the time their final note rang out, the crowd was whipped into a frenzied storm of headbanging, fully primed for the spectacle that was about to unfold—the mighty Metal Allegiance.
When the lights dimmed and Metal Allegiance stormed the stage, the energy in the room surged to another level. Opening with the ferocious “Pledge of Allegiance,” they immediately set a tone of unrelenting aggression and technical brilliance. The chemistry among the lineup of seasoned legends was impossible to ignore—each member brought their unique talents to the forefront, creating a synergy that no single metal band could replicate.
Alex Skolnick was a runaway highlight, his guitar wizardry leaving the crowd utterly spellbound. Whether shredding through face-melting solos or locking into chugging rhythms, his performance was a masterclass in guitar heroics. There were jaw-dropping moments during tracks like Van Halen’s “Light up the Sky” where his dexterity and fluidity had the audience scrambling to capture videos of his epic EVH solo. I love the passion Skolnick plays with—simply an incredible guitarist and even better person off the stage.
Meanwhile, David Ellefson and Mark Menghi anchored every song with their signature sounds, providing the spine for the madness of mayhem unfolding before and ever-growing crowd. Ellefson was a driving force on fan-favorite tracks like Megadeth’s “Symphony of Destruction,” and Menghi ripped the cap off the ball during an incredible cover of Metallica’s “Disposable Heroes.” Both bassists cranked out pulsating basslines that shook the venue and provided the pulsating crowd a reason to stay locked in.
The rotating vocalists provided fans with a kaleidoscope of styles, keeping the performance dynamic and fresh. Bobby Blitz’s fierce delivery on Ted Nugent’s “Wang Dang Sweet Poontang” was simply incredible, summing the fierce intensity of the Motor City Madman himself. John Bush, on the other hand, brought a grittier, classic edge with his booming vocals during tracks like Iron Maiden’s “Killers” and MA track “Bound by Silence.” These vocalists, along with many others such as Alissa White-Gluz (whom I feel is one of the best metal vocalists on the planet today), harnessed incredible vocal interplay with and ever-changing band (and fans) throughout the evening. To all in attendance, these performances highlighted the immense metal diversity that filled the room on Thursday night.
Then there was Mike Portnoy, a relentless machine behind the drum kit. For every intricate fill and bone-crushing beat, he seemed to have an endless reservoir of energy, as if the grooves were pouring directly from his soul. Tracks like Metal Allegiance’s “Liars & Thieves” and Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” became rhythmically hypnotic thanks to his inventive, hard-hitting approach. Probably my all-time favorite drummer and it’s not even close. He’s the quintessential rock and roll mad scientist that brings every song he plays to new and elevated heights.
One of the night’s most unforgettable moments for me came during a blistering cover of the Exodus classic, “A Lesson in Violence.” It was pure communal magic, as hundreds of voices in a now packed pit fused into one, belting the iconic verses out with everything they had. To me, it seemed like Gary Holt was channeling the crowd’s high-octane energy, bursting into his signature solos while pummeling those in the front row with sheer guitar genius that melted unsuspecting fans within seconds. I felt Holt ultimately elevated a track he calls his own to new heights, and was once again one of my favorite performers of the evening. Holt Awaits!
As the show was coming to a fevered close, the stage was spontaneously engulfed by all of Thursday night’s performers for an insane cover of the Motorhead classic, “Iron Fist.” The medley was the perfect finale, paying homage to one of the greats in a whirlwind of nostalgia and reverence. Those final moments felt almost spiritual, as generations of metal fans raised their horns in unison, united by their shared passion for the genre, Lemmy, and Metal Allegiance.
Metal Allegiance’s performance on that January night was more than just a show; it was a triumphant celebration of heavy metal as a genre, a culture, and a family. The night highlighted not only the undeniable power of its core members but of the genre’s ability to unite diehard fans. It was a reminder of why we’re drawn to metal in the first place—the adrenaline, the catharsis, the sense of belonging. Metal Allegiance gave us 21 undeniable hits on Thursday night, but more importantly provided us a reminder that Metal still rules all.
OTTTO
WICKED
LOST LEGACY
