Album review: ELLEFSON – No Cover

Combat Records/earMUSIC [Release date 20.11.20]

Ellefson, the solo band of Megadeth bassist and co-founder David Ellefson, have a double album of covers for your enjoyment. Even the cover artwork is a homage to Def Leppard’s ‘On Through The Night’ album cover.

Ellefson, the band, featue David Ellefson on bass, vocalist Thom Hazaert,gGuitarists Andy Martongelli and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Sons of Apollo, ex-Guns N’ Roses), and drummer Paolo Caridi. They are joined by a variety of guest musicians including Charlie Benante (Anthrax), Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister), Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Frank Hannon and Troy Lucketta (Tesla), Mark Slaughter, Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys), Chuck Behler (ex-Megadeth), Gus G, Doro Pesch, Todd Kerns (Slash & The Conspirators), Andrew Freeman (Last In Line), Al Jourgensen (Ministry), Russ Parrish (Fight, Steel Panther) and more.

Highlights depend on I guess which of the originals you really like. For this reviewer Queen’s ‘Sheer Heart Attack’ is given a very metal makeover and Doro’s vocals add to the song. Good to hear Jason McMaster’s vocals again as he nails AC/DC’s ‘Riff Raff’ and Priest’s ‘Freewheel Burning’, both are impressive versions.

Interesting that a few musicians appear on the originals they played on like Russ Parrish on Fight’s ‘Nailed To The Gun’ (you forget how good some of these songs are!) and Eddie Ojeda on ‘Tear It Loose’. Extra marks for avoiding the obvious covers by bands too.

Curveballs? Cheap Trick’s ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ featuring Ministry’s Al Jourgensen, certainly takes the song to new places and works well. The Sweet’s ‘Sweet FA’ with Todd Kearns on lead vocals sounds suitably metallic and glam at the same time. Some great guitar playing by Bumblefoot on that one too.

Crank it up loud and enjoy! Great fun from beginning to end and a good mix of metal, rock and punk classics. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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